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.