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.
IHIF is particularly supportive of policies that contribute to innovation in the health science sector.
IHIF/IMDMC Life Science Day at the Statehouse February 16, 2012 | |
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BIO
The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) hosted state organizations and interested company participants at it's annual fly-in to Washington, D.C. May 3-4, 2011. Participants were welcomed at an orientation session, legislative reception, and meetings with members of Indiana's Federal Delegation.
See BIO's Strategic Plan presented at the BIO Convention in Washington, D.C. June 2011 - "Unleashing the Promise of Biotechnology"
IHIF is the Indiana affiliate of BIO
2012 Fly-In Dates just announced - Save the Date - April 24-25, 2012
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
Health Science Interest Group – Assemble group of interested legislators to inform on industry dynamics and relevant issues.
Get involved
If you would like to know more about the issues and topics IHIF is following, please sign up for our policy updates or follow our blog.
Policy updates are sent to a select distribution list and may include information on IHIF or partner advocacy activities, events, issue briefings, or other related material. 
Currently Tracking
IHIF follows a number of federal and state issues throughout the year. Please see the table below for some of the current issues we are tracking.
| Issue | Status | Position |
| 510(k) Reform | IOM report issued 7/29/11 | oppose |
| Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) | Read recent op-ed | oppose |
| Repeal 2.3% tax on device industry | IHIF coordinating with IMDMC See: H.R.436, H.R.488, H.R.734, S.17, S.262 | support |
| H.R. 2182 Generating Antibiotic Incentives Now (GAIN) | IHIF provided letter of support to Rep. Gingrey Bill referred to House subcommittee on health see also H.R. 965 | support |
| BIO 5 year plan | see "Unleashing the Promise of Biotechnology" | support |
| Cuts to Medicare Part B | IHIF requested IN House members sign on to Lance/Pascrell letter | oppose |
| Cuts to Medicare Part D | Proposed | oppose |
Recent Activities
December 2012
IHIF participates in healthcare reform teleconference with Rep. Marlin Stutzman, members of his staff, and members of the NE IN healthcare community. Provided feedback on transparency in hospital pricing.
November 2011
IHIF signs on to letter of support for extending the Therapeutic Discovery Project Program Tax Credit. Effort organized by BIO. Sign-on information available on our blog
October 2011
Medical Device Field Forum - October 18 at IUPUI - click here for a .pdf of the event flyer
IHIF and IACT Letter to the Editor on Medicare Part D
September 2011
Patent Reform passes US Senate - click here to read BIO's comments.
Patent Reform Primer - guidance article for smaller companies. Also, check our policy blog for related educational events.
IHIF endorses the Campaign for Modern Medicines in support of a clean PDUFA
Hoosier Device Makers Fighting New Tax - Watch Inside Indiana Business interview with Cook's Steve Ferguson
IHIF participates in Washington D.C. fly-in/legislative breakfast briefing with Hoosiers Work for Health and PhRMA.
IHIF attends AdvaMed Conference in Washington, D.C.
IHIF sends letter to members of Indiana House requesting they sign on to a joint letter opposing cuts to Medicare Part B.
July 2011
Participated in Fort Wayne Health Forum hosted by Rep. Marlin Stutzman
IHIF sends letters opposing cuts to Medicare Part B funding to Indiana's Republican House members.
June 2011
IHIF signs on to Hoosiers Work for Health letter to Representative Carson (IN-7) opposing the creation of an Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB).
IHIF participates with other midwestern CSBA organizations in a vaccine development workshop and advocacy training session.
IHIF sends letters supporting the America Invents Act, returning diverted funds from the US Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) for their use in supporting expanded services. Letters were sent to all members of Indiana's Congressional delegation, several of whom have indicated support for the issue.
IHIF sends letter of support for Generating Antibiotic Incentives Now - the GAIN Act (HR 2182) - see release
IHIF attends the BIO International Conference and Exhibition, Washington, D.C. BIO launches their strategic plan "Unleashing the Promise of Biotechnology" - click to download the report (3 MB .pdf) and read remarks by Jim Greenwood, CEO, BIO
May 2011
IHIF joined with Hoosiers Work for Health to participate in the BIO Fly-In to Washington, D.C. May 3-4. We had the opportunity to meet with almost every member of the Indiana delegation and introduced IHIF as an informational resource on the health science industry in the state. Other lead items included patent reform legislation, support for SBIR funding changes, and repeal of the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB). For BIO's issue briefings, click here
IHIF participated in a discussion on the state's health science industry lead by Representative Todd Young at the Purdue Technology Center in New Albany, IN.
April 2011
IHIF joins with IMDMC, BioCrossroads, and OrthoWorx to encourage Senators Coats and Lugar to participate in the newly formed Senate Medical Technology Caucus.
IHIF continues support of patent reform legislation by sending a letter of concern to Representative Pence, a member of the House Judiciary Committee, regarding proposed changes to inter partes review and the inclusion of broader prior user rights in the House version of the bill.
February 2011
IHIF sends letters to Senators Lugar and Coats supporting S. 23 (Patent Reform). IHIF also signs on to similar letter of support with other Hoosiers Work for Health coalition members.
January 2011
Life Science Luncheon Series: Looking Ahead in 2011 - Top Legislative Issues Facing Biotechnology and Medical Devices. Featuring John A. Murphy III, Director State Goverment Relations, Health Policy, BIO and Elizabeth Pika Sharp, Vice President, Government Affairs, AdvaMed. Please click here for a copy of John's slides
1/20/11 - Public Policy Update: FDA Releases 510(k) Report and Plan of Action
December 2010
Last week the President signed the tax compromise package into law. In addition to a 2-year extension of the Bush tax rates for individuals, the bill includes a 2 year retroaction extension of the R&D tax credit from January 1, 2010, through 2011. This bill represents the 14th time the Credit has been renewed since originally enacted into law in 1981. The Alternative Simplified Credit (ASC) rate remains at 14% for 2010 and 2011. The bill also includes a range of other corporate tax extender items. A link to a detailed description of the legislation by the Joint Tax Committee is: http://www.jct.gov/publications.html?func=startdown&id=3716
November 2010IHIF calls initial meeting of its public policy committee on November 4 to discuss upcoming legislative session and initiatives.
IHIF and IMDMC present the 2nd in a series of presentations by Ralph Hall, Baker & Daniels LLP on proposed changes to the 510(k) approval process
IHIF congratulates recipients of the Therapeutic Discovery Project Grants - 35 Indiana companies shared in over $10 million in grants - see IHIF blog post
IHIF president participated in Council of State BioScience Associations Annual Meeting and legislative briefing. Dates for the 2011 BIO Fly-In are announced - May 3-4, 2011.
August 2010
IHIF president Kristin Jones moderated a panel on the "Importance of the Life Sciences and Innovation on Indiana's Economy". The panel presentation was organized in Bloomington by Hoosiers Work for Health and the Council for American Medical Innovation. Follow this link to a copy of the featured report
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
Contact Indiana Legislators
Indiana Federal Congressional Delegation
US House Medical Technology Caucus
Resources
Partner Organizations
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