Category: Health

MIL-OSI New Zealand: Health – Screening, medicine, and MRI access will avoid hundreds of deaths from prostate cancer, MPs told

Source: Prostate Cancer Foundation

A prostate cancer screening programme starting with simple blood tests will halve the number of deaths from prostate cancer, MPs heard last night.

At a Parliamentary event to mark prostate cancer awareness month, about 20 Ministers and MPs were encouraged to support pilots that would guide an eventual national screening programme for at-risk men.

Prostate Cancer Foundation Chief Executive Peter Dickens said a diagnostic pathway which starts with a PSA blood test carries the promise of a 50 percent reduction in prostate-cancer specific mortality in New Zealand men.

“Pilots are important for learning the lessons on how to optimally engage with and screen New Zealand men in the same way that women are successfully screened for cervical and breast cancer.”

The Prostate Cancer Foundation is asking the Government to fund two PSA screening pilots which would test men based on age and familial and genetic risk. The cost is relatively low at an estimated $6.4 million, and learnings would inform an eventual national population-based screening programme.

“Pilots will help us develop a comprehensive, optimum clinical care pathway for prostate cancer, which if done properly will take care of any issues with diagnosis and overtreatment.”

“But we really need to move now on piloting so we learn the lessons we need to learn. The number of prostate cancer cases is likely to double by 2040. The clock is ticking. We need to pay attention to that now and start piloting prostate cancer screening.”

Dickens said that medicines and access to MRI screening were also important for reducing prostate cancer deaths.

“MRI is an absolute game changer. It’s a vital part of diagnostic pathway. The vast majority of men who are diagnosed in the public health service don’t have access. We need greater availability of MRI, and not just for prostate cancer.”

And while there has been a lot of focus this year on funding for medicines, there’s been little good news for men with prostate cancer.

“There hasn’t been a new drug funded for prostate cancer in last 10 years. People are paying up to $8000 a month to maintain their quality and length of life. We would encourage MPs to keep a focus on access to medicines for a wide range of treatments,” Dickens said.

Blue September is prostate cancer awareness month. The Prostate Cancer Foundation offers a portfolio of services to help 42,000 men with a prostate cancer diagnosis and their families to fight their cancer battle.

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

January 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murray Issues Statement on FAFSA Update: Urges Careful Implementation and Accessibility for All Students
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement on the Department of Education’s update on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

“I wrote the FAFSA Simplification Act to make it easier for students to get the financial aid they deserve—it should be uncomplicated for students and parents to navigate this form and figure out what kind of federal aid they’re eligible for. And I want to be clear: I wrote this law to make the FAFSA accessible for everyone, including students who are unhoused, low-income, or first-generation—it’s important to me that I continue to see serious progress on this front. I will be closely following the Department’s implementation of these newly announced improvements to make sure a truly simplified FAFSA is the end result.”

In May and February, Murray led Congressional oversight efforts of the newly simplified FAFSA form’s implementation and she has continued to stay in close contact with the Department of Education since then. The Senate Fiscal Year 2025 spending bill, authored and negotiated by Murray, which funds the Department of Education includes an additional $100 million for the administration of student aid programs—the funding will support a wide range of activities including implementation of the FAFSA. The bill also directs the Department of Education to undertake various activities related to the FAFSA, including conducting outreach to students who have uncompleted FAFSA applications, providing weekly updates to Congress on FAFSA implementation, and correcting errors that have made it difficult for unaccompanied homeless youth to access the FAFSA application. Murray’s funding bill passed out of the Senate Appropriations Committee 25-3.

As the top Democrat on the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), in 2020, Senator Murray successfully negotiated—and got signed into law—bipartisan legislation to reform the financial aid application process, simplify the FAFSA form for students and parents, and significantly expand eligibility for federal aid. Now, the changes are taking effect—making the financial aid application process easier to navigate for families and getting more federal support to more students.

The bipartisan FAFSA Simplification Act that Senator Murray negotiated was signed into law in December 2020. In particular, Senator Murray secured policies that, among other things:
- Restore Pell Grant eligibility for incarcerated individuals, students who have been defrauded, and students with drug-related offenses;
- Significantly expand who is eligible to receive Pell Grants and the maximum award; simplify the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA);
- Make the financial aid process easier to navigate for students experiencing homelessness and students formerly in foster care.
More about the changes Senator Murray secured HERE.
MIL OSI USA News –
January 22, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Listening to feedback: changes to York’s sexual health service
Source: City of York

A number of changes have now been agreed to the way sexual health services are provided in York, which follows a consultation on proposed changes and listening to respondents’ feedback.
The consultation ran between July and September and saw over 100 people respond.

The sexual health service in York is delivered through YorSexualHealth, provided by the York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

The council has worked closely with the York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to review the service and its partnership, as part of the re-procurement of the service for the next 10 years.

The consultation highlighted the need for a number of changes, following a 30 per cent reduction in the public health grant since 2015, which funds the service.

The provision of free, comprehensive, open access sexual health and contraceptive services is a mandated Public Health function of local authorities, as part of the Health and Social Care Act 2012.

A report was taken to an Executive meeting in June to outline what these changes could mean, before going out to consultation.

The contract with the York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust was renewed in July, and following Executive approval was extended for an additional 12-month period.

In order to deliver the new contract, the York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the council identified that some efficiencies would need to be made to the service. These will now be introduced soon, through a staged approach during the 12-month extension period, to ensure robust monitoring and evaluation.

The changes include these staged service reductions over a 12-month period:

A reduction in the number of clinic hours the service is open for: The council and York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust listened to feedback on the Saturday closure proposals, which was unpopular with respondents. We have revised our thinking on this and are looking at closing the service at a different time to lessen the impact. Instead, the clinic will now close on a Wednesday morning.

A further cap on activity relating to Preventx for York residents. (online STI testing): The service will now offer an ‘enhanced triage’ or clinician recommended approach, to ensure that service users get the right test for them, which is better for both the service user and the cost efficiency of the service. This also brings the online testing provision in line with the testing that is offered when attending the service in person.

A cap on activity relating to LARC (Long-Acting Reversible Contraception) including contraceptive coils and contraceptive implants: York has a high number of LARC fitted per head of population, well above the national average. This means we are building from a strong position in access to contraception in the city, and need to ensure that this remains a specialist service available to those who need it. However, last year over 3,000 people attended for basic contraception needs, which GPs and Pharmacists can support with. Pharmacists can also issue repeat contraception and initial contraception. So our contraception activity will be focussed and prioritised according to need.

Peter Roderick, Director of Public Health, said: “We’d like to thank everyone for their feedback during the consultation. We’ve listened to everyone’s comments and have made some changes to the proposals as a result. These service changes are not being made lightly – we know there will be impacts, and its our role to mitigate these as much as we can.

“Sexual health services are vital, and we are proud of the quality of what has been available to people in York in recent years, and of the staff who deliver these vital services.

“Sexual and reproductive health is not just about preventing disease or infection. It also means promoting good sexual health in a wider context, including relationships, sexuality and choices around conception. It is a vital aspect of overall health and wellbeing and of public health.

“We are determined that we will meet York’s future needs to the same level, but there are always opportunities to make changes and do things more efficiently.

“That is reflected in our performance figures, which reflect very well on those involved in delivering the services.”

Jo Mannion, Consultant and Care Group Director for Family Health at York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We have successfully provided a range of high-quality, easily accessible sexual health services over the last few years, and we welcome the opportunity to build on this success in strong partnership with York.”

The council and the York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are continuing its analysis and work towards potential commencement of a new contract (under a section 75 partnership agreement) in 2025/6,

Sexual health services are a key part of public health and are funded via the ring-fenced Public Health Allocation.

The current contract with York and Scarborough NHS Trust and Nimbuscare Limited was extended earlier this year, following discussions with the providers through the Sexual Health Joint Management Board, chaired by the Director of Public Health.

A benefit of a new service contract with the current Integrated Sexual Health Services contract with York and Scarborough NHS Trust, is that they have a proven track record and have been a provider of sexual health services in York for over 10 years.

Following this consultation, a new legal agreement between two organisations will be agreed.

View the findings of the consultation here
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
January 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/1828 renewing the authorisation for the placing on the market of feed containing, consisting of and of food and feed products produced from genetically modified maize MON 810 pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2017/1207 – B10-0146/2024

Source: European Parliament

Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety
Members responsible: Martin Häusling, Biljana Borzan, Anja Hazekamp

B10‑0146/2024

European Parliament resolution on Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/1828 renewing the authorisation for the placing on the market of feed containing, consisting of and of food and feed products produced from genetically modified maize MON 810 pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2017/1207 (2024/2840(RSP))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/1828 renewing the authorisation for the placing on the market of feed containing, consisting of and of food and feed products produced from genetically modified maize MON 810 pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2017/1207 [1],

– having regard to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 September 2003 on genetically modified food and feed [2], and in particular Article 11(3) and Article 23(3) thereof,

– having regard to the vote of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed referred to in Article 35 of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, on 26 April 2024, at which no opinion was delivered, and the vote of the Appeal Committee on 29 May 2024, at which again no opinion was delivered,

– having regard to Article 11 of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 2011 laying down the rules and general principles concerning mechanisms for control by Member States of the Commission’s exercise of implementing powers [3],

– having regard to the opinion adopted by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) on 30 November 2023, and published on 19 January 2024 [4],

– having regard to its previous resolutions objecting to the authorisation of genetically modified organisms (‘GMOs’)[5],

– having regard to Rule 115(2) and (3) of its Rules of Procedure,

– having regard to the motion for a resolution of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety,

A. whereas, on 6 October 2022, Bayer Agriculture BV, based in Belgium, submitted on behalf of Bayer CropScience LP, based in the United States, an application to the Commission for the renewal of Commission Implementing Decisions 2013/649/EU [6] and (EU) 2017/1207 [7]; whereas, in accordance with Article 11(4) of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, the period of authorisation of genetically modified pollen produced from genetically modified maize MON 810 (the ‘GM maize’) for food uses covered by Implementing Decision 2013/649/EU has been automatically extended until a decision is taken on the renewal application;

B. whereas, on 30 November 2023, EFSA adopted a favourable opinion, which was published on 19 January 2024;

C. whereas the GM maize has been modified to produce insecticides (‘Bt toxins’);

Outstanding questions concerning Bt toxins

D. whereas a number of studies show that side effects have been observed that may affect the human immune system following exposure to Bt toxins and that some Bt toxins may have adjuvant properties [8], meaning that they can increase the allergenicity of other proteins with which they come into contact;

Bt crops: effects on non-target organisms

E. whereas, unlike the use of insecticides, where exposure is at the time of spraying and for a limited time afterwards, the use of Bt GM crops leads to continuous exposure of the target and non-target organisms to Bt toxins;

F. whereas the assumption that Bt toxins exhibit a single target-specific mode-of-action can no longer be considered correct and effects on non-target organisms cannot be excluded; whereas an increasing number of non-target organisms are reported to be affected in many ways; whereas 39 peer-reviewed publications that report significant adverse effects of Bt toxins on many ‘out-of-range’ species are mentioned in a recent overview [9];

Member State comments

G. whereas Member States submitted many critical comments to EFSA during the three-month consultation period [10], including that the compositional data for the GM maize should be checked and re-analysed and that the analysis should fulfil the present EFSA requirements, inter alia equivalence testing, and that the literature review did not include studies on the fate of Cry1Ab in the environment or on potential effects of Bt-crop residues on non-target organisms, which is problematic because publications indicate that a carryover from GM maize feed to manure may lead to exposure of soil organisms to Cry1Ab and that this may trigger negative effects on soil organisms with consequences for biodiversity and ecosystem services;

