Category: Washington Focus

Washington Focus

Data Privacy

Revised APRA Bill Clears House Subcommittee

Revised APRA Bill Clears House Subcommittee

The proposed American Privacy Rights Act (APRA) has taken its first step U.S. House legislative process with several issue disagreements becoming more evident. On May 23, the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Data, Innovation and Commerce approved the updated APRA, advancing the bill to full committee consideration. Just prior to the […]

Read more

Data Privacy

CFPB Proposes New Federal Oversight of Big Tech Companies over Digital Consumer Payment Applications

CFPB Proposes New Federal Oversight of Big Tech Companies over Digital Consumer Payment Applications

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has proposed a rule to define a market for general-use digital consumer payment applications. Larger participants in this market would be subject to CFPB supervision and examination authority under the Consumer Financial Protection Act (CFPA). The proposed market would cover providers of funds transfer and wallet functions through consumer […]

Read more

Washington Focus

4A’s FAQs on Advertising Agency Considerations for Government Contracting Opportunities

4A’s FAQs on Advertising Agency Considerations for Government Contracting Opportunities

Through government contracts, advertising agencies can help state, local, and federal governments communicate their mission and important messages to the general public to inspire behavioral change, accelerate adoption of vital programs, and contribute to the greater good. To help agencies navigate the perceived complexities of the government contracting process, the 4A’s Government Relations team has […]

Read more

Washington Focus

FDA Funding Hangs in the Balance as Congress Struggles with FY 2023 Budget, User Fee Reauthorization

FDA Funding Hangs in the Balance as Congress Struggles with FY 2023 Budget, User Fee Reauthorization

Aug. 30, 2022 – When members of the House and Senate return to Washington Sept. 6 following the Labor Day holiday, they face competing priorities and tight timeframes to take action on the federal budget and user fees, which expire on Sept. 30. Failure to pass the fiscal year 2023 (FY 2023) budget and reauthorize […]

Read more

Washington Focus

Medicare Advantage Plans May Promise More but Deliver Less

Medicare Advantage Plans May Promise More but Deliver Less

May 2, 2022 – Although Medicare Advantage (MA) plans often are touted for delivering more benefits at a lower cost than traditional Medicare, some critics argue that MA organizations (MAOs) deny beneficiaries coverage that they would receive under Medicare rules – including MRIs and post-acute care – in order to increase profits. As MA plan […]

Read more

Washington Focus

Biden’s 2023 Budget: Big Increases for FDA, CDC, Pandemic Preparedness

Biden’s 2023 Budget: Big Increases for FDA, CDC, Pandemic Preparedness

April 4, 2022 – The fiscal year (FY) 2023 budget proposed by President Joe Biden last week emphasizes fiscal restraint more than new, big spending programs, but it does ask for increased funding for pandemic preparedness, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and projects such as the Cancer Moonshot and the Advanced Research Projects Agency […]

Read more

Regulatory/FDA

Califf Confirmation in Jeopardy?

Califf Confirmation in Jeopardy?

Feb. 7, 2022 – Although the nomination of Dr. Robert Califf to return as FDA Commissioner was advanced by the Senate House, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee just weeks ago and it appeared Califf was poised to be confirmed by the full Senate, new opposition to his nomination reportedly has switched at least some […]

Read more

Washington Focus

Califf Answers Tough Questions, Sets Top Priorities During Senate HELP Hearing

Califf Answers Tough Questions, Sets Top Priorities During Senate HELP Hearing

Dec. 20, 2021 — Dr. Robert Califf, President Joe Biden’s nominee for the FDA Commissioner position, spent roughly two hours answering questions volleyed his way during last week’s Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee’s hearing on his nomination. Califf’s answers, peppered with details, facts and figures, references to senators’ home-state concerns, anecdotes about […]

Read more

Washington Focus

Califf Nominated as FDA Commissioner, Confirmation Fight Ahead, CHC’s Bigelow Says

Califf Nominated as FDA Commissioner, Confirmation Fight Ahead, CHC’s Bigelow Says

Nov. 15, 2021 – Many in the healthcare space are breathing a sigh of relief that President Joe Biden finally announced his nominee to be the new FDA Commissioner on Nov. 12: former FDA Commissioner Robert Califf, M.D. Although Coalition for Healthcare Communication Executive Director Jon Bigelow believes Califf will win Senate confirmation  for a […]

Read more