Limb loss advocates highlight progress

Today we highlight April’s Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month and the economic impact of sustainable aviation fuel. (538 words, 2 minutes, 41 seconds)

Limb loss advocates celebrate legislative progress

During April’s Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month, advocates mark significant legislative victories and celebrate a community that includes BIO. 

What’s happening: “On the state front, one of the most successful campaigns that the Amputee Coalition has ever been involved in has been its insurance fairness work,” Ashlie White, Chief Strategy and Programs Officer at the Amputee Coalition, told Bio.News.

Why it matters: Most private insurers offer limited prosthetic care coverage. Under fair insurance legislation, passed in more than 20 states, private insurers must match Medicare’s levels for prosthetic devices and care: 80% coverage with no lifetime cap.

So Every BODY Can Move is an initiative to pass legislation to cover medically necessary prosthetic and orthotic care in 28 states by 2028. Maine, Arkansas, New Mexico, Colorado, and Illinois have passed legislation, and Maryland’s bill awaits Gov. Wes Moore’s signature.

On the federal level, the Amputee Coalition advocates for national fair insurance legislation and resources to address antimicrobial resistance (AMR), as well as investigations into access to care.

What’s next: The Amputee Coalition’s National Conference in Atlanta in August is “celebrating connection” and community, which includes BIO.

What they’re saying: “I’m grateful for the partnership with BIO,” for bringing patient advocates together and “doing a great job of elevating patient advocacy voices,” said White.

SAFs can generate $78B in GDP and increase employment, says report

We know sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) can reduce carbon emissions, and a recent report shows how the SAF industry can also help the economy.

Why it matters: Made from renewable feedstocks, SAFs can be dropped into existing commercial airline engines and reduce carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional fossil fuels.

Impact on investment: U.S. SAF expenditures, particularly in the Great Plains states, could total nearly $1.5 trillion between 2025 and 2050, generating up to $78 billion in net GDP, according to a recent report by Third Way.

Impact on jobs: The SAF industry could support 153,000 direct jobs and another 240,000 indirect jobs, impacting all states. “Increased reliance on SAF would have a positive impact on U.S. employment, even after accounting for employment losses related to conventional aviation fuel production,” the report says.

What biotech is doing: BIO member LanzaJet recently opened the first ethanol-to-SAF plant in January, while Virgin Atlantic flew the first commercial transatlantic flight with 100% SAFs from BIO member Virent in November.

What the government is doing: The Biden administration launched the Grand Challenge to incentivize 100% SAF use in the commercial airline industry by 2050, but more can be done. A poll shows 66% of Americans want federal policymakers to incentivize biotech solutions for climate. Also, the Administration is expected to release a long-awaited greenhouse gas emissions model tomorrow that cold qualify SAF made from corn-based ethanol for tax credits in the Inflation Reduction Act.

BIO’s view: “When you look at the many ways in which biotech companies are rising to the challenge of reducing and mitigating climate impacts,” says Beth Ellikidis, BIO VP for Agriculture and Environment, “there is no question that biotech is ‘climate tech.’”

President Biden’s Monday: No official events scheduled.

What’s Happening on Capitol Hill: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael S. Regan will testify on the 2025 Fiscal budget proposal before the Appropriations committees in the House tomorrow and the Senate Wednesday. Also on Wednesday, USDA Under Secretary Robert Bonnie will testify before the House Appropriations Committee about USDA’s fiscal 2025 request for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Production and Conservation mission.