Notes From The 2018 HIDA Washington Summit

June 15, 2018

Alexandria, VA – More than 70 HIDA members and their manufacturer partners went to Washington, D.C., last week to educate lawmakers on key issues affecting the healthcare supply chain. Attendees at this year’s HIDA Washington Summit conducted 130 Capitol Hill meetings, including twice as many with members of Congress than in 2017. Among highlights from the day:

• Members urged lawmakers to include key healthcare provisions in upcoming emergency preparedness legislation. They explained that the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation Act (PAHPAI) must support a more elastic supply chain, increasing medical product availability during public health events.
  
  
• Participants described the negative impact proposed tariffs could have on healthcare. A significant number of medical products critical to everyday procedures and lifesaving surgeries are manufactured outside of the U.S. In addition to raising the cost of healthcare, these tariffs could also impair ongoing emergency preparedness efforts, distributors warned.
  
  
• Distributors thanked Congress for delaying the medical device tax. Members explained how the tax, when enforced, hinders manufacturer investment into product research and development. Participants asked lawmakers for a full repeal of the tax to help strengthen innovation and patient care.

Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) addressed attendees prior to their Hill meetings, thanking them for spending time with policymakers and staff. As a new member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, Kaine is able to focus on healthcare and education priorities, and highlighted the recent Committee’s passage of PAHPAI.

On day two of the Summit, attendees heard from both sides of the political aisle during the event’s education sessions. Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), along with Democratic and Republican Chiefs of Staff, provided insider perspectives on health reform’s future, as well as the upcoming midterm elections.

On the payer side, former Anthem executive and VillageMD co-founder Paul Martino highlighted ongoing consolidation in both the provider and payer space. He predicted managed care groups, like accountable care organizations, likely will encounter difficulties as they are forced to take on more downside risk.

Dr. Robert Kadlec, Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), discussed various challenges faced both during and in advance of national emergencies. He praised commercial supply chain expertise, adding HHS plans to take steps to incorporate additional opportunities for private sector engagement and collaboration to continue improving U.S. preparedness capabilities.

HIDA’s 2019 Washington Summit occurs June 5-7 in D.C. Visit www.HIDA.org/Summit to learn more.

About HIDA
The Health Industry Distributors Association (HIDA) is the premier trade association representing medical products distribution. HIDA members offer services that increase the efficiency of the nation's hospitals, nursing homes, physician practices, and other healthcare providers. For more information, visit www.HIDA.org. For more information on HIDA’s Streamlining Healthcare initiative, visit www.StreamliningHealthcare.org.