Dr. Beth Haynes was one featured speakers at the AANS conference in Los Angeles. The Socioeconomic Section session of the AANS meeting had a variety of speakers. Dr. Jim Hinsdale gave a brief overview of recent US health policy initiatives and changes. Dr. Haynes spoke on the inadequate and imbalanced health policy instruction on US medical school campuses. A neurosurgeon from Bolivia presented on his very low cost neurosurgery procedures (craniotomy for less than $320). A variety of other speakers presented original research on patient satisfaction and tools for predicting surgical outcomes. The final speaker discussed the lack of women pursuing neurosurgical careers and the paucity of female neurosurgeons in academia and leadership positions.