CHI announces its agenda for the 2009 California Healthcare Policy Forum

CHI-California Healthcare Institute today announced its agenda and newly confirmed speakers for the 2009 California Healthcare Policy Forum to be held Nov. 5, at the InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco Hotel, from 11:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Sharon Levine, M.D., associate executive medical director, The Permanente Medical Group, will participate in the Healthcare Reform and Assessing the Value of Medical Innovation presentation. Assemblymember Jose Solorio will also speak at the event. This annual statewide conference brings together opinion leaders from the science, business and public sectors to discuss opportunities and issues facing the biomedical community. The forum facilitates the confluence of the private and academic research sectors with policy makers to ensure that innovation will continue to benefit Americans in the future.

“Healthcare reform is high on the agenda of our state and our nation,” said CHI President and Chief Executive Officer David L. Gollaher, Ph.D. “This forum brings together opinion leaders from California’s healthcare community, like Sharon Levine and Mark Smith, CEOs of medical device and biotechnology companies, with policymakers. Together, we will address how to expand coverage and access while sustaining investment in future medical technologies.”

The day will begin with a networking luncheon at the Top of The Mark restaurant at the InterContinental Mark Hopkins at 11:30 a.m. Following the lunch, the Healthcare Reform and Assessing the Value of Medical Innovation discussion will include Gollaher, Michael Goldberg, partner, Mohr Davidow Ventures, Alan M. Garber, M.D., Ph.D., director, center for health policy and center for primary care and outcomes research, Stanford University, Levine, and futurist and author Ian Morrison, Ph.D. will moderate this conversation focused on the competing priorities within current healthcare reform proposals.

Next, Assemblymember Nathan Fletcher will address the attendees on California’s role in the healthcare debate. Following his address, top biomedical industry executives in the state of California, including Hans Bishop, president, specialty medicine, Bayer HealthCare LLC; Robert B. Hance, president, Abbott Vascular; and Carl W. Hull, president and CEO, Gen-Probe Incorporated will discuss how proposed healthcare policies will affect their ability to innovate. Next, attendees will meet Assemblymember Jose Solorio during a solon interactive session. The forum will conclude with Innovation at the Crossroads: Cardiovascular Medicine and Infectious Disease featuring Michael A. Mussallem, chairman and CEO, Edwards Lifesciences, John C. Martin, Ph.D., chairman of the board and CEO, Gilead Sciences and Mark D. Smith, M.D., M.B.A., president and CEO, California HealthCare Foundation.

The registration rate for CHI members is $295; non-members is $445 and academic and nonprofits is $95. Visit www.chi.org/hcpf/default.aspx or call 858-551-6677 to register. Members of the media may register at no cost. Visit the forum Web site for details.