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State Advocacy

State Policy Initiatives

Ohio Life Sciences collaborates in a non-partisan manner with state officials to promote Ohio’s life sciences ecosystem and support its members. We focus on policies that retain and attract life sciences businesses, working closely with the Administration and General Assembly on key legislative priorities.

Patient Access

OLS is committed to ensuring every Ohioan has access to timely, affordable, and effective care. By fostering innovation, we not only enhance the well-being of Ohioans, but generate cost savings for individuals, companies, insurers, and public entities.

Ensure timely and affordable access to innovative therapies:

proponent

House Bill 8 (Biomarkers)

  • Requires health plans and Medicaid to cover biomarker testing
  • OLS has provided proponent testimony for HB24 and continues to work with the Legislature in support of the bill
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proponent

(Copay Accumulators)

  • This bill has not been re-introduced in the current General Assembly
  • Description: disallows health plans and PBMs from discriminating against patients who use third-party assistance to help pay their out-of-pocket expenses mandated by their coverage plans.
  • This allows for better continuity of care, accurate out-of-pocket costs for patients, and assurance that more Ohioans will be able to access the life-saving care they need.
Learn

interested-party

Pharmacy 340B Program Utilization

  • The debate over 340B is part of a broad discussion about the program’s reach, oversight, transparency and future. OLS strongly believes 340B is a federal issue and should be addressed by the federal government. While multiple states have passed 340B legislation, the resulting patchwork of regulations and mandates is complicated, confusing and in most cases, results in legal challenges that reach as high as the Supreme Court.
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Expand access to treatments and preventative care by utilizing new modalities of healthcare delivery:

proponent

Digital Health Innovations

  • Software-based treatments and diagnostics can reach more patients, including those in remote or underserved areas, providing accessible and cost-effective solutions for managing chronic conditions and detecting diseases earlier.
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Support policies that ensure a resilient supply chain and infrastructure:

opposed

(Canadian Drug Importation)

  • Establishes a program within the state of Ohio to import certain drugs from Canada with the goal of generating cost savings for consumers and allows a third-party entity (on behalf of State Agencies) to negotiate prices and directly purchase prescription drugs from manufacturers
  • OLS has many concerns regarding this concept and we continue to work with the Legislature to address the severe detrimental impact this would have on the industry
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Driving Investment

The life sciences industry is a growing economic driver in Ohio. We want to ensure that Ohio invests in the life-saving and life-changing treatments developed within our state.

OLS advocates for comprehensive support, including venture capital, SBIR/STTR grants, NIH funding, and state funding to fuel growth and innovation among Ohio companies.


Incentivize innovation by advocating for tax credits making Ohio a better place to do business:

interested-party

R&D consumables sales tax exemption

  • Tax exemptions for consumables used in the R&D process for life sciences companies
  • Companies who would greatly benefit from this policy are encouraged to reach out to OLS to help in pursuing this tax exemption
  • Status – OLS is working with the Legislature and our members to better understand the cost to the state.
Learn



Support grant programs  and other financial motivators that support R&D of new therapies:

proponent

SBIR/STTR state match program

  • Establish a program to match the funding Ohio companies receive through Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STT) grants
  • 28 states offer match funding for Phase I and/or Phase II
  • Status – OLS continues to work with the Legislature to find a path forward for this program
Learn

Get involved.

Find Your Representative

Contact your state representative regarding particular legislation

Federal Policy Initiatives

Join us in our advocacy efforts to ensure Ohio’s life sciences industry continues to thrive. Learn more about current legislative priorities and how you can make a difference.

Learn More

Advocacy

Ohio Life Sciences advocates for the state’s life sciences industry, engaging with state and federal lawmakers and fostering partnerships to represent its members’ interests on key policy issues.

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Photo courtesy of Forge Biologics.

I’ve always had a deep interest in healthcare and helping people, and I’ve seen a dramatic change in the practice of pharmacy and pharmaceutical care. This understanding enables me to look ahead and is my driving force. OLS has that same forward-thinking vision.

Eli Phillips, Jr., PharmD, JD Vice President of Business Development & Partnerships | Cell, Gene, & Advanced Therapies, McKesson Corporation

Photo courtesy of Forge Biologics.

Photo courtesy of Forge Biologics.

I am very proud to be a member of the board for Ohio Life Sciences. OLS is the unifying voice representing and advocating for the common interests of the entire life sciences industry.

Stephanie Harrington, MS Chief Executive Officer, Matrix Medical Devices

Photo courtesy of Forge Biologics.

Photo courtesy of Cleveland FES.

As the voice for common interests in the life sciences, OLS aligns with my beliefs and mission to uncover key barriers to patients getting life-saving therapies. I am excited to be a part of OLS’s board; their work and their vision enables the main goal of improved patient outcomes.

Aklilu Tedla, JD Vice President & General Manager, Cardinal Health

Photo courtesy of Cleveland FES.

Photo courtesy of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.

I am committed to championing the pursuit of innovations that promise to transform child health not just in Ohio, but globally. Commitment extends beyond our own advancements; we foster collaborative efforts to address unmet needs in pediatric care.

Todd Ponsky, MD Professor of Surgery, University of Cincinnati | Pediatric Surgeon, Akron Children’s Hospital

Photo courtesy of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.

Photo courtesy of AtriCure.

Ohio Life Sciences is an important resource and advocate for our life sciences industry that AtriCure has benefited from. I’m proud to have an opportunity to help guide the strategic direction of the organization.

Sam Privitera Chief Technical Officer, AtriCure, Inc.

Photo courtesy of AtriCure.