United States Senate Committee on Finance

NACDS Lauds Strong, Bipartisan Senate Finance Committee Vote - 26-0 - to Advance PBM Reforms in Medicare and Medicaid

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, November 8, 2023

ARLINGTON, Va., Nov. 8, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) President and CEO Steven C. Anderson released the following statement today after a U.S. Senate Finance Committee markup on a legislative package containing significant PBM reforms in Medicare and Medicaid:

Key Points: 
  • "NACDS applauds the Senate Finance Committee for advancing this legislation on a strong bipartisan vote of 26-0, with one 'present.'
  • Further, we commend Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-ID) for their leadership in confronting PBM middlemen's 'pharmaceutical benefit manipulation' — in its many forms.
  • "Make no mistake: Real PBM reform at the federal level must protect Americans on Medicare and Medicaid and their pharmacies.
  • NACDS released a statement on Tuesday, November 7, in advance of the Committee markup.

NACDS: Senate Finance Committee Work is Essential to "Real" PBM Reform at the Federal Level

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, November 7, 2023

ARLINGTON, Va., Nov. 7, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- With the U.S. Senate Finance Committee's release of additional PBM reform legislation and the Committee's markup scheduled for Wednesday, November 8, NACDS President & CEO Steven C. Anderson released the following statement:

Key Points: 
  • ARLINGTON, Va., Nov. 7, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- With the U.S. Senate Finance Committee's release of additional PBM reform legislation and the Committee's markup scheduled for Wednesday, November 8, NACDS President & CEO Steven C. Anderson released the following statement:
    "NACDS' message is clear: real PBM reform at the federal level must protect Americans on Medicare and Medicaid and their pharmacies.
  • We commend the Senate Finance Committee's bipartisan work to deliver on this unique moment of opportunity to reduce patient's prescription drug costs, to defend patients' access to medications and to pharmacies, and to confront abusive PBM tactics that jeopardize all Americans and all pharmacies.
  • We look forward to continuing to work with the Committee and with the Congress to ensure the effectiveness of this legislation in achieving their well-focused intent.
  • "The legislation to be considered this Wednesday complements aspects of the Modernizing and Ensuring PBM Accountability Act passed previously by the Committee.

MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell and State Representative Justin J. Pearson of the “Tennessee Three” to keynote the Community Heroes Celebration on November 3

Retrieved on: 
Monday, October 16, 2023

According to Scott-Chandler, advocating for and empowering underserved and under-represented communities is part of the organization’s DNA.

Key Points: 
  • According to Scott-Chandler, advocating for and empowering underserved and under-represented communities is part of the organization’s DNA.
  • “Since our inception during the tumultuous 1960’s, ABCD has blazed a trail in every aspect of anti-poverty and social justice work in Greater Boston,” she said.
  • Both Mr. Pearson and Mr. Jones were reinstated and went on to win the general election last summer.
  • Learn more about the 2023 Community Heroes Celebration here .

Jason Park Appointed to Newly Created Position of Managing Director for CLIA in North America and Senior Vice President of Global Government Affairs

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, September 12, 2023

WASHINGTON, Sept. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the leading voice for the global cruise industry, welcomes Jason Park to the new role of Managing Director for CLIA in North America, and Senior Vice President for Global Government Affairs.

Key Points: 
  • WASHINGTON, Sept. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the leading voice for the global cruise industry, welcomes Jason Park to the new role of Managing Director for CLIA in North America, and Senior Vice President for Global Government Affairs.
  • In this position, Park will oversee government relations, public affairs, policy development, membership and commercial efforts in the United States and Canada, reflecting similar CLIA structures in Europe, Australasia, and South America.
  • "North America is the largest passenger source market for cruising and encompasses the homeports for many of cruising's most popular itineraries.
  • I look forward to making an impact in furthering the common interests of CLIA members in North America and in collaboration with CLIA's global team."

The US broke global trade rules to try to fix climate change – to finish the job, it has to fix the trade system

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, September 5, 2023

But the law and Biden’s broader “buy American” agenda include measures that discriminate against imports.

Key Points: 
  • But the law and Biden’s broader “buy American” agenda include measures that discriminate against imports.
  • But we believe the law also clearly violates international trade rules.
  • Today’s trade rules are ill-suited for the climate crisis.

Building, then violating WTO rules

    • The United States has shaped international trade rules more than any other country.
    • In the 1940s, the U.S. proposed rules that were eventually largely adopted as the General Agreement on Trade and Tariffs, or GATT, a series of multinational agreements to reduce trade barriers.
    • The most ambitious of the GATT agreements was the U.S.-instigated Uruguay Round of the 1990s, which created the World Trade Organization.
    • Some WTO rules are vague, but others are crystal clear, including an unambiguous prohibition of subsidies contingent on the use of domestic products instead of imports.
    • U.S. leaders might have been justified in begging for forgiveness after passing the legislation rather than asking for permission to violate trade rules.

The real concern: Rising protectionism

    • Its promise to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions relies on the rapid diffusion of technologies, knowledge and finance across borders.
    • Yet, its domestic subsidies may accelerate the adoption of trade barriers that inhibit these same cross-border flows, thus slowing progress on climate change.
    • Indeed, the real concern might not be the opening salvo, but the shootout of growing protectionism that ensues.

An opportunity to modernize international trade

    • More proactively, the U.S. can reestablish its commitment to trade rules by instigating a process to develop equitable reforms.
    • High-level leadership from the United States would add considerable heft to the ongoing efforts to reform global trade rules.
    • Of course, these trade tools would have to be managed carefully to avoid proliferating and exacerbating tensions.
    • It may turn out that the United States did the world a favor by throwing off the shackles of outdated trade rules.
    • That will depend on whether U.S. leaders take advantage of the opportunity to reframe the discussion around the country’s recent legislation as steps toward a modernized international trade regime that better aligns with the world’s climate goals.

