Speaking at the closing plenary lunch for the 2009 Mid-Atlantic Bio Conference, former Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean praised the bioscience and investment industry for its role in health care innovation. He said legislators were not ignoring the industry when they drafted health care reform, praising Congress for including tax credits for innovators, reforming the patent system and creating more exclusivity on data for biotech innovators. At the same time, he also urged the industry to be careful in the political game, especially during the contentious health care debate.

"Leave the hardball politics to the politicians," Dean said. "You might get dragged into it and the result is that you won't get to talk to the people who matter. Someday, you won't know why, but you won't get an audience with the people who need to hear you."

In an interview with NationalJournal.com before the speech, the former governor -- and physician -- talked about his feelings on the House bill, the public option and the future of health care.

NJ: What are your thoughts on the House getting ready to vote as early as Saturday?

Dean: I think it's great. That's a good bill. It's not perfect, but it's got elements of real reform. I was worried that those elements wouldn't be in there. But it has the public option, which is what we need for real reform. With the public option there, I think it's a good bill and I'm glad to see it ready to go.

NJ: How do you feel about the opt-out public option in the Senate bill? Is that a suitable alternative to the full-on public option?

Dean: The opt-out is OK. I wouldn't do it, but I'd vote for it. It's important to have a public option in there. The criteria for me is 'is there real reform?' I think the Senate bill does that...

I don't think many states will opt out, because I don't think the political pressure will allow that. I really think the Senate bill is good and I think Harry [Reid] can get the votes for it.

NJ: Is this bill big enough, or will we still be talking about reforming health care years down the line?

Dean: This is just the beginning. They're not reforming, they're getting permission from the American people to reform health care. They're offering Americans choices to move forward with larger reform. Look at Massachusetts. They did it four or five years ago and just now the tough stuff is coming. They're talking about getting rid of fee-for-service and moving to a whole new system. You just set the table now and more will happen years from now.

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