IHIF - Advocacy

Advocacy/Public Policy

The Indiana Health Industry Forum provides guidance and leadership on public policy issues that affect the competitiveness of the health and life science industries in the state. This includes identifying policies and legislation that impact the industries, providing position and policy statements for the approval of the IHIF board of directors, and developing policies that will favorably affect the industries. IHIF also promotes Indiana sectors of excellence to a broad audience.

BIO Fly-In 2010

Issue Briefings provided by BIO

IHIF Public Policy Committee

Mission statement: To provide guidance and leadership on public policy issues that affect the competitiveness of the health and life science industries in the state of Indiana.

Objectives:

To identify policies and legislation that impact the industries
To provide position and policy statements for the approval of the IHIF board of directors
To develop policies that will favorably affect the industries

Activities:

Clinical Trials Working Groups - Working to identify how Indiana can develop a competitive advantage in clinical trials activity. Sub-committees are examining how to conduct more trials in the state, the advantages of state or regional IRBs, the incentive structure for clinical research, and comparing IN to other state and national programs.

Statewide Strategic Plan – Oversee main committee and identify special working groups to evaluate needs and make recommendations

Life Science Day at Statehouse – Organize informational display

Bio-Caucus – Assemble strategic group of legislators to inform on relevant issues.

Recent Activities

June 2010

Special briefing for IHIF members only on proposed changes to the 510(k) approval process - presented by Ralph Hall, Baker & Daniels LLP

May 2010

Webinar For IHIF Members only on "10 Common Misperceptions on the R&D Tax Credit Program", presented by The FreeMind Group, LLC

April 2010

BIO Webinar on Understanding the Therapeutic R&D Tax Credit

Clinical Trials Working Group held second networking event

Participated in BIO-Fly-In to meet with members and legislative staff of the Indiana Congressional Delegation in Washington, D.C.

January 2010

Clinical Trials Working Group held first networking event. More planned!

IHIF sent letters to House members supporting a therapeutic discovery tax credit for small businesses

IHIF sent letters to Senators and House members asking them to continue supporting a 12 year period of data exclusivity for biologics

December 2009

IHIF signed on to a joint position letter sent to Indiana Senators Bayh and Lugar

IHIF Life Science Lunch - Healthcare Reform:Impacts on Innovation

November 2009

IHIF signed on to BIO-sponsored letter to Congressman Donnelly supporting amendment of the Investor Protection Act

October 2009

IHIF sent letters to Senators Bayh and Lugar supporting 12 year patent protection for biologic drugs

IHIF signed on to letter to Senators Bayh and Lugar opposing tax on medical device industry

September 2009

IHIF hosted Healthcare Reform Conference on Sept. 9

IHIF met with Congressman Joe Donnelly in South Bend

IHIF sent letters of opposition on proposed tax on medical device industry to Senators Bayh and Lugar

IHIF signed on to a BIO-sponsored letter supporting HR 422 and S1203 support for permanent and strengthened R&D tax credit

August 2009

IHIF met with Congressman Baron Hill in New Albany

With PhRMA and Hoosiers Work for Health, included IHIF logo on ads encouraging Indiana legislators to participate in bi-partisan healthcare reform efforts

July 2009

Hosted Hoosiers Work for Health panel discussion on healthcare innovation

IHIF signed on to BIO-sponsored letter of support for Eschoo-Barton amendment for support of patent protection for biologic drugs

Senator Lugar's statement on Healthcare Reform

Senator Bayh's position statement on Healthcare