In this Issue:
Greater Boston Chamber Policy News
Gift Ban Regulations: Chamber continues working to ensure regulations do not hinder research
On December 10th, the Dept. of Public Health (DPH) presented to the Public Health Council (PHC) draft regulations for implementing Chapter 305 Section 111N, the Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Manufacturer Conduct. Of particular importance, these draft regulations do not require disclosure of payments that pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers make to doctors conducting research and certain types of consulting.
This Chamber-supported revision represents an important step in ensuring that these new regulations do not hinder medical research, clinical trials, and product development in Massachusetts. This comes on the heels of the November announcement by the DPH of a revised and improved process for promulgating these regulations. The revised schedule delays implementation in order to include a formal public comment and hearing process before the PHC votes to finalize the regulations as early as February 2009.
The Chamber will testify at the January 9, 2009, hearing in Boston and will continue to work directly with public officials and affected companies and institutions throughout this process in order to ensure that the final regulations reflect the perspectives of this critical industry and complement the collective goal of growing Greater Boston's life sciences and research cluster.
Data Privacy Requirements: Chamber helps secure implementation delay, testifies on other challenges
Last month, the state announced delays in the implementation of an identity theft law regulation that was set to take effect in January 1, 2009. The Chamber had lobbied top state officials for implementation delays in order to allow sufficient time for businesses to update data privacy procedures and become compliant. This announcement was a very positive step.
Challenges remain, related to provisions dealing with encryption, inventory, and third-party verification (which require companies to ensure that all vendors are in full compliance with the regulations – including those located far from Massachusetts). The Chamber will continues to work on those issues with the administration, Attorney General’s office, legislature, and affected companies and will testify at the January 16, 2009, hearing in Boston on the importance of implementing this regulation in a way that does not harm competitiveness during these challenging economic times.
On December 18, the Chamber appeared before the legislature’s Joint Committee on Public Health at an informational hearing on employer wellness programs. Containing rising health care costs – the second stage in the state’s effort to reform health care – remains a significant challenge. Employer wellness programs represent an important tool in the cost containment effort. Many Massachusetts businesses see the benefits every day of adopting such programs, as they clearly produce healthier outcomes for employees and reduce overall health care costs. However, each business in Massachusetts, and their corresponding employee populations, are different. Therefore, the decision to implement or forego a company-wide wellness program should be based on the needs of the employer.
The Chamber expressed this position in its testimony last week, and cautioned committee members not to impose state mandates requiring employers to provide wellness programs. By promoting and incentivizing healthier lifestyles through a comprehensive employer wellness strategy, the Commonwealth will be able to make significant inroads in the effort to contain rising health care costs. The Chamber will continue to monitor this issue throughout 2009.
November Jobs Update: State sheds 8,000 jobs in November
Each month, the Chamber releases a monthly jobs update to administration officials, legislators, key policy-makers, and Chamber members, informing them of the state's latest job numbers, emerging trends in job creation, and the state's current employment numbers in relation to our 2002 peak.
The Chamber's November 2008 Monthly Jobs Update shows that Massachusetts lost 7,000 jobs last month.
Other key findings include:
Massachusetts lost 8,000 jobs last month; posted 0.3% job loss over the last 12 months
Only two of 12 regions added jobs over the last 12 months - Greater Boston and MetroWest
State falls to 108,800 jobs below previous peak
State information sector jobs down slightly (-0.2%) last 12 months; far better than U.S. rate and ranked 12th among states
Compare this month against previous jobs reports here.
For more information on the Chamber’s policy agenda, contact Tim Sweeney, director of public policy.
Inside the Chamber
On December 8, Greg Bialecki, undersecretary of business development for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, addressed the Chamber's Financial Services Committee. He discussed the state’s efforts to help support financial services growth, address obstacles to job creation and investment in the state, and work collaboratively to maintain our leadership in this critical industry.
On December 9, Boston Mayor Tom Menino addressed the Chamber's Government Affairs Forum. The Mayor discussed ways to bolster Boston’s economy and stimulate job growth, and announced his $40 million plan titled ‘Boston Invests’ which looks to invest in stalled city projects to strengthen the economy and generate a return on investments. Read more here.
On December 10, Kairos Shen, chief planner for the Boston Redevelopment Authority, addressed the Chamber's Development Committee. He outlined ongoing development projects throughout the city.
On December 16, Jeffrey Mullan, undersecretary and chief operating officer for the Massachusetts Executive Office of Transportation, addressed the Chamber’s Transportation Committee. He updated members on the state's transportation reorganization plan, as well as plans for infrastructure improvements under the expected federal economic stimulus package.
Upcoming Chamber Policy and Government Affairs Events
Government Affairs Forum Attorney General Martha Coakley Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Tuesday, January 27, 2009 Boston Park Plaza Hotel 7:45 a.m. Registration 8:10 - 9:00 a.m. Program
Click here to register
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