Role of life sciences and health care industries in shaping national health care reforms emphasized at summit hosted by Cherokee Pharmaceuticals

Cherokee Pharmaceuticals hosted a summit today that focused on the role of the life sciences and health care industries in shaping national health care reform and examined how those industries’ actions can positively impact Pennsylvania’s current and future economy, particularly in rural areas. With 200 attendees, the summit included a panel discussion with leaders in managed care, hospitals, universities, and the life sciences industries. U.S. Senator Robert P. Casey, Jr. provided the keynote address and outlined the important role the life sciences and health care industries will play in rural economies.

“Many of Pennsylvania’s rural communities have suffered from the decline of industries that once served as the foundation of local economic development,” Senator Casey said. “As these communities struggle to recover, we must not only ask what we can do to revitalize these traditional industries but also what we can do to find new areas of growth. The life sciences and health care industries, including bio-medical research, pharmaceutical development, medical institutions, and biotechnological advancement offer such potential.”

Dr. Howard Koh, Assistant Secretary for Health for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services also addressed the summit and provided a framework for the national health care reform debate.

“We are closer than ever to achieving quality, affordable health care for all Americans – especially rural America,” Koh said. “The President is committed to improving health care in rural communities and doing what we can to make our communities an even better place to live and work. Rural communities face unique challenges, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Our nation’s rural communities need better health services with more choices.”

PRWT Founder and Chairman Willie F. Johnson welcomed the summit attendees and PRWT Vice Chairman Jerry L. Johnson set the expectations for the day’s important work.

“We hope that today’s discussion encourages continued momentum and establishes partnerships among those gathered for this summit so that we can work collaboratively to build a stronger industry and a healthier economy, in Riverside, in Pennsylvania and throughout the country,” Jerry L. Johnson said, who also served as the chairperson for the Summit.

The summit’s focus is key to PRWT and Cherokee Pharmaceutical’s strategy of investing in the local community. In March 2009, 178 acres of unused and underutilized property on the Cherokee Pharmaceuticals’ campus was designated as a ten-year Keystone Opportunity Zone (KOZ). The KOZ provides local and state tax incentives to encourage companies to move their businesses to the Cherokee site in Riverside, creating additional jobs that will further enhance the community. Cherokee’s KOZ development plan includes the recruitment of other life sciences and biotech-related companies, as well as companies with needs for light manufacturing, warehousing and office space to establish themselves within the zone. Cherokee is committed to investing in the economic future of the Riverside and Danville communities, and providing sustainable jobs for skilled workers.

The summit concluded with an engaging panel discussion moderated by NBC-10’s (WCAU Philadelphia) Renee Chenault-Fattah. Panel members reacted to Senator Casey’s keynote address and responded to questions from the moderator as well as the audience. Panelists included: John M. Daly, M.D., F.A.C.S. of the Temple University School of Medicine; Willie A. Deese, Executive Vice President and President, Merck Manufacturing Division; Ross DeVol, Director of Regional Economics at the Milken Institute; John Elliot, President, Cherokee Pharmaceuticals LLC; Joseph A. Frick, President & CEO, Independence Blue Cross; Howard R. Grant, JD, MD, EVP & Chief Medical Officer, Geisinger Health System; A. Craig Hillemeier, MD, Vice Dean, Penn State Hershey Medical Center; and Loren H. Roth, MD, MPH, Assistant for Special Projects, Office of the President, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

A particular focus of the discussion was what role each panelist and summit attendee could play in the national health care reform debate.

“Each and every person here today must also play an active role in the national health care reform debate and work to foster growth in the life sciences industry in Pennsylvania, particularly in rural communities,” said panelist John Elliot, President of Cherokee Pharmaceuticals. “It is imperative that we do all that we can to ensure that the proposed health care reforms positively impact our industry as well as grow our business and our region’s economy.”

 http://www.cherokee-pharma.com/