Last Week:
In DC, the Chairs of the Senate Finance Committee released a framework showcasing how they want to change how pharmacy benefit managers operate. This is the result of a long history of bipartisan work on this front, including during our recent hearing entitled “Pharmacy Benefit Managers and the Prescription Drug Supply Chain: Impact on Patients and Taxpayers.” The Committee identified four key challenges that call for policy solutions.
In Massachusetts, Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development (EOHED) Secretary Yvonne Hao announced the appointment of new undersecretaries and the realigning of the office under new pillars to better focus on key sectors of the economy and ensure continued economic support for all Massachusetts communities and residents. EOHED will now be structured under three pillars of economic development: Economic Foundations, focused on regional, rural, and small business growth, as well as infrastructure, seaport, and military installation support; Economic Strategies, focused on tourism and international trade, new federal opportunities in areas such as life sciences, advanced manufacturing, and clean energy, and the cross-secretariat Workforce Skills Cabinet; and Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation, which will be more fully integrated into the office’s overall economic development strategy.
This Week:
In Massachusetts, the House convened in a full formal session on Monday to begin its days-long work deliberating its FY 2024 Budget Recommendations. The House has 1,566 amendments to consider, three-quarters of which are earmarks for local projects.
MassBio holds its annual State of Possible Conference on Tuesday, focused on Massachusetts’ life sciences ecosystem. Governor Healey will provide morning remarks on her administration’s agenda to make Massachusetts more affordable, grow the state’s competitiveness, create more opportunities for students to pursue STEM careers, and build a pipeline of skilled workers in high-demand industries like the life sciences. The Governor will also sit for a conversation with MassBio CEO and President Kendalle Burlin O’Connell.