H. whereas Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 states that GM food or feed must not have adverse effects on human health, animal health or the environment, and requires the Commission to take into account any relevant provisions of Union law and other legitimate factors relevant to the matter under consideration when drafting its decision; whereas such legitimate factors should include the Union’s obligations under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) and the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (UN CBD);

Reducing dependency on imported feed

I. whereas one of the lessons from the COVID-19 crisis and the ongoing war in Ukraine is the need for the Union to end the dependencies on some critical materials; whereas in the mission letter to Commissioner-elect Christophe Hansen, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen asks him to look at ways to reduce imports of critical commodities [11];

Undemocratic decision-making

J. whereas the vote on 26 April 2024 of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed referred to in Article 35 of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 delivered no opinion, meaning that the authorisation was not supported by a qualified majority of Member States; whereas the vote on 29 May 2024 of the Appeal Committee again delivered no opinion;

K. whereas, in its eighth term, Parliament adopted a total of 36 resolutions objecting to the placing on the market of GMOs for food and feed (33 resolutions) and to the cultivation of GMOs in the Union (three resolutions); whereas, in its ninth term, Parliament adopted 38 objections to placing GMOs on the market;

L. whereas despite its own acknowledgement of the democratic shortcomings, the lack of support from Member States and the objections of Parliament, the Commission continues to authorise GMOs;

M. whereas no change of law is required for the Commission to be able not to authorise GMOs when there is no qualified majority of Member States in favour in the Appeal Committee [12];

N. whereas, on 2 July 2024, the Commission renewed the authorisation for the placing on the market of the GM maize;

1. Considers that Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/1828 exceeds the implementing powers provided for in Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003;

2. Considers that Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/1828 is not consistent with Union law, in that it is not compatible with the aim of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, which is, in accordance with the general principles laid down in Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council [13], to provide the basis for ensuring a high level of protection of human life and health, animal health and welfare, and environmental and consumer interests, in relation to GM food and feed, while ensuring the effective functioning of the internal market;

3. Calls on the Commission to repeal Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/1828;

4. Welcomes the fact that the Commission finally recognised, in a letter of 11 September 2020 to Members, the need to take sustainability into account when it comes to authorisation decisions on GMOs [14]; expresses its deep disappointment, however, that, since then the Commission has continued to authorise GMOs for import into the Union, despite ongoing objections by Parliament and a majority of Member States voting against;

5. Urges the Commission, again, to take into account the Union’s obligations under international agreements, such as the Paris Climate Agreement, the UN CBD and the UN SDGs; reiterates its call for draft implementing acts to be accompanied by an explanatory memorandum explaining how they uphold the principle of ‘do no harm’[15];

6. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and the Commission, and to the governments and parliaments of the Member States.

MIL OSI Europe News –

January 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Pressley Statement on Steward Hearing and Ralph De La Torre
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) issued the following statement on Steward Healthcare CEO Ralph De La Torre’s refusal to comply with a subpoena to appear before Congress today. Congresswoman Pressley represents many patients and workers served by Carney Hospital in Dorchester as well as St Elizabeth’s Hospital in Brighton.

“We cannot allow companies like Steward Health Care and their CEO Ralph De La Torre to get away with ravaging our healthcare system and leaving our hospitals, patients, and workers behind. But De La Torre’s refusal to come before the Senate today is the latest in a series of cowardly attempts to avoid responsibility, and he must be held in contempt of Congress.

“I’m grateful to the Senate HELP Committee, Chairman Sanders, and Senator Markey for holding this critical hearing, and for the Massachusetts nurses who came forward to expose the shameful impact of Steward’s greed. We won’t stop fighting to hold Steward and De La Torre fully accountable for the public health crisis they created.”

In Congress, Rep. Pressley has repeatedly demanded accountability and transparency from Steward executives, and she has been worked with her colleagues at the federal and local levels to ensure care remains accessible and Steward’s other facilities remain open.
- In July 2024, Rep. Pressley and Rep. Lynch rallied with colleagues, patients, and providers to speak out against Steward’s abrupt closure of Carney Hospital in Dorchester.
- In July 2024, Rep. Pressley issued a statement on the announcement by Steward Health Care of the closure of hospitals in Massachusetts, including Carney Hospital in Dorchester.
- In May 2024, Rep. Pressley issued a statement condemning Steward’s filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and failure to protect patients and workers.
- In February 2024, Rep. Pressley joined members of the Massachusetts congressional delegation in seeking answers from Cerebrus on the private equity firm’s role in creating the current financial challenges at Steward hospitals, which threaten access to medical care for thousands of people in eastern Massachusetts.
- In January 2024, following a Boston Globe report indicating that Steward Health Care System is in dire financial condition, Rep. Pressley, Sen. Warren, and the Massachusetts congressional delegation pressed Steward to brief them on Steward’s financial position, the status of their Massachusetts facilities, and their plans to ensure the communities they serve are not abandoned.
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MIL OSI USA News –
September 30, 2024
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Recruitment for an Administrative Officer
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

Administrative Officer vacancy, working within the VMD.
We have a vacancy for an Administrative Officer within the VMD.

Job Title

Administrative Officer

Grade

AO

Salary & Pension

£27,245 per annum with Pension Scheme

Annual Leave entitlement

Commencing at 25 days

Role

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) is the regulator and policy lead responsible for issues concerning the authorisation, use, and manufacture of veterinary medicines in the UK. Our aim is to protect public health, animal health, and the environment, and promote animal welfare by assuring the safety, quality and effectiveness of veterinary medicines.

We are looking to fill at least two AO roles to support these aims. However, we will maintain a reserve list of successful candidates, which we may call upon if other AO roles become available in the VMD.

How to apply

You must make your application via Administrative Officer – Civil Service Jobs – GOV.UK where you will find a full job description.

Closing Date

21 October 2024

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Updates to this page

Published 25 September 2024
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI USA: Murphy Administration Releases New Reports Highlighting the Urgent Need to Continue Improving Health Care Affordability
Source: US State of New Jersey

Findings show that while New Jersey benefits from high-quality care, health care costs have risen rapidly over nearly a decade

TRENTON – The Murphy Administration today released a trio of reports assessing the quality and affordability of health care in New Jersey. These reports serve as a critical first step to understanding and addressing the health care affordability challenge impacting individuals and families both in the state and across the nation. Together, the reports show that a lack of affordable health care continues to burden New Jerseyans, and they will be instrumental in supporting the development of innovative and collaborative approaches to address high costs.

The reports come on the heels of recently enacted legislation that protects consumers from harmful medical debt and builds upon a significant foundation of health care affordability and accessibility initiatives championed by Governor Murphy. This includes record enrollment into quality, affordable health coverage through Get Covered New Jersey, enhanced Medicaid benefits, a landmark legislative package aimed at prescription drug affordability and transparency, and increased prescription drug assistance for low-income seniors, which have brought financial relief to New Jersey residents as well as provided a strong foundation for long-term solutions that expand access to affordable health care.

“We’ve taken critical steps toward addressing the rising cost of health care in New Jersey, but these reports underscore the urgency to continue our progress in making high-quality health care more affordable for all,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “It’s time to ramp up our work to transform our health care system so that it delivers the best care possible at a price that every New Jerseyan can afford.”

Commissioned by the New Jersey Health Care Affordability, Responsibility and Transparency (HART) Program, a joint initiative of the Governor’s Office of Health Care Affordability and Transparency (OHCAT) and the Department of Banking and Insurance (DOBI), the reports represent an important milestone in advancing the State’s long-term strategy to mitigate the unsustainable rate of health care cost growth. Most significantly, they bring greater transparency to health care spending, providing everyone in the state with a shared understanding of how rapidly health care costs are growing and the factors contributing to high costs and cost growth.

“We’re all feeling the financial strain of inflation and the rising costs of daily life. These reports serve as a critical landmark in our efforts to make high-quality health care more affordable and accessible for everyone in our state, and set the stage for more work to come,” said OHCAT Director Shabnam Salih. “Using this information, advocates, policymakers, and leaders in the health care industry can make evidence-based decisions about how to bring better value and cost savings to New Jersey residents and businesses.”

The three reports released today include:
- First Annual Cost Growth Benchmark Report: 2018-2019, which is based on comprehensive aggregate spending data submitted by health insurance carriers operating in NJ. The report finds that statewide health care spending grew 4.5 percent between 2018 and 2019, increasing from $10,061 to $10,509 per person. Health care spending growth varied by market, with the highest growth in the commercial insurance market (8.7%), followed by Medicaid (4.4%) and Medicare (0.2%). This is the first of the HART Program’s annual Cost Growth Benchmark Reports, which offer insights into the year-over-year change in total health care spending in New Jersey in the last full year before the COVID-19 public health emergency. Following the first program year, future reports will compare annual health care spending to New Jersey’s health care cost growth benchmark, a target to slow spending growth.
- Health Care Spending Trends for New Jersey Residents with Commercial Insurance, 2016–2021, which is based on detailed claims data for approximately 25% of New Jerseyans with employer-sponsored insurance, obtained through the Health Care Cost Institute. The findings show that rising health care prices — and not increased use of services — are driving spending growth in the commercial sector. According to the report, spending per person in New Jersey is growing faster than the national average rate, a gap that has widened from 12 percent in 2016 to 15 percent in 2021.
- The Health Care Landscape in New Jersey: Select Indicators of Quality, Access, and Affordability, which summarizes New Jersey’s performance on a select set of measures of quality, access, and affordability that are obtained through secondary sources. The report finds that health care affordability has generally worsened because of increased spending for out-of-pocket medical costs and health care premiums, while quality and access have remained consistent or improved, compared with previous years. One exception is primary care, where use has fallen. The report highlights the health inequalities among New Jerseyans, with the medical cost burden highest among people with low incomes. White residents fared the worst on the affordability measure of medical cost burden. Residents of Hispanic and Latino heritage fared the worst in terms of access, and Black residents experienced the worst health outcomes. Counties that performed better than the state average on measures of quality were more likely to be in North or Central Jersey, while counties that performed worse on those measures were more likely to be in South Jersey.
Additionally, pursuant to Executive Order No. 217, the Department of Banking and Insurance has prepared a report regarding health insurance affordability standards that has been posted on the Department’s website.

“The reports released today allow for greater transparency around costs and improved understanding of New Jersey’s health care landscape, which will drive strategies to limit cost growth over time,” said Department of Banking and Insurance Acting Commissioner Justin Zimmerman. “New Jersey is committed to increasing access to quality, affordable health care. While strides have been made through the establishment of Get Covered New Jersey, the state’s Official Health Insurance Marketplace, state subsidies to make plans more affordable, caps on certain prescription drugs, and the implementation of out-of-network reforms, it is clear we have more work ahead to connect residents with care they can afford.”

By facilitating the reporting of health care costs in the state and using data to understand the causes of rising health care costs, these reports can inform whole-of-government strategies to reduce health care cost growth while sustaining or improving quality of care, reflecting the Governor’s commitment to put in place long-term solutions that will benefit generations to come.

Across New Jersey, hospitals and health care providers, carriers, employers, consumer groups, union groups, and policy organizations have signaled their commitment to working collaboratively to make health care more affordable, signing onto a compact to meet the State’s established benchmark for health care spending growth. This benchmark acts as a statewide goal for how much health care spending should grow each year to be affordable, bringing it in line with projected increases in wages and the state economy.

MIL OSI USA News –
September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Greens disappointed in lack of SNP commitment to hospitality fair work charter.

Source: Scottish Greens

25 Sep 2024 Economy

SNP fail to back the Fair Work Charter for hospitality workers

More in Economy

The Scottish Government’s lack of up-front commitment to a fair work charter for the hospitality sector is disappointing, says Scottish Greens MSP Maggie Chapman.

