Blog: Can Obama Survive a Second Round of Healthcare Reform?

Last week, The Global Leaders conducted the 2nd Annual Healthcare Forum and Networking Reception with the express design of bringing innovators (medtech, biotech, pharma companies) and resources (investors and developers) together.

According to a story on QMED, conference cochair George Bickerstaff called on President Obama and the leaders of Congress to join an effort by others in business, education, government, and philanthropy to "work across disciplines to overcome obstacles" to solving the nation's healthcare crisis.

According to Bickerstaff,the crisis is defined by costs. "Costs are going up, access is still limited, and a there is serious disagreement within government and industry on how to improve healthcare and access," he says. "At current growth rates, healthcare expenditures will soon exceed 20% of the USA gross domestic product."

Bickerstaff says Congress and the President need to start by "agreeing on a multi-lateral plan that includes input from business, government, education, and philanthropy. The plan should include issues, actions, responsibilities, next steps, quantifiable measurements, and a sensible cost and funding approach.  The federal government should take a lead role in convening these leaders and encouraging open and transparent dialog, starting within the USA."

I have to ask: Does this industry want more healthcare reform? Or is the bitter pill of the device tax enough to make all reform propositions difficult to swallow?

And one more question: Will any president try to undo, revamp, or change healthcare? I doubt even Obama would want to try again.

In Case You Missed it: 

Op-Ed: Medical Device Tax Hampers Job Growth, Innovation

What the Privacy Act Teaches Us About The Device Tax

Sure, The Medical Device Tax Is Helping to Pay for Healthcare Reform—But Who Else Is Footing the Bill?