Buxton Helmsley Issues Letter to Mallinckrodt Plc. Directors Regarding Bankruptcy Negotiations and Financial Disclosure Violations

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, August 16, 2023

The Buxton Helmsley Group, Inc. (together with certain of its affiliates, “BHG” or “we”), the New York City-based investment advisor to clients with financial interests in Mallinckrodt Plc.

Key Points: 
  • The Buxton Helmsley Group, Inc. (together with certain of its affiliates, “BHG” or “we”), the New York City-based investment advisor to clients with financial interests in Mallinckrodt Plc.
  • (“Mallinckrodt” or the “Company”) (NYSE: MNK), today issued an open letter (the “Letter”) to the Company’s Board of Directors, regarding the Company’s continued failure to make required write-downs of asset values where expenses are evidenced, in apparent violation of GAAP ASC 350/360 and Regulation S-X, within its August 9, 2023, Form 10-Q filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”).
  • Since BHG’s March 17, 2023, public report, the Company has neither denied nor rebutted the “strong[ly] evidence[d]” (the Company’s own prior-professed evidentiary standard) apparent multibillion-dollar accounting and securities fraud scheme laid out therein.
  • The Letter issued by BHG to the Company today, in addition to BHG’s March 17 and April 28, 2023, public correspondence, may be found at: https://www.buxtonhelmsley.com/mnk/

Ocugen, Inc. Announces Business Advisory Board

Retrieved on: 
Monday, June 5, 2023

“I am delighted to welcome this notable group of advisors to Ocugen,” said Dr. Shankar Musunuri, Chairman, CEO and Co-founder of Ocugen.

Key Points: 
  • “I am delighted to welcome this notable group of advisors to Ocugen,” said Dr. Shankar Musunuri, Chairman, CEO and Co-founder of Ocugen.
  • The Business Advisory Board will provide new insight to our business strategy, while expanding our reach to execute the strategy.”
    Ocugen’s Business Advisory Board members have been selected based on their extensive professional backgrounds and proven track record of creating partnerships among the public and private sector.
  • Dennis Carey, PhD, Vice Chairman of Korn Ferry, where he recruits Board Directors, CEOs, and their direct reports.
  • “I will always be committed to driving economic growth in the state and this role is an extension of my many years in public office.”
    “I’ve watched Ocugen evolve over the last few years as a business consultant and am now honored to join the Business Advisory Board,” said Dr. Carey.

Buxton Helmsley Issues Letter to Mallinckrodt Plc. Regarding Continued Evidentially False Statements of Financials

Retrieved on: 
Friday, May 12, 2023

The Buxton Helmsley Group, Inc. (together with certain of its affiliates, “BHG” or “we”), the New York City-based investment advisor to clients with financial interests in Mallinckrodt Plc.

Key Points: 
  • The Buxton Helmsley Group, Inc. (together with certain of its affiliates, “BHG” or “we”), the New York City-based investment advisor to clients with financial interests in Mallinckrodt Plc.
  • (“Mallinckrodt” or the “Company”) (NYSE: MNK), today issued an open letter (the “Letter”) to the Company’s Board of Directors, given the Company’s continued failure to make required write-downs of asset values where expenses are evidenced, in apparent violation of GAAP ASC 350/360 and Regulation S-X, within its May 9, 2023, Form 10-Q filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”).
  • Since BHG’s March 17, 2023, public report, the Company has neither denied nor rebutted the “strong[ly] evidence[d]” (the Company’s own prior-professed evidentiary standard) apparent multibillion-dollar accounting and securities fraud scheme laid out therein.
  • The Letter issued by BHG to the Company today, in addition to BHG’s March 17 and April 28, 2023, public correspondence, may be found at: https://www.buxtonhelmsley.com/mnk/

NAPEO SOUNDS ALARM AS IRS ERTC BACKLOG NOW TOPS ONE MILLION

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, May 2, 2023

ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The ballooning backlog of Employee Retention Credit (ERTC) applications reached a grim milestone last week, despite recent commitments from IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel to double efforts to get small and mid-sized businesses this vital money.

Key Points: 
  • According to the IRS, the backlog of outstanding Forms 941-X —the application used by small businesses to claim the ERTC— now tops one million, a 641% increase since August.
  • "This staggering figure indicates the true severity of this crisis," said National Association of Professional Employer Organizations (NAPEO) President and CEO Pat Cleary.
  • A sampling of only 15% of NAPEO members found that 13,631 small business PEO clients are waiting for the IRS to approve roughly $3 billion worth of ERTC credits.
  • NAPEO, PEOs, and small business PEO clients remain in active communication with lawmakers and regulators to clear this backlog.

Blank Rome Adds Healthcare Corporate Transactions Partner in Chicago

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, May 2, 2023

Chicago, IL, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Blank Rome LLP is pleased to announce that Eric Tower has joined the firm as a partner in the Corporate, M&A, and Securities practice group in Chicago.

Key Points: 
  • Chicago, IL, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Blank Rome LLP is pleased to announce that Eric Tower has joined the firm as a partner in the Corporate, M&A, and Securities practice group in Chicago.
  • A healthcare industry pro, Eric handles a wide range of corporate and M&A transactions for health systems, physician practices, and value-based care companies.
  • Before joining Blank Rome, Eric was a partner at Thompson Coburn LLP.
  • “I am thrilled to welcome Eric to Blank Rome and our growing Chicago office,” said Grant Palmer , Blank Rome’s Chair and Managing Partner.