This comes following the publication of an inquiry report by the Fair Work Convention, which made 12 key recommendations, including the creation of tax incentives for businesses that pay the Real Living Wage, developing accredited training for managers to champion fair work practices, and the creation of a single Fair Work Charter under which hospitality businesses can operate.

During portfolio questions in the Scottish Parliament, Scottish Greens MSP Maggie Chapman asked the Government:

“The [Fair Work Convention’s] Inquiry recommends the establishment of a voluntary Fair Work Charter for Hospitality that stipulates a range of workers’ protections, from payment of the Real Living Wage and recognition of Real Living Hours to effective voice, robust anti-bullying procedures and “safe home” policies for all workers asked to travel to or from work after 11 pm.

“Can the Minister say how quickly he expects the Charter to be in place, what mechanisms will be in place if an employer breaches any aspect of the Charter, and how he expects public bodies, including local authorities, to support the implementation of the Charter?

“And will the Scottish Government incentivise the adoption of the charter through conditionality for public funding?”

Answering Ms Chapman’s question, the Minister for Employment, Tom Arthur, welcomed the findings of the inquiry; however, he failed to say when the Scottish Government would fully endorse the recommendations.

In response to the Minister’s answer, Ms Chapman said:

“This is a bit of a disappointing response from the Minister. I had expected at least a commitment from the Scottish Government to back the Fair Work Charter, but the Government has sidestepped this answer and said nothing.

“Just yesterday, at the launch of the report, the Minister for Employment said we need to do more to embed the fair work agenda into the structures of the hospitality industry. The Scottish Greens have been pushing to improve conditions for hospitality workers, ensuring every worker gets a real living wage and proper protections.

“We need to see conditions in the hospitality sector rapidly improve for workers; this is such an essential part of our culture and economy, and those working in it deserve clear protection.”

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI Canada: Post Secondary Schools to Receive Menstrual Products for Students in Need

Source: Government of Canada regional news

Released on September 25, 2024

A partnership between the Government of Saskatchewan and Shoppers Drug Mart is expanding a program that distributes free menstrual products in the province.

“We are delighted to continue our partnership with Shoppers Drug Mart and expand this important program,” Minister Responsible for the Status of Women Office Laura Ross said. “This fall, in addition to 670 elementary and high schools, nine post-secondary institutions and six private vocational schools will receive product so students in need have access to free period products. All partners are committed to increasing safety and affordability in our communities.”

Since the initiative was launched in October 2023, more than five million period products have been delivered to 670 schools and 23 shelters across the province. Two million more products are scheduled for distribution starting in October.

“This partnership is another important way we are supporting post-secondary students,” Advanced Education Minister Colleen Young said. “Students should not have to face financial or physical barriers to access menstrual products. This fall, many students will benefit from free access to these essential items as 435,000 products will be delivered to post-secondary institutions across the province.”

The announcement was made at the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technology in Regina, one of the many schools that will benefit from the program. Shipments to the post secondary institutions will start in October.

“At Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies, walking alongside our learners and supporting them throughout their educational journey is central to our student support model,” Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT) Operations & Advancement Vice President Dr. Vickie Drover said. “With over 2,500 students, and 55 per cent identifying as female, ensuring access to essential items is crucial to reducing barriers and fostering a safe, supportive environment. Partnerships like this one are invaluable in our efforts to empower Indigenous learners, enabling them to focus on their education and personal growth.”

Through the partnership with the Shoppers Foundation for Women’s Health, the province will receive 12 million free products over three years. Shoppers donates the products, and Saskatchewan’s Status of Women Office manages the distribution.

“We are proud to see our work with the Government of Saskatchewan continue to expand, reaching more students with the menstrual products they need, where they need them the most,” Shoppers Drug Mart District Manager Kendra Comeau said. “Keeping women and girls in school is key to their overall success and programs like these are breaking down barriers, making it easier for students to reach their full potential.”

Shoppers Drug Mart has a long history of supporting women’s health charities across Canada. With a commitment to regular giving through the charitable arm of the company, Shoppers Foundation for Women’s Health, Shoppers Drug Mart is building on this legacy by focusing on reducing health inequities, particularly through initiatives that promote menstrual equity.

To learn more about the Foundation’s initiatives, visit: shoppersfoundation.ca

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For more information, contact:

MIL OSI Canada News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI USA: Eshoo Bill to Improve Pediatric Drugs Passes House Unanimously
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (D-CA)

Washington, D.C. – Health Subcommittee Ranking Member Anna G. Eshoo (CA-16) released the following statement after the House of Representatives voted unanimously for her Give Kids a Chance Act (H.R. 3433) yesterday. H.R. 3433 is the most comprehensive legislation Congress has passed in more than a decade to address childhood cancer and rare diseases.

“This vote will save children’s lives. I am so grateful to my colleagues for the months of hard work to pass this milestone bipartisan legislation,” Rep. Eshoo said. “The legislation will ensure that children have access to the most innovative treatments and therapies for cancer and rare disease. Our laws must keep up with the rapid advances in medicine.”

The legislation specifically:
- Reauthorizes the FDA’s pediatric priority voucher program for five years to ensure the development of innovative drugs for children continues.
- Directs pharmaceutical companies to conduct pediatric trials with combinations of drugs, something that is already done for adults.
- Brings the FDA’s enforcement capabilities for children on par with that of adults with the goal to complete pediatric studies on time instead of removing a drug from the market because the study wasn’t completed.
- Dedicates existing funds for pediatric research through NIH’s Best Pharmaceutical for Children Act Program for three years.
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MIL OSI USA News –
September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Porter Bill to Modernize Permitting Process Passes House

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Katie Porter (CA-45)

Last night, the House of Representatives unanimously passed Rep. Katie Porter’s (D-CA) Electronic Permitting Modernization Act. The bill, co-led by Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA), would streamline the Department of Interior’s permitting process by establishing a central, online location linking to each type of permit.

“Inefficient, outdated processes waste taxpayer dollars and decrease people’s confidence in our government,” said Rep. Porter. “My bill would make it easier for Americans to get permission to use our public lands for allowed activities, and bring transparency and accountability to the permitting process. It passed the House with unanimous support for one reason: it is good policy that would make government work better for Americans. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to pass this bill without delay.”

The bipartisan Electronic Permitting Modernization Act would push the Department of Interior into the 21st century by encouraging the development of electronic permits that are easily accessible. It would require the Department of Interior to centralize links to these permits onto one webpage and provide resources to help individuals get assistance with permitting questions. The bill establishes reporting mechanisms to help Congress hold the Department accountable for its e-permitting implementation. The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration.

Rep. Porter is committed to making government work better for the American people. She’s introduced legislation to improve and modernize the services that 14 federal agencies offer, like passport renewals, student loan payments, and tax filing. Rep. Porter has used her oversight role—and whiteboard—to hold countless Administration officials accountable for how they serve the public, including the heads of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Department of Housing and Urban Development, and Centers for Disease Control.

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MIL OSI USA News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI USA: Miller, Colleagues Introduce the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program Authorization Act

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV)

Washington D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) introduced the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) Authorization Act with Representatives Terri Sewell (D-AL), Buddy Carter (R-GA), and Ann Kuster (D-NH). The RCORP Authorization Act will establish and expand prevention, treatment, and recovery services in rural areas for opioid users.

“Ensuring there are enough resources for those who are suffering from addiction is a top priority for me. As a representative for a rural district, I have seen firsthand how important it is for my constituents to have access to quality health care. The Rural Communities Opioid Response Program provides funding to rural communities that are in need of recovery facilities, and the program should be authorized to provide certainty for communities and providers. I thank my colleagues for partnering with me on this bipartisan issue to establish addiction prevention services in the most rural areas of the United States,” said Congresswoman Miller.

“The opioid epidemic doesn’t discriminate. As we see in Alabama, it affects people of every background and every zip code, urban and rural. By authorizing the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program, we can take critical steps toward expanding prevention, treatment, and recovery services for opioid users in rural communities. I’m grateful to be part of the bipartisan group of lawmakers working to make that happen,” said Congresswoman Sewell.

“The opioid epidemic is a nationwide crisis that especially impacts rural communities. As a pharmacist and representative for a rural district, I understand the importance of ensuring that all Americans have access to prevention, treatment, and recovery services. Formally authorizing the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program will save lives in districts like mine. I am proud to work in a bipartisan manner to ensure continued access to these vital health care resources,” said Congressman Carter.

“From health care workforce shortages to limited access to treatment and recovery services, rural communities in New Hampshire and across the country have been hit particularly hard by the addiction and overdose crisis. Ending the substance use disorder epidemic calls for an all-of-the-above government response, and the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program will help ensure that even our most rural communities have access to the resources and support they need to save lives,” said Congresswoman Kuster.

“Substance use, including opioid use, is exacerbated in rural America by a lack of access to care and treatment. The Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) is a grant program aimed at alleviating this gap by establishing and expanding prevention, treatment, and recovery services. NRHA applauds the efforts of Representatives Miller, Sewell, Carter, and Kuster for their introduction of the RCORP Authorization Act and their continual leadership on rural issues,” said Alan Morgan, CEO of the National Rural Health Association.

“Rural communities have been uniquely tested by the opioid epidemic. Limited care options, transportation issues, and incomplete support systems along with barriers to reintegration into the workforce have created unique barriers on the road to recovery. The RCORP program has been critical in deploying needed resources to these communities while promoting unique collaborations that provide patient-centered care. As such, we enthusiastically support the continuation of this vital program,” said David Gozal, M.D., M.B.A., Ph.D. (Hon), Vice President for Health Affairs and Dean of the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine at Marshall University.

”On behalf of the 50 State Offices of Rural Health, we are thrilled to see Reps. Carol Miller, Ann Kuster, and Buddy Carter introduce the RCORP Authorization Bill of 2024. The RCORP grant program has been a lifeline for Rural population in West Virginia, New Hampshire, Georgia and all 50 states. If passed into law this bill solidifies the standing of the program in the eyes of Congress – we look forward to working with our rural champions to ensure Congress passes this bipartisan bill into law,” said Tammy Norville, CEO of the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health.

Click here for bill text.

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MIL OSI USA News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI USA: Higher doses of buprenorphine may improve treatment outcomes for people with opioid use disorder

Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 2

News Release

Wednesday, September 25, 2024

NIH-funded analysis suggests higher doses of buprenorphine were associated with lower rates of future behavioral health-related emergency department and inpatient care.

Adults with opioid use disorder who receive a higher daily dose of the opioid addiction treatment medication buprenorphine may have a lower risk of subsequent emergency department visits or use of inpatient services related to behavioral health (such as for mental health and substance use disorders) than adults receiving the recommended dose, according to an analysis funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). These findings suggest that higher buprenorphine doses could be more effective in managing opioid use disorder, which may be particularly relevant for improving treatment for those who use fentanyl, a major driver of the overdose crisis.

Researchers reviewed insurance claims data from over 35,000 people who were diagnosed with opioid use disorder and began buprenorphine treatment between 2016 and 2021. They found that among all people who started treatment with buprenorphine, 12.5% experienced an emergency department or inpatient visit related to behavioral health within the study period. After adjusting for patient demographics and medical history available in the data, researchers then analyzed how long it took for people receiving different doses of buprenorphine to use emergency care or have an inpatient stay after starting treatment.

The recommended target dose for buprenorphine in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s approved labeling is 16 mg per day. Researchers found that those taking higher daily doses of buprenorphine (>16 to 24 mg) took 20% longer to have a subsequent emergency department or inpatient health care visit related to behavioral health within the first year after receiving treatment, compared to those receiving >8 to 16 mg a day. Those taking daily doses of more than 24 mg of buprenorphine went 50% longer before having a subsequent emergency or inpatient health care visit related to behavioral health within the first year after receiving treatment, compared to those receiving >8 to 16 mg a day.

