Quigley Tours MATTER, the Chicago Health Care Technology & Innovation Incubator
CHICAGO – Yesterday, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05) visited MATTER, the Chicago incubator focused on health care-centered technology and innovation. During the tour, Rep. Quigley saw the future of health care firsthand and discussed the challenges entrepreneurs face, as well as ways Members of Congress can better support their efforts.
"The health care industry affects each and every American, so it is encouraging to see so many bright Chicago minds hard at work to streamline and modernize the system to better serve our communities," said Rep. Quigley. "From coming up with inventions that will save lives to brainstorming concepts that will make quality health care more accessible and affordable, the work being done at MATTER is making a real difference. It is my hope that Congress taps into the same kind of forward-thinking problem solving to spur innovation and strengthen the Affordable Care Act."
"At MATTER, we work with 200 startup companies who are ‘all-in' on developing new technologies that will improve our health, the way we age, and the way our healthcare system works," said MATTER CEO Steven Collens. "It's an honor to have Rep. Quigley visit and meet some of the entrepreneurs we work with who are so passionate about improving our world."
MATTER's 25,000-square foot space provides room for entrepreneurs, innovators, and others in the health care industry to meet and discuss ideas, a replica outpatient environment, and a medical technology prototyping lab. Their 75-course curriculum, mentoring, and strategic programs offer a platform for leaders across the industry to collaborate with entrepreneurs to build the next generation of health care solutions.
A strong supporter of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Rep. Quigley vocally opposed Republican efforts to repeal and replace the life-saving legislation. Last week, he hosted a roundtable discussion about the future of the ACA – hearing from IL-05 constituents, doctors, medical researchers, health care advocates, and public health advocates on ways to improve access to care. As a Member of the New Democrat Coalition,. Rep. Quigley is also a champion of entrepreneurs leading technological innovation in the community. Last month, he celebrated Startup Day Across America by visiting mHUB, another Chicago incubator of forward-thinking startups.