Democratic and Republican party leaders and strategists will share their differing perspectives in a keynote panel, titled "The Future of Healthcare Reform," during a Keynote Luncheon at the 2011 BIO International Convention on June 29 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC.

Moderated by BIO's President and CEO Jim Greenwood, the panel will include U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), former U.S. Senator Tom Daschle, former Democratic National Committee Chair Howard Dean, and Republican political strategist Karl Rove. The panelists will discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with implementing "The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2009" as well as efforts to repeal and reform the law.

"This year's BIO International Convention in Washington, DC presents the ideal venue for debate and discussion among some of the greatest political and health care policy minds of our time on restructuring of the nation's healthcare system," said Greenwood. "It is critical for biotechnology leaders to be aware of the implications for the industry as the Obama Administration and Congress address healthcare reform implementation."

The Future of Healthcare Reform policy panel keynote will be sponsored by Amgen.

Prior to launching their political careers, Senator Barrasso and Governor Dean served as practicing physicians. Senator Daschle and Mr. Rove have been prominent voices on the healthcare debate and both are widely respected for their analysis of the issues presented on both sides.

The BIO International Convention is the largest global event for the biotechnology industry, offering networking and partnering opportunities with policymakers, scientists, CEOs and newsmakers, and hundreds of sessions covering biotech trends, policy issues and technological innovations. The 2011 BIO International Convention has a set of free search and event planning tools for media, attendees and prospective attendees. The myBIO tool allows easy search and access to the companies, attendees and events by topic.

The Convention features the BIO Business Forum for biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, academic research institutions, and investors from around the world to gather and discuss strategic opportunities.

The BIO International Convention helps to support BIO programs and initiatives. BIO works throughout the year to create a policy environment that enables the industry to continue to fulfill its vision of bettering the world through biotechnology innovation. For more information on the global event for biotechnology, including program and housing information, please visit http://convention.bio.org/.

For registration, conference agenda and exhibitor information, visit http://convention.bio.org.

Members of the media can register at http://convention.bio.org/media.

Upcoming BIO Events

World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology & Bioprocessing
May 8-11, 2011
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Partnering for Global Health Forum 2011
June 27, 2011
Washington, DC

BIO International Convention
June 27-30, 2011
Washington, DC

2011 BIO Human Resources Conference
June 26-28, 2011
Washington, DC

The Business Forum at the BIO International Convention
June 28-30, 2011
Washington, DC

BIO India International Partnering Conference
September 21-22, 2011
Hyderabad, India

BIO China International Conference
October 12-13, 2011
Shanghai, China

About BIO
BIO represents more than 1,100 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. BIO also produces the BIO International Convention, the world’s largest gathering of the biotechnology industry, along with industry-leading investor and partnering meetings held around the world. BIO produces BIOtechNOW, an online portal and monthly newsletter chronicling “innovations transforming our world.” Subscribe to BIOtechNOW.

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