“As the overdose crisis evolves, particularly with the rise of fentanyl, it is crucial to investigate how to best adapt and deliver the lifesaving and evidence-based treatments for opioid use disorder that we have available,” said Nora D. Volkow, M.D., director of NIH’s National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). “The findings add to the growing evidence that higher doses of buprenorphine may have meaningful health impacts for people with opioid use disorder.”

In 2022, of the nearly 108,000 overdose deaths reported in the U.S., almost 70% were primarily due to fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is approximately 50 times stronger than heroin. The ubiquity of fentanyl in the drug supply and associated overdose deaths have raised questions about whether existing dosing guidelines for buprenorphine should be modified to better address the unique challenges posed by such a potent opioid. Higher doses of buprenorphine may be necessary to effectively manage the more severe withdrawal symptoms, cravings, and tolerance associated with fentanyl use.

“Preventing or delaying the need for high-intensity, urgent health care among people with opioid use disorder has tremendous benefits on health and recovery,” said Bradley D. Stein, M.D., Ph.D., a study co-author and director of the RAND-USC Schaeffer Opioid Policy Tools and Information Center. “As we continue to gather data across studies, findings suggest that higher doses of buprenorphine may have the ability to significantly improve treatment in the era of fentanyl, as both fatal and nonfatal overdoses remain unacceptably high.”

The authors also note that addressing barriers to accessing higher doses, such as state laws and insurance policies, will be important in ensuring that all patients receive effective care. In addition, revisiting guidelines that serve as barriers to higher doses could be beneficial, as these may limit access to potentially life-saving treatment for patients at high risk of relapse or overdose.

Notably, the data used in the study were pulled from a single commercial insurance company, which does not include uninsured people and those with Medicaid or fee-for-service Medicare coverage, and the sample of people included in the analysis was 75% non-Hispanic white. Further research is needed to explore the effects of higher buprenorphine doses in more diverse populations, including those with different insurance statuses or in different clinical settings. In addition, the authors note that future research should also investigate additional outcomes such as the long-term effects of high-dose buprenorphine on opioid use disorder treatment retention and overall health outcomes using similar data.

These findings build upon accumulating evidence of the safety and efficacy of higher doses of buprenorphine. Studies have shown that more than 16 mg of buprenorphine is safe and well tolerated in people with opioid use disorder in emergency department and outpatient treatment settings, and that higher buprenorphine doses are associated with improved retention in treatment for opioid use disorder.

This study was funded by the NIH’s NIDA and published in JAMA Network Open. The data analyzed in the study came from a large insurer’s database of commercial claims, including those for Medicare Advantage.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. To learn how to get support for mental health, drug or alcohol conditions, visit FindSupport.gov. If you are ready to locate a treatment facility or provider, you can go directly to FindTreatment.gov or call 800-662-HELP (4357).

About the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): NIDA is a component of the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIDA supports most of the world’s research on the health aspects of drug use and addiction. The Institute carries out a large variety of programs to inform policy, improve practice, and advance addiction science. For more information about NIDA and its programs, visit www.nida.nih.gov.

About the National Institutes of Health (NIH): NIH, the nation’s medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit www.nih.gov.

NIH…Turning Discovery Into Health^®

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MIL OSI USA News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI Security: Box Elder Man Admits Assaulting Woman with Knife on Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI Crime News (b)

GREAT FALLS — A Box Elder man on Monday admitted to assaulting a woman by cutting her face with a knife during an argument on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.

The defendant, Colten Tyrone Small, also known as Colton Swan, 24, pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon and assault resulting in serious bodily injury. Small faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release on each charge.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for Jan. 29, 2025. Small was detained pending further proceedings.

In court documents, the government alleged that in the early morning hours of May 3, 2023, Small punched the victim, identified as Jane Doe, in the face while he held a butcher knife in a residence in Box Elder, on the Rocky Boy’s Reservation. A witness to the assault told law enforcement that Small sliced Doe’s face in the residence. Small and Doe argued, and the fight got more aggressive. After Small cut Doe’s face, the witness beat up Small. There was some fentanyl and alcohol use occurring at the time. Doe was treated for facial injuries from the knife at Northern Montana Hospital.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. The FBI and Rocky Boy’s Law Enforcement investigated the case.

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MIL Security OSI –

September 29, 2024

MIL-OSI Security: Over 100 Defendants Federally Charged With Fraud Related To The COVID-19 Pandemic

Source: United States Department of Justice (National Center for Disaster Fraud)

Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the results achieved by the Middle District of Florida’s efforts to combat fraud related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since March 2020, the United States Attorney’s Office (USAO-MDFL) has federally charged 109 individuals with fraud schemes designed to exploit state and federal programs implemented to alleviate the economic hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. These efforts include complementary actions by the USAO-MDFL’s Criminal, Civil, Asset Recovery, Appellate Divisions, in cooperation with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.

“The Middle District of Florida United States Attorney’s Office, in cooperation with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, is committed to holding accountable those people who schemed to steal or otherwise obtain through misconduct benefits intended for Americans coping with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg.

With respect to criminal enforcement, the USAO-MDFL and federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies combined resources in March 2020 to form the Middle District of Florida COVID-19 Fraud Task Force with the purpose of identifying, investigating, and federally prosecuting fraud related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Since its inception, the Task Force has prosecuted 109 defendants for fraud schemes designed to exploit federal programs including the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”), Economic Injury Disaster Loans (“EIDL”), Unemployment Insurance (“UI”), the Main Street Lending Program (“MSLP”), the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (“ERAP”), as well as government Healthcare programs such as Medicare. Collectively, these defendants sought to defraud the United States of over $96 million. Of the 109 charged defendants, 74 have already been found guilty while prosecution remains pending against 35 defendants.

The Middle District of Florida COVID-19 Fraud Task Force continues to aggressively investigate and prosecute individuals that took advantage of COVID-19 programs. On September 20, 2024, for example, a federal grand jury convicted Angela Chew (60, Leesburg) of conspiracy to bribe a public official and commit wire fraud, three counts of bribery of a public official, and six counts of wire fraud. Chew faces up to 5 years in federal prison on the conspiracy count, up to 15 years in federal prison on each of the bribery counts, and up to 20 years in federal prison on each of the wire fraud counts. Her sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 18, 2024.

According to evidence presented at trial, Chew conspired with three others to submit applications for COVID-19 EIDLs containing false and fraudulent information in exchange for bribe payments. The evidence showed Chew used her position as a loan specialist for the Small Business Administration (SBA) to internally access those loan applications that she and a co-conspirator had submitted on behalf of others. Chew then took actions on the applications within the SBA’s internal processing system that moved the loans towards approval. For example, Chew submitted a loan on behalf of a co-conspirator’s business that she knew was not active or operating at the time she submitted the loan. The loan was flagged as a duplicate by the SBA’s internal system, which stopped the application from progressing toward approval and funding. Chew then entered the SBA’s loan processing system, accessed the loan application, reactivated it, and manipulated the loan’s status multiple times to progress the application toward approval and funding in the amount of $150,000. In exchange, Chew received thousands of dollars in bribe payments from two of her co-conspirators. The evidence showed that Chew caused the funding of at least six EIDL applications, for a total loss of over $800,000.

In July 2024, a federal grand jury returned a superseding indictment charging Jared Dean Eakes (33, Jacksonville) with five counts of wire fraud and three counts of bank fraud. According to the superseding indictment, Eakes participated in a scheme to defraud investors and fraudulently secured approximately $4,752,270 in PPP loans. Eakes caused the submission of four PPP loan applications—including applications for two of the entities involved in the scheme to defraud investors—which contained false and fraudulent supporting documentation and statements regarding the entities’ employees and payroll. Once Eakes obtained the PPP loans, he did not use the funds for qualifying expenses as required by the program. Instead, he used the funds to engage in options trading or withdrew the funds in cash.

In addition to criminal prosecutions, the MDFL-USAO continues to investigate and pursue civil redress against individuals and entities who fraudulently obtained PPP funds. For example, in September 2024, Miles Partnership, LLC (“Miles”), a travel and tourism consulting company headquartered in Sarasota, Florida, agreed to a civil settlement of $2,281,950 to resolve allegations that Miles improperly obtained and received forgiveness for a second draw PPP loan. According to the information contained in the qui tam complaint, Miles was required to file a registration statement under FARA (Foreign Agents Registration Act) due to its work with various foreign tourism boards. The United States investigated these allegations with the cooperation of Miles. The civil settlement will conclude the lawsuit.

Further, the USAO-MDFL’s Asset Recovery Division and federal seizing agencies have completed the forfeiture of more than $20 million of EIDL, UI, and PPP funds that were fraudulently obtained, depriving the fraudsters of their ill-gotten gains and recovering the proceeds for the victims. More than $18 million in additional pandemic fraud proceeds have been seized and are pending civil or criminal forfeiture.

The U.S. Attorney General has established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.

Through the PPP, the federal government authorized over $600 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses through the PPP. The EIDL program provides economic relief to small businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. The MSLP provided support to small and medium-sized businesses and their employees across the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic. UI programs provided unemployment benefits to eligible workers who became unemployed through no fault of their own.

The criminal cases charged by the Middle District of Florida COVID-19 Fraud Task Force have been investigated by the Small Business Administration—Office of Inspector General, the Small Business Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Secret Service, Internal Revenue Service—Criminal Investigation, the Department of Labor—Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Postal Service, the Federal Housing Finance Agency, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation—Office of Inspector General, Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery, Federal Reserve Board—Office of Inspector General, Department of Health and Human Services—Office of Inspector General, Department of Veterans Affairs – Office of Inspector General, U.S. Agency for International Development, the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation, the Tampa Police Department, the Orlando Police Department, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, the Winter Park Police Department, the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, and the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office. The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys throughout the Middle District of Florida.

The Department of Justice needs the public’s assistance in remaining vigilant and reporting suspected fraudulent activity. To report suspected fraud, contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud (“NCDF”) at (866) 720-5721 or file an online complaint at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/webform/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form. Complaints filed will be reviewed at the NCDF and referred to federal, state, local, or international law enforcement or regulatory agencies for investigation.

