Weekly Policy Update: Positions on three bills, true transparency, and a visit to D.C.
By: Colorado BioScience Association Date: 02/23/2018
UNDER THE DOME
The Colorado BioScience Association took formal positions on three bills this week and we continue to evaluate and make recommendations on legislation being introduced. Outlined below are details on the three new bills. Please connect with us if you’d like to weigh in.
CBSA SUPPORTS
SB18-042 – Concerning the creation of the agricultural workforce development program
The bill requires the commissioner of agriculture to create the agricultural workforce development program to provide incentives to agricultural businesses to hire interns. Qualified agricultural businesses may be reimbursed an amount not to exceed 50% of the actual cost of hiring a qualified intern. The rules must include specified criteria for qualifying businesses and interns participating in the program. Qualified internships must include at least 130 hours of work experience and cannot exceed 6 months in duration. The program is repealed on July 1, 2024.
CBSA OPPOSES
SB18-023 – Promote Off-label Use Pharmaceutical Products
The bill allows a pharmaceutical manufacturer or its representative to promote the off-label use of a prescription drug, biological product, or device approved by the United States food and drug administration.
CBSA NEUTRAL
HB18-1128 Protections for Consumer Data Privacy
CBSA was originally in opposition to HB18-1128, but changed its position to neutral after CBSA and our members companies worked with bill sponsors and the broader business coalition to request amendments that would protect our industry and members.
The bill was introduced as: Except for conduct in compliance with applicable federal, state, or local law, the bill requires public and private entities in Colorado that maintain paper or electronic documents that contain personal identifying information to develop and maintain a written policy for the destruction and proper disposal of those documents.
Since its introduction and through the stakeholder process, an amendment was introduced and passed, which would deem a business in compliance with the new state reporting law if already in compliance with other state or federal reporting laws.
TRUE TRANSPARENCY
Last week we talked about true transparency. This week we are launching a digital advocacy campaign focusing on educating legislators, patients, and the business community on the drivers contributing to the cost of prescription drugs, ‘true transparency’.
True transparency means:
- Working together to provide patients access to affordable medicines
- Addressing the health care system as a whole
- Considering every player in the health care system to make meaningful changes for patients and their families
The campaign will assist in efforts this legislative session as we are working for solutions that address these considerations and defeat legislation that could undermine the value of innovation and access to new treatments.
Over the next several weeks be sure follow CBSA on social media to
view, like, and share our true transparency posts on Facebook,
Twitter and LinkedIn. Click here to learn more about true transparency and to examine the cost of prescription drugs view CBSA’s fact sheet.
ADVAMED – FLY IN
Next week CBSA vice president Jennifer Jones and CBSA Board Member, policy committee co-chair, Dan Wittenberg, will be in Washington, D.C. as part of the Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed) and the State Medical Technology Alliance (SMTA) Fly. This fly in is a great opportunity to collaborate with Advamed, our members, and our Colorado Delegation on policies that will encourage growth for our medtech community and advocating for a clear path for medical innovation.
Additionally, this trip will be a great opportunity to thank our elected officials for their leadership and hard work for the recent suspension of the medical device excise tax and to discuss with the offices that while CBSA applauds Congress for the recent suspension, we continue to advocate for a full repeal of the tax as it will provide long term stability and certainty for our sector, our companies, jobs and new innovations for patients. Be sure to check back next week for a full update and recap of the trip!
If you’d like us to engage in policy discussions on behalf of your company and the industry, please contact CBSA vice president Jennifer Jones.