Eddie Pauline testifying in support of coverage for biomarker testing, Ohio House Bill 608
We wear a lot of hats at BioOhio. We are advocates who try to pave a smoother path for the life sciences in Ohio. We are connectors, helping entrepreneurs, scientists, and engineers bring their visions to life. And we are resources, bringing good, sound information to the decision-makers across our state to help them navigate difficult choices.
I have come to believe this is especially true for our work at the Ohio Statehouse. Our legislators are asked – and often expected – to be experts on pretty much everything. When I am at the Statehouse, I continue to be surprised by the number of advocacy groups I see doing their good work to educate our public policymakers on the issues that are important to them.
The topics our lawmakers wrestle with can often be complex, and that is especially true when it comes to our life sciences industry. That complexity is one reason we’ve focused our efforts on talking with our lawmakers in Ohio’s capital, not just to advocate for the industry we represent – though, of course, we want to do that, too – but to be resources who can provide support and knowledge to legislators as they debate and discuss the bills that will affect our industry and how people in Ohio engage with the health and life sciences.
Legislating is not easy, and it has become even more challenging in recent years. The public, and by extension, the lawmakers who represent us at the statehouse and in Washington, D.C., are frequently divided. However, I believe our industry can be a source of consensus building with its high-paying jobs and innovations to heal and save the lives of people we care about.
Science, as we all know, can be intimidating. Full disclosure that I think will surprise no one: It has been to me in the past, too. Although I have a degree in Geology, I’m no expert in drug development, gene modification, and clinical trial management. But, like many of our lawmakers, I have a deep appreciation for what science can do. And I have learned much from our health and life sciences leaders across our state about their work – about gene and cell therapy, the logistics of manufacturing pharmaceuticals, the medical device approval process, and the development, testing and education required to grow this industry into what I know it can be.
It’s the reason BioOhio has been advocating and testifying at the statehouse when it feels right to do so, such as supporting access to biomarker testing, protecting the ability for companies to grow and innovate, and supporting educational opportunities for students studying to become scientists. The life sciences are critical, not just to Ohio’s economic success but to the health and wellbeing of its people. Our industry develops life-saving therapies for kids with rare illnesses. It identifies new treatments for common ones. And it provides high-paying jobs for people across the state.
We need to clarify the impacts the life sciences can make on our economy and our lives, and we need to arm our decision-makers with sound information so they can make educated choices. We’re here to be that resource, and we’re looking forward to building a coalition of legislative and public support, in partnership with our members, for a critically important industry in Ohio.
Eddie Pauline
President & CEO
BioOhio