February 17, 2021

Governor Murphy to Deliver Budget Address Governor Murphy is slated on February 23 to give his annual budget address to a joint session of the NJ Legislature. The 2022 budget process follows a State fiscal year 2021 that was shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic. BioNJ's 2022 budget priorities include continued funding for the State’s Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology and continued support for programs aimed at improving the competitiveness of New Jersey’s life sciences ecosystem.  Governor Murphy’s budget address will be available via the Governor’s social media accounts as well as his YouTube page.

Senate Health Considers RDAC Legislation, Legislative Update Legislation creating a Rare Disease Advisory Council in New Jersey continues to gain momentum in the NJ Legislature. S-2682, sponsored by Senators Vin Gopal and Tom Kean, Jr., passed by an 8-0 vote at the February 9 meeting of the NJ Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee. The NJ General Assembly Health Committee had previously approved A-4016, the General Assembly version of the legislation. A New Jersey Rare Disease Advisory Council will help New Jersey improve strategies for care and delivery of services to New Jerseyans with a diagnosed rare disease. BioNJ thanks Committee Chair Senator Joe Vitale, Senator Gopal and Senator Kean for their work on this important issue. We look forward to making the New Jersey Rare Disease Advisory Council a reality in 2021.  In other legislative news, the NJ Senate Commerce Committee considered and passed S-1423, legislation sponsored by Senator Troy Singleton and Commerce Committee Chair Nellie Pou, to require carriers and pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) to use negotiated rebates to lower beneficiary premiums. Click here for a copy of S-1423 as introduced.

Reminder: March 4 Rare Disease Day in Trenton On March 4, rare disease Patients, families, caregivers and advocates will come together for Rare Disease Day in Trenton. This annual event will be virtual in 2021 and help raise awareness with our policymakers on the impact of rare diseases on Patients and their families. BioNJ Chair Will Lewis will deliver remarks. Click here for more information on 2021 Rare Disease Day in Trenton.

Congress Begins Reconciliation Process Congress has passed a budget resolution that allows the budget reconciliation process to move forward. The budget reconciliation process allows Congress to quickly consider by majority vote spending and revenue as set by the budget resolution. The budget reconciliation process in this instance is being utilized to quickly consider President Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID relief proposal through Congress. With unemployment and other benefits slated to expire in mid-March, Congressional consideration of the reconciliation package is expected to be completed by then. Stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks on the reconciliation process.   Click here for more information on the approved budget resolution.

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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