Agenda for the California Healthcare Policy Forum Revealed

Event to Address Healthcare Reform`s Impact on Biomedical Innovation
LA JOLLA, Calif.--(Business Wire)--
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.

About CHI

CHI represents more than 250 leading biotechnology, medical device, diagnostics,
and pharmaceutical companies, and public and private academic biomedical
research organizations. CHI`s mission is to advance responsible public policies
that foster medical innovation and promote scientific discovery. CHI`s Web site
is www.chi.org.

California Healthcare Institute
Nicole Beckstrand, 858-551-6677
beckstrand@chi.org

Copyright Business Wire 2009