June 23, 2021

Hart in ROI-NJ: H.R. 3 Wrong Prescription for Lower Drug Costs  BioNJ President and CEO Debbie Hart in a recent op-ed argued that H.R. 3, the “Lower Drug Costs Now Act,” would impede continued innovation while imperiling Patient access to new and groundbreaking therapies. Noting a recent Vital Transformation report analyzing the impact on New Jersey’s biopharmaceutical sector and the Patients we serve, Hart said “H.R. 3 would be a disaster for New Jersey, and we owe it to our sick and vulnerable to reject it as such.” The Vital Transformation report estimates a nearly 90 percent reduction in novel therapies if H.R. 3 were in place over the last decade along with more than 70,000 lost jobs in the Garden State. Click here to read Hart’s op-ed.

State Legislative Update As the New Jersey Legislature hit the homestretch of its FY2022 budget considerations – with the Governor likely to sign this week – several other proposals have been considered in advance of the June 30 end of the 2021 fiscal year. Legislation to provide for remote shareholder meetings post-pandemic (A-4918/S-3226) moved through the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee and the full Senate following passage through the General Assembly. In addition, legislation to create a One Health Task Force looks to move forward with the Legislature’s concurrence. Meanwhile, legislation ostensibly drafted to provide for monthly co-pay caps for Patients needing insulin (A-954) has been passed through the Assembly Appropriations Committee with amendments requiring unnecessary and duplicative manufacturer data reporting on infeasible timelines. We look forward to working with the sponsors to pass a bill that delivers savings to the Patients who need them most without unnecessary burden on biopharmaceutical manufacturers.

SCOTUS Again Upholds ACA   The Supreme Court of the United States has again ruled constitutional provisions of 2010’s Affordable Care Act. The 7-2 decision ruled in California v. Texas, 19-840 that those looking to overturn the landmark health reform law lacked proper standing. The act has resulted in millions of newly-insured Americans since its implementation. A copy of the Supreme Court decision is available here.

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. More information is available here.

Thank You to Our Public Policy Sponsors

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