Healthcare

Health care researchers working in life science lab

Arizona’s focus on life science and health innovation is important for both our state’s citizens and life science national ranking alike. Our state’s innovators are constantly working to develop pioneering treatments and cures that can help the quality of life for all Arizonans. These healthcare initiatives relate closely to the quality of life for our state’s citizens including troops, veterans, and the seniors who helped build the country we currently live in.

What is The Arizona Health Innovation Trust Fund (AHIT)?

The Arizona Health Innovation Trust Fund (AHIT) was established in 2022 under Arizona Revised Statute section 41-177. AHIT represents a lasting endowment fund that encompasses money continually allocated by public and private funding. On an annual basis, the Arizona State Treasurer is responsible for allocating four percent of the monetary resources within AHIT to an entity that fulfills a set of specific requirements. This is a permanent endowment that provides annual distributions to a 501c3 non-profit that:

  • Provides entrepreneurial education, mentoring, and support to persons in the health innovation and healthcare delivery sectors.
  • Provides programs that support workforce development. 
  • Provides programs that support the development and commercialization of health innovation.
  • Has entered into an endowment agreement with the treasurer that includes investment procedures, maturity timelines, other requirements established by the Treasurer, and entity reporting requirements. 

This non-profit entity must submit an annual report, as prescribed by the Treasurer, to the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Treasurer by each December 31. 

This eligible entity must first and foremost be a charitable organization. Furthermore, it should provide valuable support to individuals engaged in the health innovation and healthcare delivery sectors, including entrepreneurial education, mentoring, and guidance. Additionally, it should offer programs that contribute to workforce development, as well as initiatives that promote the advancement and commercialization of health innovation. 

The Importance of Health Science Innovation

Arizona’s status as a health innovation center means there are constant developments moving forward in the state’s medical space and plenty of breakthroughs awaiting in the discovery pipeline. 

These exciting ideas require the necessary resources to fully thrive in the Arizona innovation landscape. The innovators and entrepreneurs working hard in the medical space can benefit from initiatives like AHIT by using accumulated funds to help progress their medical projects forward in research and development.  The focus of the fund emphasizes the smaller bioscience ventures that exist to propel Arizona’s medical innovation setting into the future. Rather than being a cost to the state, AHIT should be seen as a great investment for the state itself and for its inhabitants. 

The important medical projects being developed in the state vary in purpose but serve many crucial outcomes. Medical advancements are being made in areas such as:

  • Screenings and Diagnostics
  • Drugs, Biologics, and Vaccines
  • Medical Devices and Tools
  • Health IT

Arizona’s focus on life science and health innovation through initiatives like AHIT  demonstrates the state’s commitment to improving the quality of life for its citizens. The investments made in the health innovation sector, along with the expertise of organizations like Dorn Policy Group, Inc., further solidify Arizona’s position as a leading hub for life sciences.

If you or your organization would like more information on how to support The Arizona Health Innovation Trust Fund or attend the annual Ponte Cura, The Bridge To Cures benefit supporting The Arizona Health Innovation Trust Fund through AZAdvances on September 29, 2023 visit www.azadvances.org

Dorn Policy Group, Inc. Advocates for Arizona

When you partner with a government relations firm like Dorn Policy Group, Inc., you’re not just getting our support. You gain an invaluable partner who advocates for your success. With nearly 60 years of combined experience, we’re experts in obtaining the results you need for success. Contact us today to learn more about our services and what we can do for you. 

A bottle of prescription drugs sitting on top of cash

Prescription drug price reforms are a major part of pending legislation in Congress. With prescription costs on the rise, Americans are dealing out large sums of cash to afford prescriptions. Americans pay more than three times what patients pay for the same brand of drugs in other first-world countries. Voters across the country are voicing their opinions on lowering the price of prescription drugs, but where do Arizona voters stand on the issue?

Dorn Policy Group, Inc. is one of Arizona’s top public affairs firms. We partner with organizations to ensure their business goals are met and voices are heard by Arizona’s elected officials. Read our blog post below and learn what Arizona voters think about prescription drug pricing legislation in Congress.  

Impact of High Prescription Drug Prices in Arizona

A study conducted by Data for Progress on behalf of Protect Our Care and Patients For Affordable Drugs Now, shows almost 8 out of 10 (79%) believe prescription drug costs are “unreasonable.” While many patients will spare the cash even for overpriced medication, these prices make prescriptions inaccessible to some. 

