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New Federal Healthcare Plan Proposal; Funding Deadline in Congress; SB 895 Research Bond Introduced in State Senate; San Diego Mayor Gives State of the City Address; San Mateo Gains New Leadership; New MOU Signed in LA; and more.
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Trump Administration Releases New Healthcare Plan Proposal
Last week, the Trump Administration released “ The Great Healthcare Plan,” proposing reforms to lower drug prices and premiums while increasing transparency. Notably, the plan would codify Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) pricing. MFN has long raised concerns across the life sciences sector, as it risks importing foreign price controls that could undermine U.S. biomedical innovation, investment, and patient access to medicines. Biocom is closely tracking these developments and engaging policymakers to protect innovation while advancing affordability.
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Advocating for Our Members
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Federal ► Funding Deadline Looms Over Congress
- Appropriators released the final FY26 Labor-HHS-Education bill this week as part of a four-bill package aimed at keeping the government open past the January 30 funding deadline.
- Timing remains a key challenge. With the House in session this week and the Senate out, pressure is mounting to move the package quickly and avoid a short-term continuing resolution (CR). A CR would only extend current FY25 funding levels, delaying new program increases and policy direction, thus creating uncertainty for federal agencies and grant recipients.
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State ► SB 895 Research Bond Includes Drug Discount and CalRx Production Provisions
- Senator Scott Wiener introduced SB 895, a bill that would place a $23 billion bond on the November 2026 ballot to fund scientific research in California and create the California Foundation for Science and Health Research to support research grants, loans and facilities across health, agriculture and pandemic preparedness.
- For our members, SB 895 would tie new research investment with major affordability and commercialization provisions, including an option for the state to manufacture pharmaceuticals whose discoveries were partially funded by the bond in order to achieve drug discounts for Californians and to sell for profit to other states. Biocom is reviewing the potential impacts and discussing them with the author and stakeholders.
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San Diego ► Mayor Todd Gloria Gives State of the City Address and Convenes Annual Biocom Roundtable
- Mayor Todd Gloria’s 2026 State of the City on January 15 acknowledged budget and infrastructure challenges, including his efforts to address a $318M deficit over the last year. He emphasized housing as his top priority, citing increased home permitting and declining rents, along with expanded homelessness efforts, infrastructure investments via Measure C, and continued leadership focused on building San Diego’s future together.
- His address aligned with the discussion members had with him on January 8 during our annual mayoral roundtable. Leaders from across our membership engaged in a candid discussion on shared priorities, including housing and homelessness, infrastructure investment, permitting timelines, affordability, and stronger coordination between the city and industry. The conversation underscored the value of ongoing collaboration to support innovation, economic growth and a thriving region for all stakeholders.
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Bay Area ► San Mateo County Board Leadership Reorganization
- The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors appointed Noelia Corzo as president and Ray Mueller as vice president for 2026. Corzo’s primary goals include enhancing government transparency, ensuring neighborhood safety and providing critical support for working families across the county.
- Biocom looks forward to continuing to work with the County of San Mateo and the newly appointed president and vice president on matters most impactful for our members.
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Greater Los Angeles ► MOU Signed Between LA and Enterprise Singapore
- The City of Los Angeles and Enterprise Singapore have signed a new three year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen economic ties and attract global investment.
- The agreement identifies life sciences, including medical technology, diagnostics, and digital health, as a priority sector, alongside advanced manufacturing and clean technology. The partnership aims to support cross border collaboration, business expansion, and job creation in the LA region.
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Federal:
- The House approved bipartisan legislation to extend ACA premium tax credits for three years. Although Senate passage is uncertain, the bill is now a vehicle for bipartisan negotiations focused on adding guardrails such as income caps and limits on zero-premium plans as open enrollment concludes.
- Biocom submitted comments responding to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy’s Request for Information on Accelerating the American Scientific Enterprise.
- CMMI proposed two new mandatory most-favored nation pricing models, GLOBE and GUARD, for certain drugs covered under Medicare Part B and D, respectively.
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State:
- Governor Gavin Newsom’s proposal projects $9 billion more in revenue than previously expected and a modest $2.9 billion shortfall, relying heavily on continued gains from the tech and AI driven-economy, standing in contrast to the Legislative Analyst’s Office forecast of a much larger deficit.
- New Senate President pro Tempore Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara) is entering her first year leading the Senate as lawmakers confront a constrained budget environment and significant federal funding cuts.
- For Biocom members, a constrained budget environment means tougher decisions on which bills advance, how aggressively new spending proposals are limited, and how existing programs are protected, shaping the legislative landscape for health care, innovation and economic policy.
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Upcoming Committee Meetings and Events
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Biocom
For over 30 years, Biocom has advanced the life science industry with transformative resources that accelerate innovation. We help companies build meaningful connections and gain valuable insights through Conferences & Events, deliver access to Funding & Partnering opportunities, provide Group Purchasing solutions that drive efficiency and savings, champion Policy & Advocacy that protects and advances the innovation ecosystem, and strengthen talent pipelines through Workforce Development. Biocom is how the life science industry gets connected.
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