“Incentive programs can play a meaningful role in ensuring New Jersey remains the “State of Innovation.” BioNJ has long supported reenacting incentive programs to help our State keep pace with others in the region. Thank you to Governor Murphy, Speaker Coughlin and Senate President Sweeney for your work toward making these programs a future reality. We look forward to continuing our work together in support of the Garden State's biopharmaceutical innovators and the Patients we serve."

Governor Murphy, Senate President Sweeney, Assembly Speaker Coughlin, and Bill Sponsors Senator Ruiz and Assemblywoman Pintor Marin Announce Agreement on Comprehensive Economic Recovery Plan and Tax Incentives Reform Legislation “Today, we are proud to announce that we have reached an agreement on a comprehensive economic recovery package that will support small businesses, drive sustainable economic growth, and reform our tax incentives system. This plan will specifically target historically underserved communities that have also been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 with tailored programs to combat food deserts, spur brownfields redevelopment, and support historic preservation and renewal, as well as a grant and loan program designed to bolster Main Street small businesses. “The agreement includes annual caps, strong compliance standards, groundbreaking tools to support the innovation economy, and robust labor protections. The plan will also help attract more high-growth businesses to the Garden State and provide additional support to small businesses during this unprecedented time. This is especially important as we lay the foundation for a stronger, more resilient post-COVID economy in New Jersey.” Click here for full press release.

BIO & PhRMA Lead Legal Challenges to Most-Favored Nation Rule  BIO and PhRMA were among the organizations filling legal challenges to the Trump Administration’s innovation-stifling “Most-Favored Nation” rule. President Trump had announced the rule in late November as a seven-year demonstration model linking Medicare Part B drug prices to foreign price controls imported from a selection of OECD nations. The legal challenges make several arguments against the rule and procedural and technical grounds. BioNJ believes this rule could have a devastating impact on both the innovative biopharmaceutical industry and the Patients we serve.  Click here for BioNJ President and CEO Debbie Hart’s statement supporting the legal challenge.  Click here for BIO’s press release on their litigation. Click here for PhRMA’s press release on their legal challenge.

President-Elect Biden Continues Nomination Announcements As electors from around the country gathered to cast their Electoral College votes, President-Elect Biden continues to announce intended nominations for key posts in his administration. Of greatest importance to health policy circles is the announcement that former Congressman and current California Attorney General Xavier Becerra -- who long served on the House Committee on Ways and Means -- will be President-Elect Biden’s nominee to head the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. President-Elect Biden also announced several other health policy-related nominations and appointments for his administration, including:  Dr. Vivek Murthy, former Surgeon General, as Surgeon General Dr. Rochelle Walensky, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith, Covid-19 Equity Task Force Chair Dr. Anthony Fauci, Chief Medical Advisor on COVID-19 to the President Jeff Zients, Coordinator of the COVID-19 Response and Counselor to the President Natalie Quillian, Deputy Coordinator of the COVID-19 Response Click here for information on transition announcements and nominations.

Budget, COVID Legislation Update Congressional leaders reportedly remain far apart in negotiating an immediate COVID relief package addressing unemployment concerns, relief for states and municipalities and other issues. A bipartisan package with more than $900 billion in immediate relief was rejected as reports indicate Senate Majority Leader McConnell opposed the package’s inclusion of financial aid for states. However, last minute negotiations seem likely to lead to a deal before 2020 ends with Majority Leader McConnell telling reporters ”We’re going to stay here until we get a COVID package, no matter how long it takes.” The U.S. Senate followed the U.S. House late Friday in passing a one-week continuing resolution to keep the government funded while negotiations continue on funding the remainder of the fiscal year. The one-week stopgap funding measure will hopefully provide negotiators with sufficient time to finalize an agreement before Congress recesses for the holidays.

Gov. Murphy Announces Immunization Executive Order Governor Murphy issued Executive Order 207 to automatically enroll New Jersey residents choosing to receive a COVID-19 vaccine into New Jersey’s existing vaccine registry. Executive Order 2017 changes the New Jersey Immunization Information System from an opt-in to an opt-out for residents receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.  Click here for more information on the executive order.

BioNJ’s Debbie Hart Testifies in Opposition to Drug Affordability Board, State Legislative News BioNJ President and CEO Debbie Hart provided testimony on S-1066, legislation to create a Prescription Drug Advisory Board for New Jersey. The testimony expressed sector concerns that the proposed pricing commission would limit both Patient access as well as innovation. BioNJ’s testimony stated that “we believe imposing harmful price controls will not ensure meaningful savings for Patients but could instead undermine the competitive market that is critical to bringing down costs and delivering new treatments to Patients. A Prescription Drug Affordability Board will put Patient access to medicines in danger and fail to achieve our shared goal of providing meaningful savings for Patients at the pharmacy counter.” Click here for a copy of BioNJ’s testimony as prepared for delivery.  In other legislative news, the Legislature has announced that Governor Murphy will deliver his State of the State address on Tuesday, January 12, and his annual Budget Address on Tuesday, February 21. Look for BioNJ alerts on these events later this winter. Finally, the Legislature remains on track to pass legislation enacting the recreational marijuana ballot initiative supported by NJ voters on election day.

We Need Your Help: Support BioNJ Policy and Advocacy Efforts BioNJ is the voice of New Jersey’s life sciences sector in Trenton and Washington. BioNJ’s Public Policy Support Series sponsorship opportunities are available for 2021. Sponsorship opportunities help make sure that our message is delivered in both Trenton and Washington, D.C. Help ensure BioNJ continues to deliver our message of improved Patient access and enhanced innovation through a Public Policy Support Series Sponsorship. Click here for more information.

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