I have now been on HPN for 17 years. During those years I've adapted and changed as advances in medicine and technology have offered more understanding of my needs and greater advantages to my overall health and lifestyle. In comparison to 1986, living with HPN is far less restrictive. The issues addressed at this conference go beyond questions of immediate survival and whether or not HPN consumers can participate in work or recreational activities. We are now addressing questions of long term survival, oral nutrition, and reducing and sometimes eliminating dependency on HPN through carefully constructed diets.
Consumers talk of career goals, pregnancies, cruise ship vacations and international travel.
During these past 17 years, I've seen all of these advances in medicine and technology evolve in the midst of, and sometimes in spite of, a very different health care and insurance industry climate. I am not an expert on either health care or insurance, however, I have by circumstance, become familiar with both industries. I have listened to many consumer stories and I have learned from each of them. My comments today reflect a few of the challenges I hear replayed many times. The health insurance industry has changed and its impact on health care is already evident.