Weekly Policy Blog: CBSA’s 2023 Day at the Capitol

On March 17, CBSA’s annual Day at the Capitol event returned in person. CBSA members, legislators, and legislative staff first gathered for a health innovation company showcase and networking, which highlighted the Colorado life sciences community’s impact on the state. Thank you to the following showcase companies for sharing how your health innovations are changing and saving patient’s lives:

After CBSA President & CEO Elyse Blazevich kicked off the morning’s programming, members heard a keynote address from Eve Lieberman, Executive Director of the Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade (OEDIT), which further underscored the importance of the life sciences ecosystem to the state. Eve also drew attention to CBSA’s priority bill this session, SB23-066 Advanced Industry Acceleration Programs. The Advanced Industries Accelerator Grant Programs are run by OEDIT and OEDIT is also championing the bill; she indicated SB23-066 is one of OEDIT’s top priorities. Eve asked stakeholders and legislators for their continued support of this bill that reauthorizes this critical program.

Eve Lieberman, Executive Director of the Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade (OEDIT), speaks on CBSA’s priority bill this session, SB23-066 Advanced Industry Acceleration Programs, at CBSA’s Day at the Capitol on Friday, March 17, 2023.

CBSA Vice President and Counsel for Policy + Advocacy Amy Goodman and CBSA’s lobbying team from Colorado Legislative Strategies provided a state advocacy update that included a general overview of the 2023 legislative session, an overview of key life sciences and healthcare-related themes, and updates on the bills that CBSA is supporting, opposing, monitoring, and still expecting to be introduced. Of the nine bills that Governor Polis highlighted in his healthcare legislative package on March 2, three are related to prescription drugs: HB23-1225 extends and expands the scope of the Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB), HB23-1201 prohibits the practice of “spread pricing” by PBMs, and HB23-1227 gives the Division of Insurance more direct oversight over PBMs. At this point in the session, CBSA is supporting four bills (SB23-066, HB23-1110, HB23-1130, and HB23-1198), opposing two bills (HB23-1225 and HB23-1118—which has already been postponed indefinitely), and actively monitoring thirteen life sciences-related bills and eight business-related bills, plus there were another three bills CBSA was monitoring that have already been killed. 

CBSA Vice President and Counsel for Policy + Advocacy, Amy Goodman, and CBSA’s lobbying team from Colorado Legislative Strategies, including CLS Co-owner & Lobbyist, Melanie Layton, CLS General Counsel & Lobbyist, Andrew Wood, and CLS Lobbyist Caroline Woodhouse, provide a state advocacy update at CBSA’s Day at the Capitol on Friday, March 17, 2023.

Brian Warren, Senior Director of State Government Affairs at Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), spoke about national trends related to Prescription Drug Affordability Boards (PDABs) and best practices in economic development initiatives. Brian’s PDAB discussion highlighted the status of the six existing PDABs and the trends among the PDAB-related bills being introduced this year, emphasizing how none of the PDABs directly target patients’ out-of-pocket costs for medications. Brian also called attention to how Colorado is on a good path when it comes to meeting the best practices in economic development, but there is always room for improvement in the push to make Colorado a top five life sciences hub. Brian and CBSA’s Amy Goodman then provided an update on key federal issues relevant to CBSA members, including: 

Finally, Amgen Director of State Government Affairs and CBSA Board of Directors Chair Kathleen (Kiki) Traylor, MD wrapped up the event with a thank you to our speakers, showcase companies, event sponsors, and special guests. We greatly appreciate the following event sponsors making this year’s Day at the Capitol event possible: 

Categories: CBSA News