US BIO presents "critical principles" for Pres Obama's universal health care reform

With health care reform expected to be a critical debate in the new presidential administration of Barack Obama, the Biotechnology Industry  Organization has unveiled key principles in support of the availability  of health care to all US citizens, echoing an earlier move by the  Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA;  Marketletter January 19). According to the BIO, any realistic reform  proposal must incorporate three principles:

- the public policy goal should be universal access to affordable,  high-quality health care for all;

- innovation in health care, including health care solutions such as new  therapies and diagnostics, has always been and will continue to be  central to realizing health and economic goals; and