United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida COVID Fraud Criminal Cases
Charged Cases
Defendant(s) (Age)	Charge(s) Max. Imprisonment	Type of Fraud*	Intended Loss Amount
Tampa Division
Devontaie Deravil	Aggravated identity theft Maximum Prison Term: Two Years Consecutive Access device fraud Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years	UI	$480k
Jordan Ross	Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years Illegal monetary transactions Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years	EIDL/PPP	$1.3M
Marquett James Alyson Marquett	Conspiracy to commit wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years	EIDL/PPP	$96k
Willie Murray Jr.	Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years Aggravated identity theft Maximum Prison Term: Two Years Consecutive	HCF	$5M
Charles Driver Jr.	Conspiracy Maximum Prison Term: 5 years Access device fraud Maximum Prison Term: 10 years	UI	$175k
Eric Canonico	Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years Illegal monetary transactions Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years	PPP	$2.3M
Alexander Leszczynski	Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years Bank fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years Illegal monetary transactions Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years	PPP	$1.1M

Capree Holmes	Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years	EIDL	$159k
Javarus Polite	Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years	PPP	$20k
Luis Morales	Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years	PPP	$40k
Rosson Hamilton	Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years	PPP	$20k
David Antonetti	Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years	PPP	$40k
Carlos Dones	Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years	PPP	$14k
Santos Cruz Rivera	Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years	PPP	$16k
Tevyan Hepburn	Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years	PPP	$20k
Jeanty Cherilus	Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years	EIDL/PPP	$370k
Gage Bowen	Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years	PPP	$20k
These COVID Fraud cases from the Tampa Division are being handled by AUSAs Tiffany Fields, Greg Pizzo, Candace Rich, Jennifer Peresie, Michael Kenneth, Merrilyn Hoenemeyer, and Daniel Baeza
Orlando Division
Evan Edwards Joshua Edwards	Conspiracy to commit bank fraud Maximum Prison Term: 30 years Bank fraud Maximum Prison Term: 30 years Visa fraud Maximum Prison Term: 10 years False statements Maximum Prison Term: 30 years	PPP	$8M
Emmet Bowens	Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years Illegal monetary transactions Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years	PPP	$740k
Latresia Wilson	False statements Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years	HCF	$2.6M
Shawn Simmerer Seth Downes	Conspiracy to commit wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 years Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 years False claim Maximum Prison Term: 5 years	PPP	$344k

Daniel Bohorquez		Conspiracy to commit wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 years Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 years		EIDL			$546k
These COVID Fraud cases from the Orlando Division are being handled by AUSAs Kara Wick, Amanda Daniels, and DOJ Trial Attorney Keith Clouser
Fort Myers Division
Venera Price		Mail fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years		ERAP			$82k
Timothy Jolloff		Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years Money laundering Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years Illegal monetary transactions Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years		PPP/EIDL			$2.1M
Lisa Jolloff		Money laundering Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years Illegal monetary transactions Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years		PPP/EIDL			$2.1M
Diop McKenzie		Bank fraud Maximum Prison Term: 30 years Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years Aggravated identity theft Maximum: Prison Term: Two Years Consecutive		EIDL/PPP			$237k
These COVID Fraud cases from the Fort Myers Division are being handled by AUSA Yolande Viacava and Trent Reichling
Jacksonville Division
Jared Eakes		Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years Bank fraud Maximum Prison Term: 30 years		PPP			$4.7M
Natasha Hemming Tiffany Gonsalves Joshua Seedhaire		Conspiracy Access device fraud Aggravated identity theft Maximum: Prison Term: Two Years Consecutive		UI			$5.6M
These COVID Fraud cases from the Jacksonville Division are being handled by AUSAs David Mesrobian and John Cannizzaro
Ocala Division
Lisa Starkes Ivan Starkes		Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years		PPP			$80k
This COVID Fraud case from the Ocala Division is being handled by AUSA Hannah Nowalk
Adjudicated Cases
Tampa Division
Demarius Wilson	Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years		PPP		$18k
This COVID Fraud case from the Tampa Division is being handled by AUSA Michael Kenneth
Orlando Division
Robert Burns	Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years		PPP		$57k
William Barrientos Grisoris Barrientos	Conspiracy to commit wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years		EIDL		$693k
Angela Chew	Conspiracy Maximum Prison Term: 5 Years Bribery of a public official Maximum Prison Term: 15 Years Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years		EIDL		$732k
These COVID Fraud cases from the Orlando Division are being handled by Amanda Daniels, Diane Hu, and Richard Varadan
Jacksonville Division
James Wigg	Wire Fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 years		PPP		$476k
Crystal Harvell	Wire Fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 years		PPP		$20k
These COVID Fraud cases from the Jacksonville Division are being handled by AUSA, Kevin Frein and Tysen Duva
Ocala Division
Passion Jackson	Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years		PPP			$20k
Nicole Harding	Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years		PPP			$20k
Henry Wade	Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years		EIDL			$500k
These COVID Fraud cases from the Ocala Division are being handled by AUSA Hannah Nowalk
Sentenced Cases
Tampa Division
Louis Thornton, III	Wire fraud Sentence Imposed: 42 months in federal prison		EIDL/PPP		$815k
Kary Stevenson Corey Quinn	Conspiracy to commit access device fraud and aggravated identity theft Sentence Imposed: 5 years, 10 months in federal prison (Stevenson) Sentence Imposed:7 years in federal prison (Quinn)		UI		$1M
Bridgitte Keim	Bank fraud Sentence Imposed: 2 years in federal prison		PPP		$588k
Wayne Ganaway	Conspiracy to commit wire fraud Sentence Imposed: 4 years in federal prison		EIDL		$300k
Rolanda Wingfield	Access device fraud, aggravated identity theft Sentenced Imposed: 3 years in federal prison		UI		$135k
Eriaius Bentley	Racketeering conspiracy, aggravated identity theft, access device fraud Sentence Imposed: One year in federal prison		UI		$3M
Tywon Spann	Racketeering conspiracy, aggravated identity theft, access device fraud Sentence Imposed: 6 years and 9 months in federal prison		UI		$3M
Keaujay Hornsby	Racketeering conspiracy, aggravated identity theft, access device fraud Sentence Imposed: 10 years and 10 months in federal prison		UI		$3M
Kareem Spann	Racketeering conspiracy, aggravated identity theft, access device fraud Sentence Imposed: 10 years and 10 months in federal prison		UI		$3M
Randy Jones	Wire fraud, aggravated identity theft Sentence Imposed: 5 years and 1 month in federal prison		EIDL/UI		$250k
Julio Lugo	Conspiracy to commit money laundering Sentence Imposed: 7 years and 6 months in federal prison		EIDL/PPP		$4.4M
Keith Nicoletta	Conspiracy to commit money laundering Sentence Imposed: 24 months in federal prison		PPP		$1.9M
Rosenide Venant	Conspiracy to commit money laundering Sentence Imposed: 5 years in federal prison		EIDL/PPP		$413k
Melinda Hernandez	Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft Sentence imposed: Three years and six months in federal prison		UI		$1.5M
Bri’antina Mills	Wire fraud and theft of government funds Sentence imposed: 15 months in federal prison		EIDL		$10K
Jorge Gutierrez Echeverria	Wire fraud Sentence imposed: Two years and six months in federal prison		EIDL		$150k
Omar Esquivel Bello	Wire fraud Sentence imposed: 15 months in federal prison		EIDL		$242k
Steve Moodie	Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft Sentence imposed: 5 years and 10 months in federal prison		UI		$1.5M
Richard Simpkins	Conspiracy to commit money laundering Sentence imposed: 5 years and 10 months in federal prison		PPP		$1.9M
Devaris McClain	Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, access device fraud Sentence imposed: 5 years and 1 month in federal prison		UI		$85k
Jalissa McDuffy	Wire fraud Sentence imposed: 3 years supervised release with 6 months home detention		PPP		$41k
Kieanna Garrett	Wire fraud Sentence imposed: 60 days’ imprisonment		EIDL		$40k
Marqus Willard Johnson	Bank fraud Money laundering Sentence imposed: 18 months’ imprisonment followed by 60 moths supervised release		PPP		$500k
Mehdi Tazi	Conspiracy, Aggravated identity theft Sentenced imposed: 5 years imprisonment followed by4 years supervised release		UI		$1.5M
Tyree Wingfield	Conspiracy, Aggravated identity theft Sentenced imposed: 5 years and 10 months imprisonment followed by4 years supervised release		UI		$1.5M
Dawn Ogundele	Theft of government funds Sentence imposed: 2 years’ probation		PPP		$20k
Alexander Alli	Wire fraud conspiracy Sentence imposed: 13 months’ imprisonment		EIDL		$80k
Charles Cunningham	Bank fraud Sentence imposed: 21 months’ imprisonment		PPP		$800k
Jailyn Holmes	Wire fraud Sentence imposed: 5 years’ probation		PPP		$20k
Nicole Bramble-King	Wire fraud Sentence imposed: 5 years’ probation		PPP		$40k
Tommy Louisville	Wire fraud Sentence imposed: 12 months’ imprisonment		PPP		$33k
Joseph Abdo	Wire fraud Illegal monetary transactions Sentence imposed: 5 years’ probation		PPP		$500k
Barrett Purvis	Wire fraud Money laundering Sentence imposed: 2 years and 9 months in federal prison		EIDL		$499k
Bergeline Lexis	Conspiracy to commit wire fraud Sentence imposed: 10 months in federal prison		EIDL/PPP		$68k
These COVID Fraud cases from the Tampa Division were handled by AUSAs Rachel Jones, Greg Pizzo, Tiffany Fields, Diego Novaes, Jennifer Peresie, Merrilyn Hoenemeyer, Jay Trezevant, SAUSA Chris Poor, and DOJ Trial Attorney John Scanlon
Orlando Division
Daniel Johnson	Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, unlawful transfer of firearm Sentence Imposed: 7 years, 6 months in federal prison		UI		$2.3M
Jacquavius Smith	Possession of short-barreled rifle; felon in possession of firearm; and aggravated identity theft Sentence Imposed: 7 years, 1 month in federal prison		PPP		$10k
Johnson Eustache	Wire fraud Sentence Imposed: 5 years in federal prison		EIDL/PPP		$2.2M
Joseph Harrison	Conspiracy to commit wire fraud Sentence Imposed: 12 months in federal prison		UI		$2.1M
Tomas Ziupsnys	Conspiracy to commit bank fraud; bank fraud; aggravated identity theft Sentence Imposed: 5 years in federal prison		PPP		$2M
Holly Urban	Conspiracy to commit bank fraud Sentence Imposed: 30 months in federal prison		PPP		$1.5M
Joel Greenberg	Conspiracy to commit wire fraud and other offenses while on pretrial release Sentence Imposed: 11 years in federal prison		EIDL		$430k
Don Cisternino	Wire fraud, illegal monetary transactions, and aggravated identity theft Sentence Imposed: 8 years and 6 months in federal prison		PPP		$7.2M
Keith Ingersoll	Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft Sentence imposed: 9 years, 1 month in federal prison.		EIDL		$66k
Jaheim Davis	Access device fraud and aggravated identity theft Sentence imposed: 3 years, 6 months in federal prison.		UI		$219k
Teresa McIntyre	Conspiracy to commit wire fraud and other offenses Sentence Imposed: 5 years’ probation		EIDL		$730k
Brian Blake	Possession of device-making equipment, access device fraud, aggravated identity theft Sentence Imposed: 9 years and 8 months in federal prison		PPP/UI		$832k
Joseph Faubert	Bank fraud Sentenced Imposed: 5 years probation		PPP		$778k
These COVID Fraud cases from the Orlando Division were handled by AUSAs John Gardella, Amanda Daniels, Chauncey Bratt, Emily Chang, Shannon Laurie, and Jennifer Harrington, and U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg
Jacksonville Division
Jacob Byrd	Wire fraud Sentence Imposed: 5 years’ probation		PPP		$10k
Deconna Burke	Wire fraud Sentence Imposed: 5 years’ probation		PPP		$20k
Desmond Williams	Wire fraud conspiracy, wire fraud Sentenced Imposed: 5 years’ probation		PPP		$40k
Kenneth Landers	Wire fraud and illegal monetary transaction Sentence Imposed: 1 year in federal prison followed by 1 year of supervised release		PPP		$1.4M
Christopher Daragjati	Wire fraud , Theft of government funds, and Aggravated identity theft Sentenced imposed: 5 years’cisternino imprisonment followed by 3 years’ supervised release.		PPP		$150k
This COVID Fraud case from the Jacksonville Division was handled by AUSA Kevin Frein and Michael Coolican
Fort Myers Division
Casey Crowther	Bank fraud, false statement to a financial institution, illegal monetary transaction Sentence Imposed: 3 years, 1 month in federal prison		PPP		$2.7M
Anthony Bruey Amber Bruey	Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, illegal monetary transactions Sentence Imposed: Anthony Bruey: 4 years, 3 months in federal prison Amber Bruey: 4 years in federal prison		PPP/EIDL		$881k
Edrica Leann Watson	False statement to a lending institution Sentence Imposed: 15 months in federal prison		PPP		$392k
Daniel Joseph Tisone	Wire fraud, bank fraud, money laundering, aggravated identity theft, possession of ammunition by a prohibited person Sentence Imposed: 7 years in federal prison		PPP/EIDL/MSLP		$10.7M
Liliana Gonzalez	Wire fraud Sentence Imposed: 5 years of probation with 18 months of home confinement		PPP		$169k
Al Clint LaRoche	Bank fraud Sentence Imposed: Two years in federal prison		PPP		$1M
Denis Casseus	Bank fraud and illegal monetary transaction Sentence Imposed: 2 years in federal prison followed by 3 years’ supervised release		PPP		$298k
Evan Graves	Wire fraud Sentence Imposed: 18 months in federal prison		EIDL		$1.3M
Ismaelle Manuel	Bank fraud Sentence Imposed: Credit for time served followed by 5 years supervised release		PPP		$280k
These COVID Fraud cases from the Fort Myers Division were handled by AUSAs Trent Reichling, Michael Leeman, Jesus M. Casa, Simon Eth, and Yolande Viacava
Ocala Division
Lavelle Harris	Wire fraud Sentence Imposed: Two years and three months in federal prison		PPP		$1.2M
This COVID Fraud case from the Ocala Division was handled by AUSA Hannah Nowalk
Types of Fraud* Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Unemployment Insurance (UI) Main Street Lending Program (MSLP) Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) Health Care Fraud (HCF)