A survey commissioned by AARP Arizona found that one-third of voters have decided not to fill a prescription that a doctor has given them in the last two years. These steep prices have a stronger effect on minorities, as nearly half (46%) of Hispanic or Latino voters in Arizona have skipped filling a prescription, compared to only 29 percent of white voters. 

Should Medicare Have the Power to Negotiate the Price of Prescriptions?

Every year, Medicare spends more than $129 billion on prescription drugs, but is legally prohibited from negotiating with companies to get better prices. Congress is working on a plan that gives Medicare the power to negotiate lower prescription drug prices. The voter support study conducted by Data for Progress shows the overwhelming, bipartisan support for this reform across Arizona.  The data shows that 90 percent of Arizona voters back reforms that give Medicare the power to negotiate.

Arizona’s Stance on Other Proposals to Lower Prescription Drug Prices

Giving Medicare the power to negotiate was the most favored initiative for Arizona voters, but is not the only proposal pending in Congress. Other proposals include: 

  • Prevent charging the US more than other countries
  • Closing price loopholes
  • Putting a cap on seniors’ drug expenditures
  • Penalizing drug companies that raise their prices higher than inflation

A penalty of pharmaceutical companies raising prices higher than inflation was the least favored initiative in the survey,  but still garnered support from 84 percent of voters. An overwhelming majority of Arizona’s electorate agrees: Congress needs to tackle high prescription drug costs because some people can’t afford to buy medicine and pay for other necessities.

Would Lower Prescription Drug Prices Hurt Pharma Innovation?

While lowering prescription drug prices is highly favorable amongst Arizona voters, pharma’s top argument is that this type of reform could slow innovation and development of new prescription options. A majority of Arizona voters believe there must be a way to reduce prescription drug prices without stunting new product development, with 89 percent agreeing with the statement that “prices can be lowered without harming innovation.”

Dorn Policy Group, Inc. Advocates for Arizona

As one of the leading Arizona public affairs firms, we know how important it is to have relationships with key elected officials and community leaders. With such a large, diverse community, it can be difficult getting your voice heard. Dorn Policy Group, Inc. ensures you are represented in the best possible light. Contact us today and learn how we can help your business find success through strong government relations.

AZadvances researcher working at a lab desk

Here at Dorn Policy Group, Inc., we are proud of the work we do and the relationships we build. As an Arizona-based company, we strive to better our community, and one way we do just that is by partnering with organizations with that same mission in mind. AZAdvances is one of those organizations. They work with Arizona researchers and early-stage life science companies that are discovering, developing, and delivering treatments and cures for some of our greatest health challenges. We are honored to partner with this industry-leading organization and look forward to continuing our work toward a healthier Arizona.

Dorn Policy Group, Inc. was founded on the belief that integrity, tenacity, and client results should be the cornerstones of quality government relations. Since then, we have become one of Arizona’s leading government relations firms and have assisted many well-known companies with their government affairs. Read our article below to learn more about our partnership with AZAdvances.

Who is AZAdvances?

Our client is on a mission to advance health innovations from discovery to development to delivery, by providing ongoing funding and support that moves Arizona discoveries into development. The lack of Arizona-based funding for research and early-stage life science companies can hinder health innovations that benefit all Arizonans. That is why they have partnered with Dorn Policy Group, Inc. – to create a sustainable funding source to address the needs of Arizona-based companies to develop and advance healthcare solutions.

What Does Dorn Policy Group Do for AZAdvances?

Advocacy is key for any company on a mission for change. That is where Dorn Policy Group, Inc. comes in. We provide strategic counsel and issue management, as well as advocate for policies on behalf of our client. Additionally, we alert them to key legislative deadlines to ensure they stay on top of current legislation that may require their attention.

Furthermore, we assist AZAdvances by:
● Monitoring government-related activity that can potentially affect their organization and industry
● Cultivating community relationships in both the public and private sectors to secure project funding
● Educating elected officials on policies and initiatives that promote a robust and competitive bioscience industry in Arizona and develop strong professional partnerships with other like-minded organizations
● Informing our client on existing laws and regulations, as well as proposed legislation that may hinder their operations. Additionally, we provide information to help make educated decisions and take strategic steps to further advance their mission

Dorn Policy Group Moves Companies Forward With Strong Government Relations

As one of the top Arizona lobbyists, we know how important it is to be noticed by key elected officials and community leaders. AZAdvances is an excellent example of a company on a mission to better our community by funding Arizona’s growing bioscience industry. We are proud to assist in their initiative and look forward to their future growth.
By partnering with Dorn Policy Group, you can rest assured knowing that you have skilled advocates looking out for your best interests. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you today.

