UCSB EXPERTS SHARE RESEARCH FINDINGS ON HMOS

John Lammers, associate professor of communication, and H.E. (Ted) Frech III, professor of economics, at UC Santa Barbara, will launch the 1999-2000 series of the UCSB Town Forum program with an in-depth discussion on health maintenance organizations on Dec. 1.

The program, "What You Should Know About HMOs," will take place at 5:30 p.m. at the University Club, 1332 Santa Barbara St.

A social mixer will precede the program at 5:15 p.m.

Lammers and Frech will look at the HMO industry from two perspectives: physician satisfaction and health-care provider marketability. Lammers recently surveyed local physicians on whether they were satisfied with the way the HMO industry has affected physicians' careers, while Frech has studied how managed care has impacted the distance patients must travel to the hospital.

Lammers holds a Ph.D. in sociology from UC Davis and conducted post-doctoral research at Stanford University on mental health and medical care systems. He teaches and studies health organizations, non-profit institutions, organizational communication and climate, and leadership.

He also directs the UCSB Graduate Program in Management Practice, a year-old program that provides Ph.D. students with a supplemental education in business management.

Frech, who holds a Ph.D. in economics from UCLA, is also an adjunct scholar at the American Enterprise Institute and adjunct professor at the Sciences Politique de Paris.

His research has focused on the effect of health insurance, including HMOS and preferred provider organizations (PPOs), on health-care efficiency and competition.

Frech has published more than 90 articles and books on industrial organization, health economics and other topics. During the early 1970s, he served as an economist for the federal Department of Health, Education and Welfare.

The UCSB Town Forum program brings together business, professional and other interested persons in meaningful discussion with members of the UCSB faculty on matters of current interest to the community.

Sponsored by the UCSB General Affiliates and the UCSB Office of Community Relations, tickets are $5 for affiliates and Chancellor's Council members, and $8 for non-members. For more information, call 893-4388.

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