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

 Invitation Sponsor Info
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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.  join now

 

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.

 

 IssueStatus
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 2010

IHIF 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 Senators

Indiana Federal Congressional Delegation

Indiana General Assembly

US House Medical Technology Caucus

 

Resources

Health Reform Connect

About the Service

Partner Organizations

 

 

BIO
HWH
IMDMC

 

 

Saturday, February 4, 2012