MIL Security OSI –

September 29, 2024

MIL-OSI USA: SBA Announces Over $3 Million in Awards to Advance Local Entrepreneurial Ecosystems for STEM, R&D-Focused Small Businesses and Startups
Source: United States Small Business Administration

WASHINGTON – Today, Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the voice in President Biden’s Cabinet for America’s more than 34 million small businesses, announced the 2024 Growth Accelerator Fund Competition (GAFC) Stage Two winners. Forty-four accelerator partnerships received between $50,000 and $150,000 each to advance their work supporting small businesses and startups in STEM and research and development (R&D) across priority areas like national and economic security, domestic manufacturing and production, and sustainability and biotechnology.

“Innovation happens everywhere and the Biden-Harris Administration is continuing to build on its commitment to promote sustainable and inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystems that advance research and development and commercialization in communities across the nation,” said Administrator Guzman. “The 2024 GAFC Stage Two award winners will drive forward the Investing in America agenda and strengthen America’s global competitiveness by continuing to support the expanding and increasingly diverse entrepreneurs across the nation and provide them with the opportunities that lower barriers for market and capital access.”

GAFC Stage One prizes emphasized ecosystem network building, while Stage Two efforts focus on the enhanced support that can be provided to small businesses and startups through these Growth Accelerator Partnerships. These partnerships span public, private, nonprofit, and academic institutions, fostering collaboration across industries and geographies, with lead awardees headquartered in 34 U.S. states and territories, including Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, and assisting innovators nationally.

“Since its launch in 2014, the SBA’s Growth Accelerator Fund Competition (GAFC) has made a positive difference to local and national innovation-focused entrepreneurship organizations and the communities they support. The competition has grown to be a core component and vital source of support to our nation’s innovation ecosystem. Over the last decade, SBA has awarded 566 prizes totaling over $33 million to winners across the U.S. and U.S. territories. We are delighted to announce 31 of this year’s Stage Two winners are new to the program, and we are inspired to witness communities of ecosystem developers coming together to build new relationships and networks with GAFC funding,” said Bailey G. DeVries, Associate Administrator for SBA’s Office of Investment and Innovation.

Growth Accelerator Fund Competition Stage Two Winners

Learn more about each GAFC partnership in the public directory located at https://bit.ly/GAFC24Directory.

National and Economic Security
- Ala., The Catalyst Center for Business and Entrepreneurship
- Calif., Starburst Accelerator
- Colo., Catalyst Accelerator
- Ind., Central Indiana Corporate Partnership
- Ind., Indiana Center for Emerging Technologies
- La., Maven Scouts
- Md., Rural Autonomous Innovation Network (RAIN) Association of University Research Parks (AURP)
- Mo., Codefi Foundation on Rural Innovation
- Mont., Early Stage Montana
- Neb., Invest Nebraska
- N.M., NewSpace Nexus
Domestic Manufacturing and Production
- Ariz., Startup Tucson
- Ark., Endeavor NWA Entrepreneurs
- District of Columbia, National Disability Institute
- Fla., Florida Institute of Technology
- Fla., International Business Innovation Association
- Hawaii, XLR8HI
- N.C., RIoT
- N.D., Grand Farm Research and Education Initiative Inc.
- N.Y., FuzeHub
- N.Y., Southern Tier High Technology Incubator Inc.
- Utah, Utah Advanced Materials Manufacturing Institute
- Wash., 360 Social Impact Studios
Sustainability and Biotechnology
- Alaska, Spruce Root Inc.
- Calif., Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator
- Conn., The Community Foundation-Mission Investments Company
- Ill., University of Illinois Research Park LLC
- Maine, Central Maine Growth Council
- Mass., SeaAhead Inc.
- Minn., RuralWorks Partners LLC
- N.C., Eva Garland Consulting LLC
- N.Y., The Hudson Valley Venture Hub at SUNY New Paltz
- Ore., Oregon Health and Science University
- Pa., University City Science Center
- Puerto Rico, CARBONO3 LLC
- Tenn., BioTN Foundation Inc.
- Tenn., Native American Investment and Capital Alliance
- Texas, Health Wildcatters
- Texas, Impact Hub Houston
- Utah, Altitude Lab
- Va., FedTech
- Vt., LaunchVT
- W.Va., U.S. Research Impact Alliance Corp.
- Washington, D.C., Women in Engineering ProActive Network
“Supported by SBA’s Investment and Innovation Ecosystem Development (IIED) Division, the Growth Accelerator Fund Competition awards boost strategic partnerships that create a national network so entrepreneurs can tap into significant capital and resources. Our work emphasizes the value of strategic connections and relationships across a wide variety of entrepreneur support organizations and accentuates how the work they are doing can successfully impact the growth and advancement of our federal innovation ecosystem,” said Brittany Sickler, Director of Ecosystem Development, for SBA’s Office of Investment and Innovation. “We are changing the trajectory for underserved communities and founders so that more startups and small businesses can scale and grow. “

For more information about the Growth Accelerator Fund Competition, please visit SBA’s Growth Accelerator Fund Competition (americasseedfund.us).

###

About SBA Office of Investment and Innovation

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Investment and Innovation (OII) leads programs that provide the growth-oriented small business and startup community with access to financial capital, networks, assistance, and R&D funds to develop commercially viable innovations. Our work is underpinned by public-private partnerships that help small businesses on their trajectory from idea to IPO.

About the U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

MIL OSI USA News –
September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: At Hearing, Warren Slams Trump for Role in Criminalizing Abortion, Pushes Back on Misinformation

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
September 25, 2024
Warren: “The consequences (of overturning Roe v. Wade) have been disastrous. Women hemorrhaging in parking lots until they are closer to death, women airlifted to another state for an emergency abortion, women traveling from emergency room to emergency room, desperate for help, only to be turned away and left to miscarry at home.”
Warren: “Thanks to Donald Trump, doctors in nearly half the country now have to wonder if they will face criminal penalties for providing medically necessary care.”
Video of Exchange (YouTube)
Washington, D.C. – At a hearing of the Senate Finance Committee, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) highlighted the dangerous consequences women have faced two years after Donald Trump’s Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Senator Warren recounted recent tragedies in states with abortion bans and warned that doctors’ ability to perform life-saving care in emergency situations is under attack. Just last week, ProPublica reported on the untimely deaths of two Georgia mothers, Amber Nicole Thurman and Candi Miller, who were denied timely care following rare, but treatable, complications from medication abortion.
Senator Warren pushed back on Republican efforts to use these womens’ deaths to spread misinformation about the safety of medication abortion, which Dr. Amelia Huntsberger, Obstetrician and Gynecologist, confirmed is “extremely safe.” When asked what is to blame for the unnecessary suffering women are facing when attempting to receive emergency medical care in states with abortion bans, Dr. Huntsberger clarified that “lawmakers, who may or may not have bothered to understand the complexity of pregnancy and medical care, made laws that are impacting physicians’ ability to act and to take care of their patients.”
Senator Warren also highlighted the stakes of the Supreme Court’s decision to dismiss a case related to the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA), which requires hospitals that accept Medicare to provide stabilizing care to individuals with an emergency medical condition. Professor Michele Goodwin, JD, Georgetown University School of Law, described the Court’s failure to affirm the 200-year-old principle that federal law preempts state law as “incredibly dangerous.”
Senator Warren called for restoring the protections of Roe v. Wade to protect women’s lives and bodily autonomy.
Transcript: Hearing on Chaos and Control: How Trump Criminalized Women’s Health Care Senate Finance CommitteeSeptember 24, 2024
Senator Elizabeth Warren: So it has been two years since Donald Trump’s Supreme Court overturned Roe versus Wade. The consequences have been disastrous. Women hemorrhaging in parking lots until they are closer to death, women airlifted to another state for an emergency abortion, women traveling from emergency room to emergency room, desperate for help, only to be turned away and left to miscarry at home.
Ms. Joshua, I am deeply sorry for what happened to you. It should not have happened to anyone. Trump’s abortion bans aren’t just causing unnecessary suffering, they’re killing women.
Last week, we learned about Amber Nicole Thurman. Amber lived in Georgia. She was mother to a six year old boy. She hoped to become a nurse. After learning she was pregnant, she fled to another state, where she got a medication abortion back in Georgia, Amber experienced a rare complication. She waited 20 hours before doctors performed the life saving surgery that she needed, but 20 hours made it too late. Anti-abortion extremists want to twist Amber’s story to spread misinformation about the safety of medication abortion.
Doctor Huntsberger, you are an OBGYN. How safe is medication abortion?
Dr. Amelia Huntsberger, Obstetrician and Gynecologist: Extremely safe. We have decades of research on mifepristone demonstrating its safety. Risk of complications are always present with any medication, but are quite low. It’s also important to note that the same both medications and treatment with surgical procedures are identical for the management of early pregnancy loss or miscarriage and abortion,
Senator Warren: All right, so extremely safe, is what I heard you say. And in the rare case where there is a complication, is it treatable?
Dr. Huntsberger: Yes.
Senator Warren: Eminently treatable. But anti-abortion extremists want to misdirect and cast blame on the providers, arguing that doctors are willfully misapplying the law.
Dr Huntsberger, tell us, what’s really going on here?
Dr. Huntsberger: I think it’s important that instead of trying to shift blame to physicians who are practicing in a really hostile and challenging environment, for us to look at why they are in that circumstance in the first place, and that is because lawmakers, who may or may not have bothered to understand the complexity of pregnancy and medical care made laws that are impacting physicians’ ability to act and to safely take care of their patients.
Senator Warren: Okay, so the problem is not here with the physicians, it’s with the lawmakers who are passing these laws. I think what we’re seeing is Republican politicians who pass these medically unsound and dangerous laws that end up intimidating and confusing physicians who are just trying to provide care.
Tragically, another Georgia mother, Candy Miller, died at home because Georgia’s abortion ban made her afraid to seek the medical care that she needed. Amber and Candy should be alive today.
Now we have a federal law that is designed to prevent tragedies like this from occurring, the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, EMTALA, as it’s known, requires hospitals to provide stabilizing care to individuals in an emergency situation. Earlier this year, the Supreme Court heard arguments about whether Idaho’s near total ban on abortion conflicts with EMTALA.
Professor Goodwin. You’re a constitutional law expert. The Supreme Court did not actually resolve this. They sent it back to the lower court. What should we take away from this? Does this mean we are now safe and we’ll have the protection in emergency circumstances? Go ahead, Professor Goodwin.
Professor Michele Goodwin: No, we should all be deeply alarmed by the Supreme Court’s procedural move, rather than substantively answering the question that federal law trumps states’ laws. It’s been a principle in American law for over 200 years, and the Supreme Court’s failure to be clear on that, that a state law does not preempt federal law is something that is incredibly dangerous.
Senator Warren: Okay. Dangerous. I hear alarm bills going off. The stakes couldn’t be higher. Thanks to Donald Trump, doctors in nearly half the country now have to wonder if they will face criminal penalties for providing medically necessary care.
44% of women of reproductive age now live in states where they don’t get to make decisions about their own bodies, and two women, undoubtedly more, have now died because they were not able to access the timely care they needed. We must restore the protection of Roe to make sure this never happens again.

