The opportunity and absolute necessity for private investment to fuel innovation in the U.S. healthcare system — innovation that drives greater access, lower costs and better outcomes — has never been greater. But the question is: Does venture capital have the stomach for it during these uncertain regulatory and political times? Let’s hope so.

The U.S. healthcare system is one of the largest and most complex in the world. It accounts for more than $4.5 trillion in annual spending, or over 18% of GDP. The infrastructure is vast, with about 6,000 hospitals, 900,000 licensed beds, 900,000 physicians and more than 4.7 million registered nurses. READ MORE