March 17, 2021

ALERT: CMS Withdraws Part D Protected Classes Proposal In welcome news, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) late yesterday withdrew a proposal that would have allowed plans participating in the Medicare Part D Payment Modernization Model to restrict formularies for six Part D “protected classes.” The calendar year 2022 change was proposed in the waning days of the Trump Administration. BioNJ President and CEO Debbie Hart last month joined the Council of State Bioscience Associations and dozens of state biopharmaceutical associations in a letter urging CMS to withdraw this proposal.  “The proposed Part D Payment Modernization Model would have unnecessarily kept HIV/AIDS, mental health and other Patients from necessary treatments,” said BioNJ President and CEO Debbie Hart. “We thank CMS for maintaining Patient access by withdrawing this Trump-era proposal.”    Click here for a copy of the CSBA/BioNJ letter to CMS on this important issue.

Rare Disease Day Celebrated in Trenton   Patients, caregivers and others gathered remotely on March 4 for the annual Rare Disease Day in Trenton. Participants heard Patient and caregiver stories as well as testimonials on the importance of A-4016/S-2682, legislation to create a New Jersey Rare Disease Advisory Council. Participants were also joined by bill sponsors Assemblymen Ronald Dancer and Dan Benson and Senators Vin Gopal and Tom Kean, Jr., who presented on the progress of the legislation as well as the importance of rare disease awareness in the legislature. Thank you to our bill sponsors for joining this important event. We look forward to working together to make the New Jersey Rare Disease Advisory Council a reality in 2021.

COVID Relief Package Update President Biden has signed into law the $1.9 billion COVID relief package. The House passed the American Rescue Plan Act by a 220-211 vote with all Democrats but one voting in favor of the package. The legislation includes additional funding for unemployment benefits, renter and homeowner assistance and an enhanced child tax credit. Meanwhile, the legislation also bolsters COVID-related business assistance programs, including additional funding for the Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program. Finally, the legislation includes $350 billion in aid to state, local and tribal governments hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.New Jersey is slated to receive nearly $10B as a result of this plan including $6.43 billion in state funding, plus another $189 million to expand its broadband internet infrastructure. An additional $1.82 billion will be split among the state's 21 county governments, and $1.74 billion divided among all 565 cities and municipalities.  Click here for more information, including bill text on the American Rescue Plan Act.

State Legislative Update As the State fiscal year 2022 budget legislative process was set to commence this week with public hearings, the New Jersey Legislature pushed several pieces of legislation forward. A-4918, legislation authored by General Assembly Majority Leader Louis Greenwald to allow remote shareholder meetings to continue post-pandemic, sailed through the Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee. BioNJ thanks Majority Leader Greenwald and Committee Chair Gordon Johnson for their work to move forward this important legislation. A-5013, legislation introduced by Assembly Representatives Andrew Zwicker, Valerie Vainieri Huttle and Linda Carter directing the New Jersey Secretary of State to develop a national marketing campaign promoting State's innovation economy, has moved through the Assembly Science, Innovation and Technology Committee. A-5013 would make into statute this recommendation from BioNJ’s 2018 “The New Jersey Biopharma Industry: A Prescription for Growth” whitepaper, and we thank the bill sponsors for their work on this important initiative. March 25 is the last scheduled voting session day this month for both houses of the NJ Legislature.  The FY2022 Budget hearing schedule is available on NJ Legislature homepage at https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/.

Becerra Nomination Moves Forward; FDA Commissioner Remains Unnamed  The Senate has voted to move forward with consideration of the nomination of former Congressman and current California Attorney General Xavier Becerra to lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Senate Finance Committee ended deadlocked 14-14 in its consideration of the nomination, creating an additional procedural hurdle for Attorney General Becerra’s expected confirmation by the full Senate. President Biden has not yet named his nominee for the Food and Drug Administration Commissioner position. Stay tuned for additional information on the HHS and FDA confirmation process as well as confirmation hearings for Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator nominee Chiquita Brooks-LaSure.

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.

Thank You to Our Public Policy Sponsors

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