MIL OSI USA News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI USA: VIDEO RELEASE: Sen. Johnson’s Full Roundtable Discussion, American Health and Nutrition: A Second Opinion

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Ron Johnson

WASHINGTON – On Monday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) led a roundtable discussion titled, American Health and Nutrition: A Second Opinion. Sen. Johnson and a panel of experts provided a foundational and historical understanding of the changes that have occurred over the last century within agriculture, food processing, and healthcare industries which impact the current state of national health.

Watch the full four-hour discussion here.

PARTICIPANTS:

Dr. Casey Means

Dr. Casey Means is a medical doctor, New York Times bestselling author, tech entrepreneur (Levels), aspiring regenerative gardener, and outdoor enthusiast. While training as a surgeon, she saw how broken and exploitative the healthcare system is and left to focus on how to keep people out of the operating room.

Dr. Jordan Peterson

Dr. Jordan B. Peterson is a renowned psychologist, author, and online educator. His bestselling books, including “12 Rules for Life” and “Beyond Order,” have sold millions of copies worldwide. Dr. Peterson’s lectures and podcasts consistently attract large audiences, providing valuable insights into topics such as mythology, psychology, and personal development.

Calley Means

Calley Means is the co-founder of Truemed, a company that enables tax-free spending on food and exercise. He recently started an advocacy coalition with leading health and wellness companies called End Chronic Disease. Earlier in his career, he was a consultant for food and pharma companies and is now exposing practices they use to weaponize our institutions of trust.

Mikhaila Fuller

Mikhaila Fuller is a podcaster, lifestyle and diet blogger, the Co-Founder and CEO of Peterson Academy, and the founder of Fuller Health and The Lion Diet. The Lion Diet is a therapeutic and plant free ketogenic diet that can be used to treat autoimmunity and psychiatric disorders. On “The Mikhaila Peterson Podcast,” she discusses health, cultural phenomena, politics, and other topics.

Alex Clark

Alex Clark is a food activist, advocate for healthier food systems, and host of the “Culture Apothecary” podcast. She is committed to educating consumers on the importance of organic farming and the dangers of harmful additives in food products. Clark’s mission is to inspire positive change in both personal health choices and industry standards, driving the movement toward cleaner, more responsible food production.

Vani Hari (Food Babe)

Vani Hari, known as the “Food Babe,” is a food activist, author, and speaker committed to improving food quality and safety. She has built a powerful platform through her blog, advocating for transparency in food labeling, and the removal of harmful chemicals from processed foods. Her activism has spurred significant changes in the food industry, encouraging consumers to make healthier, more informed choices while prompting companies to adopt cleaner practices.

Jillian Michaels

Jillian Michaels is a globally recognized fitness expert, entrepreneur, and best-selling author. With her no-nonsense approach to health, she has inspired millions through her fitness programs, books, and digital platforms. Best known for her role on “The Biggest Loser,” Michaels promotes a balanced approach to fitness and nutrition, emphasizing long-term health and self-empowerment.

Max Lugavere

Max Lugavere is a leading health and wellness advocate, filmmaker, and New York Times bestselling author of “Genius Foods.” His work focuses on the link between diet, lifestyle, and brain health, and he has become a trusted voice in educating people about how nutrition impacts cognitive function.

Dr. Chris Palmer

Dr. Chris Palmer, MD is a Harvard-trained psychiatrist, researcher, and author of “Brain Energy,” where he explores the groundbreaking connection between metabolic health and mental illness. He is a leader in innovative approaches to treating psychiatric conditions, advocating for the use of diet and metabolic interventions to improve mental health outcomes. Dr. Palmer’s work is reshaping how the medical field views and treats mental health disorders.

Brigham Buhler

Brigham Buhler is the founder and CEO of Ways2Well, a healthcare company that provides personalized preventative care through telemedicine. With a strong background in the pharmaceutical industry, Buhler has focused on making healthcare more accessible by harnessing the power of technology to deliver effective and tailored treatments. His vision for improving health outcomes has positioned him as a leader in modern, patient-centered healthcare solutions.

Courtney Swan

Courtney Swan is a nutritionist, real food activist, and founder of the popular platform “Realfoodology.” She advocates for transparency in the food industry, promoting the importance of whole foods and clean eating. Swan is passionate about educating the public on the benefits of a nutrient-dense diet, and she encourages sustainable, chemical-free farming practices to ensure better health for people and the planet.

Jason Karp

Jason Karp is the Founder and CEO of HumanCo – a mission-driven company that invests in and builds brands focused on healthier living and sustainability. In addition to HumanCo, Jason is the Co-Founder of Hu Kitchen, known for creating the #1 premium, organic chocolate in the U.S.. Prior to HumanCo, Jason spent over 21 years in the hedge fund industry where he was the Founder and CEO of an investment fund that managed over $4 billion. Jason graduated summa cum laude from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Grace Price

Grace Price is an 18-year-old citizen scientist and health activist. Grace gained recognition for her documentary Cancer: A Food-Borne Illness, which challenged the commonly held belief that cancer is a genetic disease. The main focus of her work is advocating for the health of her generation through exposing the corruption behind big food and pharmaceutical conglomerates.

Dr. Marty Makary

Dr. Marty Makary MD, MPH is a surgeon and public policy researcher at Johns Hopkins University. He writes for The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal and is the author of two New York Times bestselling books, “Unaccountable” and “The Price We Pay.” He has been an outspoken opponent of broad vaccine mandates and some COVID restrictions at schools. Dr. Makary holds degrees from Bucknell University, Thomas Jefferson University, and Harvard University.

MIL OSI USA News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI USA: SBA Announces Over $3 Million in Awards to Advance Local Entrepreneurial Ecosystems for STEM, R&D-Focused Small Businesses and Startups
Source: United States Small Business Administration

WASHINGTON – Today, Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the voice in President Biden’s Cabinet for America’s more than 34 million small businesses, announced the 2024 Growth Accelerator Fund Competition (GAFC) Stage Two winners. Forty-four accelerator partnerships received between $50,000 and $150,000 each to advance their work supporting small businesses and startups in STEM and research and development (R&D) across priority areas like national and economic security, domestic manufacturing and production, and sustainability and biotechnology.

“Innovation happens everywhere and the Biden-Harris Administration is continuing to build on its commitment to promote sustainable and inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystems that advance research and development and commercialization in communities across the nation,” said Administrator Guzman. “The 2024 GAFC Stage Two award winners will drive forward the Investing in America agenda and strengthen America’s global competitiveness by continuing to support the expanding and increasingly diverse entrepreneurs across the nation and provide them with the opportunities that lower barriers for market and capital access.”

GAFC Stage One prizes emphasized ecosystem network building, while Stage Two efforts focus on the enhanced support that can be provided to small businesses and startups through these Growth Accelerator Partnerships. These partnerships span public, private, nonprofit, and academic institutions, fostering collaboration across industries and geographies, with lead awardees headquartered in 34 U.S. states and territories, including Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, and assisting innovators nationally.

“Since its launch in 2014, the SBA’s Growth Accelerator Fund Competition (GAFC) has made a positive difference to local and national innovation-focused entrepreneurship organizations and the communities they support. The competition has grown to be a core component and vital source of support to our nation’s innovation ecosystem. Over the last decade, SBA has awarded 566 prizes totaling over $33 million to winners across the U.S. and U.S. territories. We are delighted to announce 31 of this year’s Stage Two winners are new to the program, and we are inspired to witness communities of ecosystem developers coming together to build new relationships and networks with GAFC funding,” said Bailey G. DeVries, Associate Administrator for SBA’s Office of Investment and Innovation.

Growth Accelerator Fund Competition Stage Two Winners

Learn more about each GAFC partnership in the public directory located at https://bit.ly/GAFC24Directory.

National and Economic Security
- Ala., The Catalyst Center for Business and Entrepreneurship
- Calif., Starburst Accelerator
- Colo., Catalyst Accelerator
- Ind., Central Indiana Corporate Partnership
- Ind., Indiana Center for Emerging Technologies
- La., Maven Scouts
- Md., Rural Autonomous Innovation Network (RAIN) Association of University Research Parks (AURP)
- Mo., Codefi Foundation on Rural Innovation
- Mont., Early Stage Montana
- Neb., Invest Nebraska
- N.M., NewSpace Nexus
Domestic Manufacturing and Production
- Ariz., Startup Tucson
- Ark., Endeavor NWA Entrepreneurs
- District of Columbia, National Disability Institute
- Fla., Florida Institute of Technology
- Fla., International Business Innovation Association
- Hawaii, XLR8HI
- N.C., RIoT
- N.D., Grand Farm Research and Education Initiative Inc.
- N.Y., FuzeHub
- N.Y., Southern Tier High Technology Incubator Inc.
- Utah, Utah Advanced Materials Manufacturing Institute
- Wash., 360 Social Impact Studios
Sustainability and Biotechnology
- Alaska, Spruce Root Inc.
- Calif., Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator
- Conn., The Community Foundation-Mission Investments Company
- Ill., University of Illinois Research Park LLC
- Maine, Central Maine Growth Council
- Mass., SeaAhead Inc.
- Minn., RuralWorks Partners LLC
- N.C., Eva Garland Consulting LLC
- N.Y., The Hudson Valley Venture Hub at SUNY New Paltz
- Ore., Oregon Health and Science University
- Pa., University City Science Center
- Puerto Rico, CARBONO3 LLC
- Tenn., BioTN Foundation Inc.
- Tenn., Native American Investment and Capital Alliance
- Texas, Health Wildcatters
- Texas, Impact Hub Houston
- Utah, Altitude Lab
- Va., FedTech
- Vt., LaunchVT
- W.Va., U.S. Research Impact Alliance Corp.
- Washington, D.C., Women in Engineering ProActive Network
“Supported by SBA’s Investment and Innovation Ecosystem Development (IIED) Division, the Growth Accelerator Fund Competition awards boost strategic partnerships that create a national network so entrepreneurs can tap into significant capital and resources. Our work emphasizes the value of strategic connections and relationships across a wide variety of entrepreneur support organizations and accentuates how the work they are doing can successfully impact the growth and advancement of our federal innovation ecosystem,” said Brittany Sickler, Director of Ecosystem Development, for SBA’s Office of Investment and Innovation. “We are changing the trajectory for underserved communities and founders so that more startups and small businesses can scale and grow. “

For more information about the Growth Accelerator Fund Competition, please visit SBA’s Growth Accelerator Fund Competition (americasseedfund.us).

###

About SBA Office of Investment and Innovation

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Investment and Innovation (OII) leads programs that provide the growth-oriented small business and startup community with access to financial capital, networks, assistance, and R&D funds to develop commercially viable innovations. Our work is underpinned by public-private partnerships that help small businesses on their trajectory from idea to IPO.

