Health Bill Faces Uncertain Future
Senate Pro Tem Don Perata (D-Oakland) delayed a crucial vote on the $14.5 billion healthcare bill negotiated by Gov. Schwarzenegger and Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez (D-Los Angeles) on Wednesday, Jan. 23, fearing that the sweeping reform plan did not have the votes needed to get out of the Senate Health Committee. Committee Chairwoman Sheila Kuehl (D-Santa Monica) made the announcement about half way through the 11-hour hearing, citing concern from committee members over a report by the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office that suggested the authors had significantly underestimated the cost of providing care to 3.7 million uninsured Californians. The bill will be taken up again in the committee on Monday, giving leadership time to decide how to proceed. Following the hearing, Sen. Perata again said he remains pessimistic about the proposal’s chances, given the state’s projected $14 billion budget deficit and economic slowdown. CHI will carefully monitor the progress of health reform to ensure that policies are not enacted that will harm future innovation in the state.
Board of Pharmacy Reviews Progress on E-Pedigree for Drugs
As part of its quarterly board meeting held Jan. 23 in San Diego, the California Board of Pharmacy discussed the implementation of the state’s electronic pedigree law. Previously the board had asked stakeholders to submit written testimony regarding the current implementation deadline of Jan. 1, 2009, focusing on the reasons why they could or could not meet that date. Under the law, the board has the authority to delay until Jan. 1, 2011, if they believe that will better serve the citizens of California. CHI submitted a statement based on a recent survey of its members outlining several issues that need to be addressed before the industry can move forward with implementation of an interoperable system. At the meeting, most testimony focused on various challenges the industry faces and the need for additional time to comply. However, the board refused to make a decision at the meeting, demanding more concrete information in order to grant a delay. CHI will continue discussions with members, other stakeholders, and policymakers in an attempt to implement a streamlined and efficient system that will protect the integrity of the California supply chain.
Needle Disposal Bill Pulled from Assembly Floor
On Thursday, Jan. 24, AB 501, authored by Assemblyman Sandre Swanson (D-Oakland), was scheduled to be heard on the Assembly Floor. The legislation would require pharmaceutical manufacturers, at the request of a consumer of a prefilled syringe, prefilled pen, or other prefilled injection device administered at home, to provide a prepaid mail-back sharps container. Due to concerns about the requirements under the legislation voiced by CHI and other manufacturers that already offer various needle disposal options, the author decided to pull the bill from the floor and pursue amendments with current opponents of the bill. CHI will continue to work with the author and other interested stakeholders as this bill moves through the legislative process.
Board of Directors Approves State Policy Agenda
At its first meeting of 2008, the CHI board of directors approved the organization’s policy agenda for the year. Given the economic, social and political challenges that are facing the state, 2008 will be an important year for the biomedical community. CHI’s priorities include:
· Improving the business, regulatory and legal environment, particularly with respect to workplace chemicals;
· Ensuring the state’s electronic pedigree requirement is appropriately implemented;
· Protecting biomedical innovation and patient access as legislators attempt to reform the current healthcare system;
· Maintaining strong intellectual property and patent protections.
Registration Open for California Life Sciences Day
Join leaders in biotechnology, medical devices, pharmaceuticals and biomedical research in Sacramento on Wednesday, March 26, to build support for the issues that matter most to California’s medical innovators. Attendees will participate in face-to-face meetings with legislators and state government officials; network at a luncheon featuring a keynote address by leading Sacramento insider Sacramento Bee Columnist Dan Weintraub; and join legislators and their staffs at a closing reception at the historic Sutter Club. In conjunction with the event, an exciting diabetes showcase will be on display that will be open to participants and employees in the Capitol. CHI would like to acknowledge the current sponsors of the event: Amgen, Amylin Pharmaceuticals, BIO, Boston Scientific, Edwards Lifesciences, Gen-Probe Incorporated, Genentech, Gilead Sciences, PhRMA and PFizer. Registration for the event is now open. For more information visit www.lifesciencesday.org or contact David Burt (858.551.6677 or burt@chi.org.)