Policy Impact - United States

CSL Behring is committed to educating decision-makers and influencing public policies to ensure patient access to care. The company has an active public affairs group in the United States including Dennis Jackman, Sr. Vice President for Public Affairs; Patrick Collins, Director, Public Affairs; Kim Isenberg, Manager State Government Affairs and Ryan Faden, Manager State Government Affairs. All four have extensive public policy backgrounds and work closely with affected stakeholders and political thought leaders to affect change.

Q2 2010

Article I: Health Care Reform—Impact on People Who Use Plasma Therapies

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will result in certain positive benefits for those who rely on plasma therapies, but there are potential issues as well. More

Article II: Raise Your Voice! and Standards of Care

Many political pundits have credited America’s youth and their increase in voter turnout in the 2008 election for significantly impacting its outcome. Just as youth were mobilized to vote in 2008, they are becoming empowered to bring their voices and stories to their state capitals. More

Public Policy Newsletter - US Q2 2010 (PDF, 561 KB)

Q1 2010

Article I: Health Care Reform: What Happens Now?

Throughout 2009, momentum was building towards passage as the House of Representatives passed their version by a 220-215 vote; followed by the Senate passing a different version by a 60-39 vote. As the two chambers were negotiating the differences in their respective bills, an unexpected thing happened. More

Article II: CSL Behring Awards $87,000 In LEAD Grants

As part of its Local Empowerment for Advocacy Development (LEAD) program, CSL Behring recently awarded four advocacy grants totaling $87,000 to patient organizations in the United States. LEAD grants support grassroots advocacy efforts by organizations committed to helping people who use plasma-derived or recombinant therapies to manage their health conditions. Since the LEAD program’s inception in 2008, CSL Behring has awarded more than $340,000 in four semi-annual grant cycles. More

Public Policy Newsletter - US Q1 2010 (PDF, 1.80 MB)

Q4 2009

Article I: Plasma Collection Centers: Impacting the Community

In late August, CSL Plasma held grand opening ceremonies at two new plasma collection centers in Corpus Christi and Fort Worth, Texas. The ceremonies provided an opportunity for CSL Plasma to raise awareness about the impact of plasma collection centers on local communities. More

Article II: Cost Containment Becoming More Common—Case in Point: Minnesota

In these difficult economic times public and private payors of health care are scrutinizing every penny. Many payors are considering implementation of cost containment measures such as preferred drug lists (PDL’s) and fail-first policies, where an individual must illustrate failure of an alternate therapy before a preferred therapy can be used. CSL Behring shares the opinions of patient organizations in opposing such cost containment measures, particularly when they may limit patient access to care. More

Article III: Health Care Reform—Summarized in the Next Issue of Policy Impact

Health care reform legislation continues to be hotly debated in the United States Congress. The House of Representatives has approved their version of legislation by a vote of 220-215, and the Senate recently released their bill. In the next issue of Policy Impact, we will review the status of health care reform legislation and highlight its impact on those who rely on plasma derived and recombinant therapies. More

Public Policy Newsletter - US Q4 2009 (PDF, 389 KB)

Summer 2009

Article I: Health Care Reform
Will Plasma and Recombinant Therapies be Protected?

As part of his platform in running for the presidency, Barack Obama pledged to reform the health care system in the United States. Now that he is in office, President Obama is strongly advocating for such reform as his highest domestic priority. More

Article II: CSL Behring Awards Third Round of LEAD Grants
Six LEAD Grants Totaling $100,000 Awarded
Fourth Round Submission Deadline is October 31, 2009

CSL Behring awarded new Local Empowerment for Advocacy Development (LEAD) grants to six organizations. LEAD grants support grassroots advocacy efforts for organizations committed to helping people who use plasma-derived and recombinant therapies to manage their health conditions. More

Article III: A LEAD Grant at Work
Ensuring Quality Health Care in Missouri

In June 2008, CSL Behring awarded a LEAD grant to the Gateway Hemophilia Association (GHA) in support of their efforts to shape state public policy, which will set minimum standards for the care for people living with bleeding disorders in the state of Missouri. More

Article IV: In Difficult Times—Advocacy Makes a Difference in Texas

2009 has proven to be the most challenging year for state governments since the Great Depression. At least 40 states faced budget deficits and for those states in the black, most were barely treading water. More

Public Policy Newsletter - US Summer 2009 (PDF, 569 KB)

Spring 2009

Article I: CSL Behring Awards Second Round of LEAD Grants

Last December, CSL Behring announced the awarding of five additional Local Empowerment for Advocacy Development (LEAD) grants for a combined total of $65,200. To date the company has awarded more than $150,000 in grants through the LEAD program. LEAD grants support grassroots advocacy efforts by organizations committed to helping people who use plasma-derived and recombinant therapies to manage their health conditions. More

