Empowering Members Through Biohealth Advocacy
BioForward’s advocacy efforts are designed to directly benefit biohealth companies in Wisconsin. By educating policymakers and actively engaging in legislative activities, we ensure policies that support industry growth and innovation are prioritized. By being part of BioForward, members gain a powerful ally dedicated to their success and the growth of the entire biohealth ecosystem.
Latest Legislative Activities
We actively engage in legislative activities to influence policies that support the growth and success of Wisconsin’s biohealth industry.
SUPPORT: Universities of Wisconsin’s operating budget request for the 2025-27 biennium
Request of $855 million request over two years allowing Wisconsin to remain competitive against other states through investment in innovative technologies and preparing students to meet the demands of our biohealth industry and other key industries.
SUPPORT: Cole’s Act LRB 1278/1 and LRB 2364/1.
This legislation requires health insurance policies that offer prescription drug benefits, self-insured health plans, and pharmacy benefit managers acting on behalf of policies or plans to apply amounts paid by or on behalf of a person covered under the policy or plan for prescription drugs to any calculation of an out-of-pocket maximum amount or to any cost-sharing requirement of the policy or plan in Wisconsin. For additional information, check out their website at this link WI All Copays Count Coalition (wi4patients.com) and read the recent press release.
Watch this powerful video about why all co-pays count: https://vimeo.com/user13782109/review/818097108/a71ed27fed
MONITORING: 25-27 state budget impacts including business taxes
BioForward actively monitoring 2025-27 state budget discussions regarding impacts to Wisconsin biohealth industry.
SUPPORT: American Innovation and R&D Competitiveness Act of 2023 (HR 1990 & S. 866).
This legislation would repeal the provision that R&D expenses could no longer be deducted in the same taxable year but rather businesses must amortize such deductions over five years for domestic expenditures and 15 years for foreign expenditures. This legislation severely impacted early-stage companies from not being allowed to deduct R&D expenses in the year incurred.
Update 5/25-House reconciliation bill H.R. 1 allows for the immediate deduction of research and development costs.
OPPOSE: Most Favored Nation Pricing
a. This recommendation of adopting foreign price controls would jeopardize patient access to innovative medicines. The absence of price controls in the U.S. leads to more and newer medicines made available sooner to Americans, with better health outcomes for those with serious diseases.
SUPPORT: Ensuring Pathways to Innovative Cures (EPIC) Act-H.R. 1492.
This bipartisan bill addresses the harmful" pill penalty” created by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). This legislation seeks to correct a provision of the law the disincentivizes the development of small molecule drugs—essential treatments for conditions like heart disease, cancer and mental health disorders. Small molecules account for more than 90% of all prescriptions and two-thirds of new drug approvals yearly.
Advocacy Insights
Stay updated with the latest advocacy news and insights. We share important developments and policy changes affecting the biohealth industry, ensuring our members are well-informed.
Discover the remarkable growth and innovation of Wisconsin’s biohealth industry.
The information policymakers need to support a thriving industry driving Wisconsin’s economic recovery.
The information policymakers need to support a thriving industry driving Wisconsin’s economic recovery.
This legislation ensures that copay assistance counts toward patients' out-of-pocket costs, preventing insurers from excluding these payments from deductibles.
Government Affairs Committee
Our Government Affairs Committee represents member interests, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs are addressed at every level of government.
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Find Your Legislators & Legislative Committees
Stay informed and make your voice heard. BioForward periodically issues legislative alerts, encouraging members to contact their senators or representatives on critical biohealth industry issues. Locate your legislators using our interactive map and get involved today.
