Commonwealth Fund Report Shines A Spotlight On Important Health Policy Issues, USA

Main Category: Pharma Industry / Biotech Industry
Article Date: 21 Dec 2007 - 16:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   view / write opinions   rate article

Jim Greenwood, president and CEO of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), issued the following statement on the report entitled, "Bending the Curve: Options for Achieving Savings and Improving Value in U.S. Health Spending" which was recently released by the Commonwealth Fund's Commission on a High Performance Health System:

"The report from the Commonwealth Fund which examines the increased costs and/or savings associated with various health reform options shines a spotlight on many important policy issues. The policy options examined in this report each have potential benefits and risks and should be closely scrutinized for their impact on consumers, payors, and the system at large. America's biotechnology companies welcome this discussion and look forward to playing a constructive role in a national conversation on health care.

"The policy issues examined in this report demonstrate the need for a healthcare debate that moves beyond soundbites to carefully examine how best to expand access, improve quality and outcomes, and provide other meaningful policy reforms,. Rather than tinkering at the margins with punitive policy proposals, our nation needs creative policy solutions that recognize that the needs and wants of the American people. BIO strongly believes that consumers deserve a system that provides wide access to cutting-edge treatments, life-saving therapies, and medical advances.

"This report is an important contribution to the debate and we look forward to an ongoing discussion with a wide range of stakeholders."

Upcoming BIO Events

BIO-Asia Partnering Conference
January 28-29, 2008
Tokyo, Japan

BIO CEO & Investor Conference
February 11-13, 2008
New York, NY

Partnering for Global Health
March 10-12, 2008
Washington, DC

BIO-Europe Spring
April 7-9, 2008
Madrid, Spain

World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology & Bioprocessing
April 27-30, 2008
Chicago, IL

BIO International Convention
June 17-20
San Diego, CA

About BIO

BIO represents more than 1,100 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and 31 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. BIO also produces the annual BIO International Convention, the world's largest gathering of the biotechnology industry.

http://www.bio.org