Article II: Standards of Care Introduced in Minnesota

A growing number of people living with primary immune deficiencies, alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency, hemophilia and von Willebrand disease are experiencing problems accessing their medically appropriate therapies and services. This is due in large part to cost-containment measures by state Medicaid and other public programs and private insurers. These patients and their families have learned that politics is not a spectator sport. They have made advocacy a primary focus. The patient organizations have joined forces with providers and industry to tackle the complex legislative and regulatory policy issues that affect quality of care and provide access to their lifesaving therapies so they can lead productive lives. Standards of Care legislation offer protection to people living with these rare genetic disorders. More

Article III: The Economic Downturn and Its Impact on Patient Access

The current economic downturn in the United States is purported to be the worst financial crisis since at least World War II. While we read about the impact of the crisis on major corporations and financial institutions, less attention has been focused on state budgets. Approximately 40 states anticipate budget deficits for fiscal year 2009-10 while many states have serious cash flow problems in the current fiscal year, resulting in mid-year budget cuts. More

Public Policy Newsletter - US Spring 2009 (PDF, 463 KB)

Fall 2008/Winter 2009

Article I: CSL Behring Partners with Hemophilia of Michigan for Raise Your Voice! Program

The Hemophilia Foundation of Michigan (HFM) partnered with CSL Behring to teach advocacy skills to young people with bleeding disorders. This youth-advocacy training program, called Raise Your Voice!, was held on October 25-26, 2007 in Jackson, Michigan. Nearly 30 youth leaders from across the state of Michigan convened to learn about the legislative process and their important role in ensuring quality health care for people living with rare and chronic diseases. More

Article II: State of Nevada Honors Life Work of Renee Paper

On November 7, 2007, the bleeding disorders community lost an indefatigable advocate when Renee Paper passed away. Renee Paper was a registered nurse and distinguished von Willebrand disease (VWD) expert and advisor. More

Article III: Obama Wins Presidency; Democrats Increase their Majority in Congress

In a history-making presidential election, Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) was elected as the 44th President of the United States. Mr. Obama defeated Republican candidate Senator John McCain of Arizona. More

Article IV: CSL Behring Public Policy Team Increasing in Size

CSL Behring has added a new manager for state government affairs, Ryan Faden. Ryan will advocate on state issues in the eastern half of the United States while Kim Isenberg will handle the western portion of the United States. More

Public Policy Newsletter - US Fall 2008/Winter 2009 (PDF, 498 KB)

Summer 2008

Article I: Seven Patient Advocacy Organizations Receive Initial CSL Behring LEAD Grants

CSL Behring recently awarded seven Local Empowerment for Advocacy Development (LEAD) grants totaling more than $90,000 to patient advocacy organizations in the United States. The seven grants represent the initial round of awards in CSL Behring’s LEAD program. More

Article II: Protecting the Florida Alpha-1 Screening and Detection Program

During the 2008 legislative session Florida faced a $3.4 billion deficit. Like most states, Florida is legally barred from running a deficit or borrowing to cover its operating expenditures. As a result of this fiscal crisis, lawmakers had three basic actions to choose from: draw down reserves, cut expenditures, or raise taxes. More

Article III: Congress Approves Medicare Bill Over Presidential Veto

In mid-July, the US House and Senate overrode President Bush’s veto of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act. More

Article IV: Senate Committee Approves Language for Alpha-1 Treatment Guideline

On June 26, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved funding for the Department of Health and Human Services, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH). More

Public Policy Newsletter - US Summer 2008 (PDF, 365 KB)

Spring 2008

Article I: Senator John Kerry Introduces IVIg Access Legislation

CSL Behring is committed to improving patient access to care by providing decision makers with the information necessary to develop appropriate public policies. The United States version of Policy Impact periodically reviews U.S. policy trends and developments. More.

Article II: Building Awareness and Access to Care Through Partnership

Since hemophilia and von Willebrand Disease (VWD) are diagnosed in only a small percentage of the population awareness and understanding of these conditions and their treatment is low. More.

Article III: In California…

Organizations that effectively influence public policy develop partnerships with the government. In this way policymakers and their staff seek the advice and input of these partners as they deliberate changes to public policy. More.

Article IV: ...and in Minnesota

As part of nationwide efforts to build support for standards of care legislation, a coalition of patient advocates attended a legislative day on April 23, 2008 at the State Capitol in St. Paul, Minnesota. More.

Public Policy Newsletter - US Spring 2008 (PDF, 1 MB )

Winter 2008

Article I: CSL Behring Launches Local Empowerment for Advocacy Development (LEAD) Program

The Local Empowerment for Advocacy Development (LEAD) Program is a novel program that will allow CSL Behring to partner with local patient organizations in the pursuit of advocacy initiatives. CSL Behring believes that successful advocacy results from the empowerment of those that are impacted by the issue being addressed. Many public policies that affect the users of blood plasma and recombinant therapies are now typically being developed at both the state and federal level; therefore, local organizations need to develop the capability to address this pressing need. More.

Article II: Three States Preserve Access to Care

The bleeding disorders community in Alabama was confronted with such a threat in November 2006 when the Director of Pharmacy issued a letter to hemophilia providers announcing “a change to reimbursement for factor replacement therapies based upon Public Health Service (PHS) rates.” This proposed reimbursement structure would prevent providers without access to PHS pricing from serving their patients enrolled in the state Medicaid program. A coalition of concerned stakeholders quickly came together to confront this threat. Not only did the stakeholders meet the challenge, they turned the threat into an opportunity to achieve two very important victories for people living with bleeding disorders enrolled in Alabama Medicaid. More.

