Conference Presentation, Fireside Chat, Roundtable, Interview
The Awesome Responsibility of Leadership: A Conversation with Harry Reid and Eric Cantor
- Increased federal research and development funding is expected to accelerate scientific advancement and improve translational science outcomes through agencies like NCATS, though current sequestration measures threaten to eliminate or curtail essential programs.
- Significant financial investment is required to address chronic health challenges, including obesity which incurs an estimated $1 trillion annually in lost productivity, as well as the need to fund preventive care and education rather than relying on cost-cutting measures.
- Comprehensive immigration reform is projected to be enacted by the Senate before the July 4th recess, with a specific legislative timeline estimated to take 12 to 13 years to process individuals in the back of the line who would face penalties, fines, and English language requirements.
- Future legislative efforts will likely include a down payment on an agricultural worker program and an E-Verify component, driven by demographic shifts such as the projection that Latin American ancestry will comprise the largest ethnic group in California by the end of this year or early next year.
- While there is anticipation for bipartisan cooperation on health care flexibility and fiscal reform, concerns remain regarding the maintenance of employer incentives for healthy living and the potential diversion of funds allocated for preventive care.
- Long-term global competitiveness is anticipated to depend on the United States' ability to solve current health issues and maintain educational investment in the face of a global demographic ratio of 11 children in India and China for every child in the United States.