Georgia Bio Signs-on Multi-Association Letter on Buy American Executive Order

Today Georgia Bio joins several other associations to sign-on the U.S. Chamber Letter to Secretary Mnuchin, Secretary Ross, Ambassador Lighthizer, and Director Kudlow.

The letter respectfully ask that the Trump administration defer moves to expand the reach of “Buy American” mandates to the medical equipment and biopharmaceutical sector during the present national emergency.


Please see below to read the full letter:

The undersigned organizations applaud the Trump administration’s focused response to the coronavirus pandemic. In particular, we appreciate the administration’s encouragement of public-private partnerships to quickly develop a vaccine for COVID-19 and expand the supply of medical countermeasures. We also commend the administration’s efforts to work with tech companies to map the spread of the coronavirus as well as FDA efforts to loosen regulations and increase testing capacities. American companies will do whatever it takes to support our country’s pandemic response and will continue to work hand in glove with government to get the job done.

While we are encouraged by this partnership and the administration’s ongoing labors with our international allies to respond to the pandemic with all available resources, we are concerned by reports of a draft “Buy American” executive order that could be counterproductive to these efforts. Such an order may delay the discovery of a COVID-19 vaccine and other treatments, worsen shortages of critically-needed medicines and medical products, and undermine prospects for economic recovery.

Now more than ever, U.S. industries require access to international supply chains to produce critically-needed medical products. The United States simply does not produce all of the raw materials or intermediate goods that are essential to drug development or production of the medical equipment needed to thwart this epidemic. Preventing federal agencies from sourcing medical equipment and pharmaceutical ingredients from abroad — or that are made with non-U.S. inputs — will only exacerbate the supply shortages racking the United States.

Further, as the world’s most innovative economy, the United States cannot shut itself off from the rest of the world. Turning our backs on trading partners during a crisis could damage our relationships long after this pandemic ends. If we implement localization requirements, many of our trade partners would assuredly follow our lead and limit imports from the United States.

For these reasons, we respectfully ask that the Trump administration defer moves to expand the reach of “Buy American” mandates to the medical equipment and biopharmaceutical sector during the present national emergency. This pandemic has raised awareness of vulnerabilities in supply chains, and American industries look forward to working with the administration to solve those challenges with well-thought-out solutions, but those efforts should be deferred until the national emergency is passed.

Today, our shared priority must be to defeat COVID-19. The U.S. business community is committed to doing whatever it takes — working in close partnership with you — to achieve this goal.

Georgia Life Sciences Joins National Coalition Urging Congressional Action on Key Innovation Policies

December 10, 2025
Georgia Life Sciences has joined 43 state and regional life sciences organizations in signing a national Council of State Bioscience Associations (CSBA) letter calling on Congress to take immediate action on three bipartisan policy priorities that are essential to sustaining U.S. leadership in biomedical innovation and supporting patients nationwide. With Congress back in session and several critical programs at risk of expiring, the letter urges congressional leaders to advance the following provisions without delay: 1. Reauthorize the Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher (PPRV) Program The PPRV program has been instrumental in incentivizing the development of therapies for children with rare and life-threatening conditions. Its lapse threatens to slow or halt research that families across the country are counting on. 2. Extend the SBIR/STTR Programs The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs provide crucial early-stage capital for emerging biotech and medtech companies—many of them in Georgia. Without reauthorization, hundreds of innovative small businesses face uncertainty, jeopardizing new therapies, diagnostics, and technologies in the pipeline, 3. Advance PBM Transparency Reforms Greater transparency and accountability within pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) practices are needed to ensure that savings reach patients and employers. Reforming PBM operations is essential to strengthening access and affordability across the healthcare system. A Unified Message from the Life Sciences Community The sign-on letter reflects broad, bipartisan alignment across the national life sciences ecosystem: researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, patient advocates, and state associations all share a common message— these programs underpin America’s global competitiveness and are vital to patients who rely on continued scientific progress. Georgia Life Sciences has shared the letter with members of Georgia’s congressional delegation and will continue engaging with policymakers to emphasize the importance of swift action.

GLS Joins Georgia Partners in Calling for Federal PBM Reform

December 7, 2025
Georgia Life Sciences is proud to stand with patient advocates, providers, and employers across the state in urging Congress to take meaningful action on pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reform. We recently signed on to a joint letter to Georgia’s Congressional Delegation stressing the urgent need for transparency, fair practices, and policies that ensure savings flow directly to patients.

GLS’ President and CEO, Maria Thacker Goethe in December's issue of Georgia Trend

December 4, 2025
Georgia Life Sciences’ CEO, Maria Thacker Goethe shares her perspective on the value of Georgia’s research universities in this month’s issue of Georgia Trend. “Georgia research institutions have felt a very significant impact from the federal rollbacks, specifically in NIH and NSF funding. Thacker Goethe’s message about the impact of research cuts is simple: Disruption shatters the foundational trust researchers have in grant continuity….” To read the full article, click here .
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