Article III: Congress Approves Limited Medicare Bill

In one of the last acts of their 2007 session, Congress passed Medicare legislation that delayed pending cuts to Medicare physician reimbursement.

Due to major differences of opinion between the Democratic leadership in the House and Senate and veto threats from the Bush Administration about the costs of more expansive proposals, Congress was only able to agree on a narrow piece of legislation. A key provision of this legislation was a 6-month temporary increase of 0.5% in Medicare reimbursement for physician administration of therapies, including intravenous immune globulin and Alpha1 proteinase inhibitor. More.

Public Policy Newsletter - US WInter 2008 (PDF, 498 KB)

Fall 2007

Article I: As Proven in Illinois—People Matter

The Hemophilia Foundation of Illinois (HFI), historically active in its interaction with policy-makers, has a winning grassroots strategy designed to engage, organize and mobilize the bleeding disorders community. HFI’s efforts were rewarded on July 2, 2007, when Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich signed legislation amending the Illinois Hemophilia Care Act to reinstate the Hemophilia Advisory Review Board. This legislation establishes an official body to advise the State on policy issues that affect the health and wellness of people with bleeding disorders. More.

Article II: Hemophila Standards of Care Bill Has Two Hearings in Pennsylvania

In September 2007, Representative Anthony DeLuca, chairman of the Pennsylvania House Insurance Committee chaired two hearings about the proposed Pennsylvania Hemophilia Standards of Care Act. The hearings took place at the Hemophilia Treatment Centers (HTC) located at the University of Pittsburgh and the Hershey Medical Center. These hearings featured testimony from the Executive Directors of the two state hemophilia patient organizations and the directors of the two HTCs. Additionally, each hearing featured a man with hemophilia, a parent of children with bleeding disorders and a woman with VWD. All the speakers advocated for this legislation. More.

Article III: U.S. House Committee Chairs Pledge Assistance on IVIg Access

In late July 2007, U.S. Representative Kevin Brady (R-TX) offered H.R. 2914—The Medicare IVIg Access Act—as an amendment to the State Children’s Health Improvement Act reauthorization, which was under consideration by the House Ways and Means Committee. Representative Brady entered into a colloquy with the Chairman of the committee, Charles Rangel (D-NY), the Health subcommittee Chairman, Pete Stark (D-CA) and the ranking Republican on the committee, Jim McCrery (R-LA) regarding his amendment. More.

Public Policy Newsletter - US Fall 2007 (PDF, 255 KB)

Spring 2007

Article I: The Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 and its Impact on Medicaid

On February 8, 2006, President Bush signed into law the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (DRA). The DRA includes net reductions of $4.8 billion over the next five years from Medicaid, the program that partners with states to provide health coverage and long-term care assistance to over 39 million people in low-income families and 12 million elderly and disabled people. Users of plasma therapies rely on Medicaid as a form of insurance, including approximately one-third of Americans with hemophilia. More.

Article II: Preserving Medicare Access to Plasma Therapeutics in 2007

Medicare is the federal insurance program available for individuals who are 65 years of age or older and those classified as disabled.  Many individuals who rely on plasma therapeutics qualify for Medicare due to disability. Therefore positively impacting Medicare policy is a central role for CSL Behring and its public affairs team. More.

Public Policy Newsletter - US Spring 2007 (PDF, 66 KB)

Summer 2007

Article I: Increased Support for Legislation Improving Access to Medigap for the Disabled

On March 1, 2007, U.S. Representatives Phil English (R-PA) and Bobby Rush (D-IL) introduced the Medigap Access Improvement Act (HR 1282). This legislation would create a national requirement for private insurers to make available Medigap supplemental insurance plans for purchase by Medicare beneficiaries who are disabled. At present, there is such a requirement for Medicare beneficiaries who qualify due to age, but no similar requirement for the disabled. Most users of blood plasma and recombinant therapies who qualify for Medicare do so because they are disabled. More

Article II: Partnering with Patients

2007 began a new legislative cycle and a new opportunity to educate state lawmakers about plasma protein therapies, differentiate this industry from “big pharma” and help lawmakers understand the special needs of individuals who use these life-saving therapies. CSL Behring has worked closely with consumers, families, providers and industry to ensure access to the highest quality of care. More

Article III: Medicare Creates Individual IVIg Reimbursement Codes; Legislation Sought That Will Improve Access

For nearly three years CSL Behring has been working in collaboration with patient advocacy organizations such as the Immune Deficiency Foundation, Jeffrey Modell Foundation, GBS/CIDP Foundation International and other stakeholders to address the existing IVIg access problem for Medicare beneficiaries. These problems have been largely caused by insufficient Medicare reimbursement for IVIg. More

Public Policy Newsletter - US Summer 2007 (PDF, 278 KB)