Day Two of AdvaMed 2013 to Feature Government and Industry Leaders on MedTech Challenges and Opportunities

Plenary Sessions Highlight Current & Forthcoming Policies Impacting Innovation

WASHINGTON, Sept. 23, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The second day of AdvaMed 2013: The MedTech Conference at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., will feature plenary sessions honoring two of the industry's congressional champions and exploring the impact of new Medicare payment initiatives on patient access to medical innovations.

The morning plenary session on Tuesday, "Recognizing our 2013 Congressional Champions," will feature Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), leaders in the charge to repeal the medical device excise tax. Remarks will explore the need for public policy to promote the development of innovations that improve patient care. Senators Hatch and Klobuchar will each receive the AdvaMed 2013 Congressional Champion Award for their continued support of medical technology innovation.

The two-part plenary lunch, "New Directions for CMS – What You Need to Know," will feature perspectives on the changing health care payment environment from the public and private sector. CMS Administrator Marilyn Tavenner will deliver opening remarks on the agency's current priorities and their potential impact on the MedTech industry. Following her remarks, Susan Dentzer, senior policy advisor, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, will moderate a discussion centered on the implications of CMS's future policy directions between William Gracey, president and CEO, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, and former CMS Administrator Tom Scully, senior counsel, Alston & Bird LLP.

In addition to the plenary sessions, Ernst & Young will unveil its sixth annual "Pulse of the Industry" report on the state of the medical technology sector, and a series of CEOs Unplugged sessions on Tuesday will address: emerging growth company issues; health care delivery; current legislation and policy; and the MedTech value proposition and life-changing innovations. Some of the other panel discussions on Tuesday will explore: the value of diagnostics; gaining access to developing markets; payment standards; and post market surveillance.

A special feature of the conference will be Innovation Alley, where eight companies will display their life-changing innovations and cutting-edge technologies.

For a full conference agenda, visit http://www.advamed2013.com.

About AdvaMed 2013: The MedTech Conference
AdvaMed 2013: The MedTech Conference is the leading gathering in North America of global MedTech executives with regulatory, reimbursement, business development, legal, IP, marketing, quality, compliance, and other key responsibilities. Along with industry leaders, the conference attracts business development professionals, investors, policy-makers, members of the media, legal experts, consultants, distributors, and other important stakeholders will attend this international conference.

More than 2,000 attendees will network, conduct business, gain access to capital and share insights in Washington, D.C. from September 23-25.  The conference also features world-class plenary speakers, networking and business development opportunities. Visit http://advamed2013.com, follow @AdvaMed2013 on Twitter, or join the AdvaMed 2013 LinkedIn group to learn more.

SOURCE AdvaMed 2013