SEATTLE: The Binaytara Foundation, a cancer health nonprofit based in Washington, is hosting the 2018 Summit on National and Global Cancer Health Disparities from April 28-29 in Seattle.
The conference is designed to provide education to physicians and other healthcare professionals, and to build momentum toward ending healthcare disparities preventing disenfranchised groups from receiving the best possible care.
The highlight of the summit will be a pair of debates on the rising cost of cancer care, featuring high-profile panelists and moderators.
U.S. Rep. Adam Smith will participate in the first debate, titled, “Who’s to blame for the rising cost of cancer care?”
“Cancer is an incredibly costly illness to manage and treat,” Smith said. “With the rising cost of healthcare, it is important to provide innovative, flexible solutions to this growing problem. For those experiencing the physical and emotional burdens of cancer, healthcare costs should not place another undue burden on individuals and families.”
KIRO 7 Anchor Michelle Millman will co-moderate the debate, which will be held from 3:45 to 5 p.m. April 28 at Hilton Seattle. KOMO 4 Reporter Denise Whitaker will co-moderate the second debate the next day from 11 a.m. to noon.
Binaytara Foundation President Dr. Binay Shah said the debate sessions will promote a better understanding of factors contributing to soaring healthcare costs.
“There is not much cross-talk at most conferences,” Shah said. “But in order to tackle these major disparity issues, experts from different sectors must communicate and collaborate. We want to hear from all sides so we can push toward meaningful outcomes.”
Panelists joining Congressman Smith include Cardinal Health Specialty Solutions VP and CMO Dr. Chadi Nabhan, Oregon Health and Sciences University Assistant Professor of Medicine Dr. Vinay Prasad, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society CMO Dr. Gwen Nichols, and Biotheranostics CEO Don Hardison.
The second debate will focus on ways to contain the cost of cancer care.
Panelists for the second debate include Kraft Family Professor of Medicine Dr. Kenneth Anderson, Hutchinson Institute for Cancer Outcomes Co-Director Dr. Gary Lyman, McKesson VP and CMO Dr. Michael Seiden, and CLL Society Founder Dr. Brian Koffman.
The 2018 Summit on National and Global Cancer Health Disparities is the inaugural conference of what will become an annual event. The Binaytara Foundation is also hosting the 6th International Conference on Advances in Hematology and Oncology August 4-5 in Couer d’Alene, Idaho. It is one of the largest medical education conference for oncology in the region.
The Binaytara Foundation also works on projects abroad. It will soon sign a memorandum of understanding with the Nepalese government to establish a state-of-the-art public cancer center near the city of Janakupur. It is also expanding hospice and palliative care services throughout Nepal and India.