The purpose of The Society of Entrepreneurs is
to educate and encourage entrepreneurship.

By James Dowd

Friday, February 19, 2010

Warning that the country’s health care system is “absolutely broken,” local physician and minister Dr. Scott Morris called on business leaders Thursday to step up efforts to effect change.

One way to begin, Morris said, is by urging state legislators to support The Regional Medical Center at Memphis.

“If The Med implodes, it will be like the levees breaking in New Orleans and it will flood everyone in this room,” Morris told a sold-out luncheon at the monthly meeting of the Society of Entrepreneurs.

“This is a really big issue and your voices need to be heard. Health care for the poor in this city is the worst it’s ever been, and the reality of that affects everyone in Memphis.”

Morris, founder and executive director of the Church Health Center, and Dr. William H. West, chairman emeritus of the West Clinic and chairman of The Prevention Group, were keynote speakers at the program that focused on health care issues in the business community.

Retired executive George Cates called The Med’s woes an item of concern for all local business leaders.

“Everyone at this meeting should get in touch with their legislators and convince them how important this is to Memphis,” Cates said. “Failure would be a civic catastrophe affecting all in this county and region. The Church Health Center and other fine faith-based organizations are swamped and cannot alone carry the wildly escalating burden of good health care for the uninsured poor.”

In addition to addressing health care costs for the poor and uninsured, Morris and West encouraged entrepreneurs to promote and reward healthy lifestyles and preventive measures for employees. Attacking the county’s childhood obesity rate is central to lowering overall health care costs, West added.

“I’m a big proponent of working with wellness programs because there is a huge return on that investment,” West said. “We must begin at the cultural and community levels to promote healthful habits.”

Ultimately, the health care dialogue will force change, West said. And now is the time, he added, for business leaders to voice their opinions on what those changes will look like.

“All of us are tired of people going bankrupt because of unexpected health care issues,” West said. “We’re at an interesting moment in our democracy when people are asking why health care is so expensive. We must continue to try to lower those costs.”

– James Dowd: 529-2737

Society of Entrepreneurs upcoming event

What: “Funding for Early Stage Businesses” panel discussion

When: Noon, March 18

Where: Site to be determined

Cost: $25, lunch included; must register by March 16

Details: Call 682-9920 or send an e-mail to pearson@soememphis.com