On Monday, March 16, the Bipartisan Policy Committee (BPC) convened government and private sector experts to discuss the policy actions needed to accelerate the discovery, development and delivery of medical products. Aligning public policy with innovation will save and improve lives, reduce the burden of chronic disease, and maintain global competitiveness in medical innovation. This is particularly relevant for underserved and at-risk populations who often have challenges accessing new drug therapies and treatment modalities due to socio-economic status and population health disparities. It was particularly enlightening to hear Marc Boutin, CEO, National Health Council, make specifc mention of persons with disabilities and those with chronic disease as populations that can particularly benefit from medical innovations to improve their health and well-being, daily living activity and overall quality of life. These groups can often be over-looked or side-lined when discussing and advancing policies to improve access to innovative health solutions. As a policy professional in the field of population health, who also happens to have a physical disability, I was heartened by BPC’s “inclusive” discussion to ensure quality healthcare for everyone.

http://bipartisanpolicy.org/events/advancing-medical-innovation-through-public-policy/