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Topic 2006: Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals
The U.S. drug market is crucially important for the global pharmaceutical industry. Germany has the largest European market for pharmaceuticals. For both countries' healthcare systems the management of drug quality and costs poses major challenges. In the United States this issue has assumed special urgency. With the introduction of full drug coverage in Medicare, the provision of drugs has become central to discussions in health policy. How to expand and secure healthcare coverage for all Americans promises to be a crucial topic also for the November 2006 midterm elections to the US Congress. Germany's recent health care reforms directly address these issues and much is to be learned from a high-level sharing of experiences.
The University of Minnesota has established a reputation among researchers and scientists as a leading center for developing new concepts in healthcare. CGES draws on this expertise for a trans-Atlantic dialogue between the United States and Germany on best practices in the organization of high-quality and affordable drug coverage. The 2006 forum brought together top-level policymakers and practitioners.
Participants in this roundtable of experts were individuals from both sides of the Atlantic, representatives of the federal and state organizations responsible for drug coverage, insurers, medical doctors, and management members of pharmaceutical companies, responsible especially for health care policy, health management and pricing.
Trans-Atlantic Experts’ Roundtable 2006 Program
Day 1
American and German Healthcare 2006: Universal Healthcare?: Access, Quality, Affordability—Experiences and Best Practices in Germany and the USA
University of Minnesota
Monday, June 5, 2006
9:00 AM – 2:45 PM
| 8:30 | Registration and coffee |
| 9:00 | Welcome—Professor Eric D. Weitz, director, Center for German & European Studies R. Timothy Mulcahy, VP for Research, University of Minnesota |
| 9:05 | Opening remarks Prof. Dr. Roby Thompson, Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs, Medical School, U of M; CEO, University of Minnesota Physicians |
| 9:15 | "Germany’s Health Care Reform"—Ulla Schmidt, Minister of Health, Federal Republic of Germany, Berlin |
| 10:15-10:30 | coffee break |
| 10:35-11:45 | "Achievements and Challenges in the USA”— Prof. Dr. Roby Thompson, Chairman of the Board and CEO UMP Ann Robinow, VP and General Manager, Patient Choice Gary Oftedahl, MD., Interim President and Medical Director, Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement |
| 11:45-1:15 | Panel discussion and Q & A; moderator: Eric D. Weitz |
| 1:15 | Reception and Buffet Lunch |
| 2:45 | Event closes |
| 6:00 | dinner and evening program for conference participants |
The forum was recorded by Twin Cities Public Television for subsequent broadcast on public television. A DVD with the program is available from CGES.
Day 2
Health and Pharmaceuticals 2006: Keeping Drug Costs Affordable—Experiences and Best Practices in Germany and the USA
University of Minnesota
Tuesday, June 6, 2006
9:00 AM – 2:30 PM
| 8:30 | Registration and coffee |
| 9:00 | Welcome—Professor Eric D. Weitz, director, Center for German & European Studies |
| 9:05–9:20 | "Drug Coverage in U.S. Healthcare: An Overview"—Professor Stephen Schondelmeyer, director, PRIME Institute, U of M |
| 9:20–9:40 | "First Results of Medicare Part D"—Dr. Steven Sheingold, US Dept. of Health and Human Services, Washington |
| 9:40–10:00 | "The Perspective of Healthcare Insurers"—Dr. Richard Bruzek, VP Pharmacy Services, HealthPartners |
| 10:00–10:10 | "Drug Coverage in Germany’s Health Care System"—Ulrich Dietz, head, Dept. of Drug Coverage, Federal Ministry of Health, Berlin |
| 10:10-10:20 | "The Perspective of the Pharmaceutical Industry"—Christopher Singer, COO, PhRMA |
| 10:20-10:50 | discussion; Moderator: Stephen Schondelmeyer |
| 10:50-11:15 | coffee break |
| 11:15–11:45 | "Tasks of the G-BA: Achievements and Challenges"—Dr. Rainer Hess, Chairman of the Joint Committee, Germany |
| 11:45–1:30 | Panel discussion and Q & A |
| 1:30–2:30 | Reception and Buffet Lunch |