CHICAGO, Nov. 29, 2010 — Healthcare in a post-reform world, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ program integrity initiatives, medical marijuana laws, the future of healthcare privacy, medical device compliance, Medicare fraud enforcement and a variety of other timely issues will be covered during the American Bar Association Health Law Section 2010 Washington Healthcare Summit.

This two-day conference, Dec. 6-7, will be headquartered at the Ritz-Carlton Pentagon City, Arlington, Va.

Program highlights include:

“Medical Marijuana Laws,” Carmen Catizone, executive director of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy, will explore the current tension that exists between state and federal laws on medical marijuana. From the licensing of health care providers to regulation and enforcement, Catizone will present issues that arise from these conflicting laws.

Other noteworthy programs include:

“The Future of Medicare Advantage and Part D,” at which panelists will examine the new payment system set to go into effect in 2011; and hot topics such as Accountable Care Organizations and comparative effectiveness.

“What Does the Future Hold for Health Care Reform?” with Judith Feder, professor of public policy at the Georgetown Public Policy Institute and senior fellow at the Center for American Progress;

“Enforcement and Compliance Issues Confronting the Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Industry,” during which senior government enforcement officials will review the new violations they are pursuing, including misbranding and civil and criminal liability stemming from FDA violations;

“Antitrust Implications of Health Reform,” a look at the new challenges the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice face in antitrust enforcement in the wake of sweeping reforms that may lead to consolidation;

Top speakers include: Kansas Attorney General Steve Six (Dec. 6); Peter Budetti, deputy administrator for program integrity at Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (Dec. 6); Lisa Grabert, senior associate director for policy at the American Hospital Association (Dec. 6); Mark B. McClellan, director of the Engelberg Center for Health Care Reform at the Brookings Institution (Dec. 6);and Howard Sklamberg, director for the Office of Enforcement, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (Dec. 7).

For a complete copy of the meeting guide with the latest agenda, click here.

With nearly 400,000 members, the American Bar Association is the largest voluntary professional membership organization in the world.  As the national voice of the legal profession, the ABA works to improve the administration of justice, promotes programs that assist lawyers and judges in their work, accredits law schools, provides continuing legal education, and works to build public understanding around the world of the importance of the rule of law.

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Editor’s Note: For further information on the program or to obtain press credentials please contact Rachel Estrada, ABA Media Relations at estradar@staff.abanet.org or at 312-988-6148. On-site registration for reporters will open Dec. 6 at 8 a.m. The program will be at the Ritz- Carlton, Pentagon City, 1250 South Hayes St., Arlington, Va.