Georgia Bio Sign-on to State Medical Technology Alliance HHS & CMS Letter

Georiga Bio sign-on to the State Medical Technology Alliance (SMTA) letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid. Please see the language below.


The Honorable Alex M. Azar II
Secretary
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20201

The Honorable Seema Verma
Administrator
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
7500 Security Boulevard
Baltimore, MD 21244


Dear Secretary Azar and Administrator Verma:

As members of the State Medical Technology Alliance (SMTA), we are state and regional life sciences associations representing biotechnology, medical device companies, universities, research institutions, and venture capital firms across the country, all dedicated to developing and delivering life-enhancing and life-saving products, we write to express our strong support for your leadership in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) efforts to provide coverage for transformative medical devices that are approved as breakthrough devices by the FDA.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for our nation’s health care system to better align care for patients.  We commend HHS for taking swift action to create appropriate waivers and incentives across different health care stakeholders to better address this devastating disease.  Providing patients with access to breakthrough devices would further this push to align care for patients by promoting innovation and providing patients with the latest in life-changing medical technology.

The medical technology industry is an important and thriving sector in the U.S. economy, creating jobs in all 50 states and representing a sizable portion of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product.  The industry is responsible for about 1.9 million jobs in the U.S. and an economic output of approximately $381 billion annually.

Access to state-of-the art medical technology and diagnostics can help to improve care and patient outcomes, and CMS has acknowledged the value of breakthrough products by including a Breakthrough Product Pathway for new technology add-on payments (NTAP) in the Final Rule on the FY 2020 Inpatient Prospective Payment System. 

We commend HHS and CMS for these efforts and urge you to take the next step by providing coverage for all medical devices that are approved and cleared as FDA-designated breakthrough in all settings.  Providing this needed certainty will help ensure the next round of truly life-changing innovation can get to the patients who need them as quickly as possible.

As members of the SMTA, we look forward to working with the Administration to finalize this critical effort.



Sincerely,


Arizona BioIndustry Association (AZBio)

Biocom: Life Science Association of California

BioFlorida

BioForward Wisconsin

BioOhio

Bioscience Association of West Virginia (BioWV)

BioUtah

California Life Sciences Association (CLSA)

Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA)

Florida Medical Manufacturers Consortium (FMMC)

Georgia Bio

Healthcare Institute of New Jersey (HINJ)   

Illinois Biotechnology Innovation Organization (iBIO)

Indiana Health Industry Forum (IHIF)

Indiana Medical Device Manufacturers Council (IMDMC)

Iowa Biotechnology Association (IowaBio)

Kentucky Life Sciences Council

Life Sciences Pennsylvania

Life Science Tennessee

Life Science Washington

Massachusetts Medical Device Industry Council (MassMEDIC)

Medical Alley Association

MedTech Association New York

Michigan Biosciences Industry Association (MichBio)

Mississippi Biotechnology Association

Missouri Biotechnology Association (MOBIO)

NCBIO

SCBIO

Southeast Life Sciences

Texas Healthcare & Bioscience Institute (THBI)

Investing in America’s Biopharmaceutical Infrastructure Strengthens the Economy and Supports Union Workers

By Maria Thacker Goethe • December 20, 2025
The biopharmaceutical industry is growing America’s manufacturing and R&D capabilities to develop the next generation of treatments. A recent study from PILMA quantified the impact of the industry’s investment in American infrastructure on the economy and union workforce across 18 states from 2019-2024. The study found that across the 18 states included, the biopharmaceutical industry: Supported the American economy by investing $86.5B in R&D and manufacturing infrastructure and developing 1000+ construction projects at over 700 distinct facilities. Strengthened the American workforce by generating $2.6B in skilled union wages and providing $19M in support for union apprenticeships. The impact of the biopharmaceutical industry’s investment in American manufacturing and union jobs extends beyond direct benefits, spurring additional economic activity in the communities where workers live. This is known as the multiplier effect . On average, every $1 of new investment in a U.S. biopharmaceutical manufacturing facilities generates an additional $1.59 in further economic activity (2.59x times the initial investment value). The industry’s $86.5B investment in R&D and manufacturing infrastructure has a total economic impact of $224B. Check out this resource to learn more about how biopharmaceutical investment in American infrastructure supports America’s workers and communities. For more on how biopharmaceutical companies are investing in America’s future, visit innovation.org/america-investment .

Georgia Life Sciences Joins National Coalition Urging Congressional Action on Key Innovation Policies

December 10, 2025
Georgia Life Sciences has joined 43 state and regional life sciences organizations in signing a national Council of State Bioscience Associations (CSBA) letter calling on Congress to take immediate action on three bipartisan policy priorities that are essential to sustaining U.S. leadership in biomedical innovation and supporting patients nationwide. With Congress back in session and several critical programs at risk of expiring, the letter urges congressional leaders to advance the following provisions without delay: 1. Reauthorize the Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher (PPRV) Program The PPRV program has been instrumental in incentivizing the development of therapies for children with rare and life-threatening conditions. Its lapse threatens to slow or halt research that families across the country are counting on. 2. Extend the SBIR/STTR Programs The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs provide crucial early-stage capital for emerging biotech and medtech companies—many of them in Georgia. Without reauthorization, hundreds of innovative small businesses face uncertainty, jeopardizing new therapies, diagnostics, and technologies in the pipeline, 3. Advance PBM Transparency Reforms Greater transparency and accountability within pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) practices are needed to ensure that savings reach patients and employers. Reforming PBM operations is essential to strengthening access and affordability across the healthcare system. A Unified Message from the Life Sciences Community The sign-on letter reflects broad, bipartisan alignment across the national life sciences ecosystem: researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, patient advocates, and state associations all share a common message— these programs underpin America’s global competitiveness and are vital to patients who rely on continued scientific progress. Georgia Life Sciences has shared the letter with members of Georgia’s congressional delegation and will continue engaging with policymakers to emphasize the importance of swift action.

GLS Joins Georgia Partners in Calling for Federal PBM Reform

December 7, 2025
Georgia Life Sciences is proud to stand with patient advocates, providers, and employers across the state in urging Congress to take meaningful action on pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reform. We recently signed on to a joint letter to Georgia’s Congressional Delegation stressing the urgent need for transparency, fair practices, and policies that ensure savings flow directly to patients.
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