HSCA President and CEO Todd Ebert and Political Columnist Dr. Charles Krauthammer Open the 2015 Supply Chain Expo

HSCA President and CEO Todd Ebert, R.Ph., opened the 2015 Healthcare Supply Chain Expo with remarks addressing the impact that GPOs have on the broader healthcare industry.

“Why do healthcare organizations need help?” asked Ebert. “Healthcare expenses are increasing, many suppliers have flat or declining revenues, and the supply chain is an important part of the solution. GPOs provide tremendous value."

Ebert provided a program overview of the many networking and educational opportunities taking place throughout the day, and over the next 3 days of the expo – including the Sink or Swim competition and GPO Executive Panel on Tuesday, and Senator Lamar Alexander’s keynote on Wednesday. HSCA’s top executive went on to explore the GPO story and “what we’re known for.” Said Ebert, “GPOs reduce healthcare costs, support and embrace competition and innovation, support and practice transparency, and improve healthcare processes.”

Ebert laid out HSCA’s top policy issues which included healthcare costs, drug price spikes, drug shortages, biosimilar products, supply chain modernization, and quality metrics. “We will continue to be actively involved in these key policy issues on Capitol Hill,” said Ebert, adding that HSCA will be more proactive in promoting GPO and patient stories, representing the entire continuum of care, and embracing efficiency and transparency.

Following Ebert, Pulitzer Prize-winning syndicated columnist and political commentator Dr. Charles Krauthammer delivered the opening keynote “Politics in Washington.” Dr. Krauthammer has over 25 years covering and writing about the political scene in Washington, and is a regular panelist on “Inside Washington” and FOX News.

Dr. Krauthammer examined the “end of an era with Obama, and the beginning of a new era with 2016” as well as “the proper relationship between citizen and state.” Moving from President Obama’s “social democratic” take on healthcare – characterized by the Affordable Care Act and greater more regulation “in the name of the larger good” – to whomever will succeed him, the healthcare industry is facing a moment of great change. Dr. Krauthammer guided audience members through the changes in the healthcare industry under the Obama administration, and what the industry is facing under a change of leadership.

Dr. Krauthammer closed his keynote by engaging the audience in a lively Q&A session. Among other questions, he addressed a query about corporate tax reform, sharing that he believes corporate tax reform will happen after 2016, and predicted how various candidates would address such reform.

@HSCA and @HISCIonline will be live-tweeting all of the day's action-packed sessions. Share your thoughts using the hashtag #ExpoDC2015.