stethoscope and heart next to an insurance health claim form on a blue background

Here at Dorn Policy Group, Inc., we are hard at work for our clients during the 2021 Legislative Session. We are highlighting one of our clients, the School of Cardiac and Vascular Ultrasound Program, at the Arizona Heart Foundation. The Arizona Heart Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to the on-going fight against cardiovascular disease. Their main vision and goal is to provide complimentary ultrasound screenings to underserved and/or at-risk adult populations throughout rural Arizona counties. But how do they plan to accomplish this? That is where Dorn Policy Group, Inc. steps in.

The Project

Did you know that heart disease is the #1 killer in the United States? Every year 1,000,000 people die of heart disease in the U.S. The School of Cardiac and Vascular Ultrasound Program is trying to identify those residents who are at risk. Dorn Policy Group, Inc. is helping them capture funding to provide complimentary screenings for those in rural Arizona who may not have immediate access to health care services. 

As the COVID-19 situation evolved, residents in rural and lower-income areas requested scans; however, they were unable to make the drive to Phoenix. Residents throughout Arizona were hesitant to visit their local emergency rooms or hospital setting in fear of contracting COVID-19, leaving them at risk for undetected cardiac and vascular disease. 

Rural Arizonans are at Risk

The Arizona Department of Health Services 2019 Burden Report states that in 2017, seven Arizona counties i.e., Mohave, La Paz, Apache, Gila, Cochise, Graham, and Yavapai, had higher cardiovascular disease death rates (per 100,000 population) than the average Arizona state rate.

The Coconino County 2017 Annual Report states that 30% of residents receive public health insurance, and 1 in 6 residents do not have health insurance at all. This number equates to 100,000 people. The burden of caring for this population rests solely on the State, costing Arizona a large sum of money every year in health claims.

Dorn Policy Group, Inc.’s Impact

Where do we come in? Our lobbying team facilitates the relationships between governmental health agencies and tribal leaders to identify at-risk populations. From there, we identify possible funding mechanisms for the School of Cardiac and Vascular Ultrasound Program to perform screenings to those populations that are at risk. According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, 80% of cardiovascular disease is preventable. However, it is costing the State of Arizona $4 billion every year because it is the most expensive disease to care for. The screenings will help catch cardiovascular disease early, thus saving lives and money. 

We Can Partner with You Too

At Dorn Policy Group, Inc., our specialty is shaping policy for our clients that decision-makers understand and can support. For 20 years, we have partnered with our clients to ensure success in their business by lobbying at the Federal, State, County, Municipal, Tribal, and District level. We want to ensure a brighter future for the people in our community and in our government. Contact us today to learn more about shaping government policy.

Doctor and patient wearing masks

As we mentioned in a previous blog post about why lobbying will be important as a result of COVID-19, hiring a lobbyist is a critical move to prepare for the future of your company in 2020 and beyond. But, even before the virus hit, hiring a lobbyist was and still remains important if you are in the healthcare industry, especially within the skilled nursing or long-term care sector. Due to the effects of COVID-19  on the elderly or those with a weakened immune system, residents of these communities are dying at a much higher rate. Nursing homes are currently fighting for federal protections from Congress to ensure they do not get sued as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

How Lobbying Can Help

There are more than 20 states, at this point, that have taken action to limit exposure to legal liabilities. According to a recent article, over 1,300 coronavirus-related lawsuits have been filed since May 1st, 2020, with a total of 2,600 filed in 2020. In fact, businesses are pushing their lobbyists focus to legislators to ensure the implementation of business liability protections. This shield would have a reach-back period so the companies that have lawsuits already against them, would be cleared. 

Be Proactive Before It’s Too Late

The healthcare industry, and especially nursing homes, has been a quiet but powerful lobby force for years. Because the regulations for skilled nursing facilities are heavily influenced by the government, itis necessary that facility owners have proper representation. However, waiting too long to hire a lobbyist can hurt your business by not ensuring government representation soon enough. 

The Difference At Dorn

At Dorn Policy Group, we have expert experience at the state and federal levels to give your company the representation it needs to influence policy. During these uncertain times, it is important to have a plan of action ready to go rather than scramble at the last minute to protect your business. Contact us today to help give your healthcare facility the government presence it needs and let your voice be heard. 

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