Health Reform And Medical Innovation

Throughout the recent health reform debate, policymakers spoke a great deal about coverage and access issues.

There was also considerable attention paid to the challenge posed by rising healthcare costs.

To a lesser degree – less than it should have received, anyway – there was debate about reforming healthcare delivery and payment systems.

But there is a major topic about which he heard precious little during the entire health reform process.  Medical innovation.  How do we construct health policies that encourage continued investment in research and development of new lifesaving medicines and technologies?   This, unfortunately, was not a question addressed in any substantive manner during congressional debate.

Now, though, we’re learning more about the impact health reform legislation may have on healthcare innovation.  During an interview yesterday on CNBC, Medtronic CEO Bill Hawkins spoke about the positive elements of health reform such as expanded coverage and an emphasis on wellness and prevention, but said the revenue-generating provisions in the bill will likely lead some companies to cut their R&D budgets.

It’s an important interview to watch (with the side benefit of Mr. Hawkins also discussing new heart valve technology that is available in Europe, but still awaiting approval in this country).