By Kim Dixon and Lisa Richwine
NEW YORK (Reuters) - While Republicans vying for the U.S. presidency warn about Democratic plans for a "government takeover of healthcare," many companies in the sector see opportunities should a Democrat win.
Supporting cheaper versions of pricey biologic drugs and helping Americans without health insurance are among the benefits cited by executives this week at the Reuters Health Summit in New York.
The spiraling cost of health care is often named the biggest domestic policy worry in national polls.
Democrats back more expansive measures to boost coverage of the 47 million Americans currently uninsured and support greater us of generic drugs to curb costs.
"What Democrats are very likely to support is a national approach to the uninsured," said David Snow, chief executive at Medco Health Solutions Inc (MHS.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz). "Net-net for Medco, it's a good thing."
Medco was spun off of drugmaker Merck & Co (MRK.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) in 2003 and sells pharmacy services to employers and the government, reaching 60 million people. Demand for its services would likely grow if more people were insured. Rivals include CVS Caremark (CVS.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) and Express Scripts (ESRX.O: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz)
Executives, including big drugmakers more wary of government involvement, say the pressure to hold down health costs means the government's role is likely to expand under either party.
"Ultimately, I don't think the American public wants to spend more than more than 16 percent of their GDP (gross domestic product) on healthcare," UK's Shire Plc (SHP.L: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) chief executive Matthew Emmens said. Continued...
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