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HHS Secretary Azar shows support for $500 million Baxter investment in PD technology
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HHS Secretary Alex Azar II visited a Baxter research and development and manufacturing facility in Bloomington, Indiana earlier this week to show support for a $500 million investment pledged by the company to increase innovation and technology in the dialysis industry.
Azar, a former pharmaceutical executive whose father was on dialysis before receiving a kidney transplant, said Baxter’s investment was key in helping the country expand the American workforce.
“The hard work and innovative ideas being generated here show why the Trump administration is proud to partner with companies like Baxter to improve the economy and create jobs for the American people, while also improving health care for American patients,” Azar said in a speech before 70 Baxter employees.
Baxter chair and CEO Joe Almeida signed a Pledge to America’s Workers during Azar’s visit. The pledge is a public-private effort to help American workers expand their skills. Baxter joins more than 300 companies and organizations who have signed the pledge, which would contribute 12.7 million new education and training opportunities for American students and workers during the next 5 years, according to an HHS press release.
“Providing good jobs, good wages and ongoing training is a key contribution that companies like Baxter can make to support healthier Americans, healthier families and healthier communities,” Azar said.
Almeida said the company was offering its “full support” for the Advancing American Kidney Health Initiative, a plan announced by President Trump and Azar on July 10 to reduce the risks associated with kidney disease and place more patients on home dialysis or with a kidney transplant.
“We look forward to leveraging our deep expertise and pioneering leadership in this space to help make the Advancing American Kidney Health Initiative a reality for patients. ... Baxter stands ready to invest $500 million to support ... the Advancing American Kidney Health Initiative.” He said Baxter will create more than 1,000 new, high-quality manufacturing, supply chain and engineering jobs in the U.S. as part of its support.
“The Advancing American Kidney Health Initiative is a comprehensive and groundbreaking action — the first in decades that offers meaningful, concrete steps to empower patients who are either facing or battling end-stage renal disease,” Almeida said. “It provides a pathway to expanded access for treatments that aim to improve quality of life and life expectancy. Put simply — this is a big deal for the patients we serve.” – by Mark E. Neumann
Reference:
www.hhs.gov/about/leadership/secretary/speeches/2019-speeches/remarks-for-baxter-international-visit.html