About the U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

MIL OSI USA News –
September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI: UPDATE — Tactile Medical Announces Positive Clinical Trial Results in Lymphedema Patients Using Advanced Pneumatic Compression Device Therapy
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Tactile Systems Technology, Inc. (“Tactile Medical”; the “Company”) (Nasdaq: TCMD), a medical technology company providing therapies for people with chronic disorders, today announced the publication of a new clinical study in the Journal of Vascular Surgery, Venous and Lymphatic Disorders. This study assessed outcomes associated with use of the Company’s Flexitouch advanced pneumatic compression device (APCD) in Veterans with lower extremity lymphedema. Notably, this 52-week study represents the largest peer-reviewed, prospective, clinical trial investigating PCDs and lymphedema ever published in the United States.

The prospective, longitudinal, pragmatic study publication, titled “Longitudinal assessment of health-related quality of life and clinical outcomes with at home advanced pneumatic compression treatment of lower extremity lymphedema”, was authored by Padberg et al. and included 179 Veterans across four participating VA medical centers. The primary outcome measures included disease-specific health-related quality of life (QoL) endpoints obtained at baseline and again at each of 12, 24, and 52 weeks. The secondary outcome measures assessed limb circumference, cellulitis events, skin quality, and therapy compliance over the course of 52 weeks. Among the patients included in the study, chronic venous insufficiency was the most common etiology of lymphedema (phlebolymphedema), presenting in approximately 63% of study participants. Further, mild lymphedema was the most common disease stage, presenting in 68% of patients.

The study demonstrated significant improvements in its primary endpoint of health-related and general quality of life measures. Specifically, Lymphedema Quality of Life (QoL) increased from 6.2 to 6.9, which includes improvements in function, appearance, symptoms, and emotion.

The secondary endpoint results demonstrated several statistically significant improvements, baseline to 52 weeks, with reductions in limb girth, cellulitis events, and skin hyperpigmentation. Among these results, the following were observed:
- Limb girth decreased by 1.4 cm
- Cellulitis events decreased from 21.4% to 6.1%
- Skin hyperpigmentation decreased from 75% of patients to 40%
There were additional improvements also noted in compliance and limb girth reduction which included:
- 92% patient compliance (defined as used for 5 to 7 days per week) with Flexitouch at 8 weeks and 72% patient compliance at 52 weeks
- 74% patient compliance with compression garments at 52 weeks, compared to 64% at baseline
- 6% limb girth reduction at 12 weeks in patients with moderate (stage 2) and severe (stage 3) lymphedema.
“We sincerely thank the clinical researchers, patients, and VA Medical Centers for advancing peer-reviewed evidence that supports clinical and patient benefits of our Flexitouch therapy,” said Sheri Dodd, President and Chief Executive Officer of Tactile Medical. “Achieving these impressive study results, including outstanding compliance over a 1-year timeframe, validates the importance of APCD therapy outcomes and demonstrates a patient experience that supports strong adherence to therapy. We are proud to provide Veterans the at-home tools they need to improve their clinical symptoms and quality of life.”

Full text of the study may be found online at: https://www.jvsvenous.org/article/S2213-333X(24)00208-7/fulltext.

About Tactile Systems Technology, Inc. (DBA Tactile Medical)

Tactile Medical is a leader in developing and marketing at-home therapies for people suffering from underserved, chronic conditions including lymphedema, lipedema, chronic venous insufficiency and chronic pulmonary disease by helping them live better and care for themselves at home. Tactile Medical collaborates with clinicians to expand clinical evidence, raise awareness, increase access to care, reduce overall healthcare costs and improve the quality of life for tens of thousands of patients each year.

Investor Inquiries:
Sam Bentzinger
Gilmartin Group
investorrelations@tactilemedical.com

The MIL Network –
September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI: Visiting Media Appoints Steve Sackman as Senior Vice President of Global Sales

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

NEW YORK, Sept. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Visiting Media, the leader in immersive sales enablement for the hospitality industry, is proud to announce the appointment of Steve Sackman as Senior Vice President of Global Sales. A proven hospitality veteran with over 20 years of experience, Sackman will lead Visiting Media’s global sales efforts, accelerating growth and expanding the adoption of cutting-edge immersive technologies designed to transform how hotels engage and convert customers.

Sackman’s impressive career spans senior leadership roles with top-tier hospitality brands, including Highgate Hotels, Destination Hotels & Resorts, and Convene. His deep expertise in aligning sales strategies with industry trends and delivering exceptional revenue growth has made him a trusted advisor in the industry. Sackman’s hands-on experience working with prestigious properties like CoralTree Hospitality and SLS South Beach enables him to bring a unique perspective to Visiting Media—ensuring the company’s innovative solutions continue to meet the evolving needs of hoteliers and above-property sales teams.

“Steve’s extensive background in hospitality sales leadership brings a valuable operator’s perspective to our team,” said Jascha Kaykas-Wolff, COO of Visiting Media. “His deep empathy for the challenges and opportunities facing hotel sales executives will be crucial as we continue to deliver impactful solutions like SalesHub™ and Hospitality Cloud. Steve’s leadership will be a game-changer in helping us empower our customers to close deals faster and drive revenue growth.”

Known for his ability to cultivate high-performing sales teams and foster cross-functional collaboration, Sackman joins Visiting Media at a pivotal moment. With more than 3,300 customers worldwide, the company’s immersive sales enablement platforms are rapidly transforming how hotels showcase their spaces, engage prospective customers, and streamline the booking process. As the industry increasingly embraces virtual experiences to enhance customer engagement, Sackman will play a key role in scaling Visiting Media’s global footprint and delivering powerful, immersive sales tools to hotels around the world.

“I’m thrilled to join the innovative team at Visiting Media,” said Sackman. “Having worked on the frontlines of hotel sales, I understand firsthand the critical importance of technology that enhances sales efforts and accelerates the decision-making process. Visiting Media’s immersive solutions are a game-changer for the industry, and I’m excited to help more hotels leverage these tools to elevate their sales performance and drive lasting success.”

With Sackman’s leadership, Visiting Media is poised to strengthen its position as a leader in the hospitality tech space, helping hotels and above-property teams maximize their sales potential through immersive experiences and next-generation sales enablement tools.

About Visiting Media
Visiting Media is a software company on a mission to simplify selling spaces and experiences for hospitality. We aim to revolutionize sales enablement and digital asset management solutions for property and above-property sales teams by harnessing the power of immersion to gain a competitive edge. Our innovative solutions redefine the management and distribution of immersive assets across channels, reshaping how the hospitality industry conducts sales and communication. Learn more at visitingmedia.com.

The MIL Network –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI USA: Edwards speaks in support of due process for recognizing federal tribes

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chuck Edwards (NC-11)

U.S. Congressman Chuck Edwards (NC-11) today delivered remarks on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives in support of upholding the merit-based process when recognizing federal tribes, including the Lumbee community.

The remarks as prepared are below, or you may watch online here.

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“I rise today to express my deep opposition to any circumvention of the merit-based process set out in law, which would grant federal recognition to the Lumbee community through political means.

“I am proud to represent North Carolina’s 11th District, which is the home of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, a Tribal Nation rich with culture, language, and sovereignty that is a treasure to the State of North Carolina and the United States.

“I am proud to have the representatives of the Eastern Band with us in the gallery today.

“The Eastern Band Cherokees are the descendants of those that fought to stay in their traditional homelands in the face of forcible federal removal efforts.

“Some Cherokee, including a man named Junaluska, made the forced journey and then walked back to the mountains of Western North Carolina to return home.

“It must be noted that the Lumbee community has no standing treaties with the federal government, no reservation land, and no common language.

“As Members of Congress, one of our most sacred duties is making sure that laws are drafted and implemented in an objective and equal manner.

“For over 40 years, the Department of the Interior has carried out a merit-based process, as set out by Congress and administered by the Office of Federal Acknowledgment (OFA), to make determinations on federal recognition of tribes.

“If the administration or Congress allows the Lumbee to bypass the OFA, it sends a clear message that other groups with dubious claims for tribal recognition can also avoid the deliberation and scrutiny that the OFA petition process is designed to provide.

“We need the OFA process to protect Indian country and the public. The process requires verification that the persons who claim to be tribal members actually have Native American descent.

“Believe it or not, the OFA has determined that some petitioning groups are comprised entirely of people that cannot demonstrate Native American ancestry. Not a single person.

“Regarding the Lumbee, in one fell swoop, the federal government would recognize a tribe that would soon be the largest in the country, and all enrolled members would likely gain full access to all federal benefits, which will further strain the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Indian Health Service’s already-stretched budgets.

“As a member of the Interior & Environment Subcommittee on House Appropriations, I’m proud that we funded the needs of the Indian Health Service and other critical priorities for our nation’s tribes in the FY25 bill recently approved in the House.

“That said, if the overall tribal population covered by these services is allowed to swell by tens of thousands of people, many of whom have no Native ancestry, I fear that necessary appropriations cannot feasibly keep pace.

“That is the crux of the issue to me – if there was actual merit behind the Lumbee case for federal recognition, they’d go through the OFA process as set out in the law.

“But as they know it won’t hold up under a deliberative process, they’ve instead sought to get special treatment through other avenues, all in the face of credible opposition by multiple federally recognized tribes.

“More than 140 established tribes from across the country have said that the Lumbee and other groups should go through the federal recognition process at the Department of Interior to demonstrate the merits of their claim to be a tribe. I agree.

“I urge all of my colleagues to take these concerns into account, and I hope that the merit-based process put in place by Congress decades ago on federal tribal recognition will be adhered to.

“And Mr. Speaker, while I have the floor, I’d also like to urge you and my colleagues to move H.R. 7227, the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act, to create a commission to get a better understanding of the grievous wrongs done to Native American children in federally run boarding schools.

“Our tribal nations deserve the dignity to understand what happened to their family members at these schools. It’s the very least this country can do.”

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Chief Michell Hicks said, “We commend Congressman Edwards for his leadership in defending Indigenous sovereignty from those seeking to undermine the OFA process. The Lumbees, who have repeatedly failed to meet the standards for federal recognition – attempt to circumvent the established process through political pressure and maneuvering in Congress by blocking the return of historic and sacred lands back to tribes across the country and other key legislation impacting Federally-recognized tribes.

“Additionally, the Lumbees are taking millions of dollars in Federal Funding through HUD, HHS and other Federal agency funding sources blocking hundreds of Tribes from receiving these critical resources. We will continue to fight these political tactics and will continue to fight to protect the sovereignty of Indigenous communities and uphold the integrity of our nation’s processes.”

MIL OSI USA News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI USA: Reps. Ami Bera, Larry Bucshon Introduce Bipartisan Penicillin Allergy Verification and Evaluation Act
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Ami Bera (D-CA)

U.S. Representative Ami Bera, M.D. (D-CA-06), along with U.S. Representative Larry Bucshon, M.D. (R-IN-08) and eight additional bipartisan colleagues, recently introduced the Penicillin Allergy Verification and Evaluation (PAVE) Act. This legislation would add a penicillin allergy verification component to the “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit and annual wellness visits.

“Evidence shows that millions of seniors have either outgrew or mistakenly believe they have a penicillin allergy, yet have never been retested. As a doctor, I understand firsthand how crucial it is to have accurate, up-to-date health information,” said Representative Ami Bera. “An outdated or incorrect penicillin allergy in someone’s medical record can restrict treatment options, increase healthcare costs, and contribute to the spread of antimicrobial resistance. The PAVE Act offers a common-sense solution to this problem. By including penicillin allergy verification in Medicare’s initial and annual wellness visits, we can help ensure that seniors receive the most effective and appropriate treatments available.”

“As a physician, I know just how important it is to have a full picture of a patient’s health and wellness. Without accurate health information, patients and their health care providers can’t make informed health decisions,” said Dr. Bucshon. “It has become apparent that millions of patient records contain inaccurate information about a penicillin allergy—maybe because of a misdiagnosis, or because the individual outgrew the allergy later in life. This legislation will provide our seniors with better access to penicillin allergy verification testing, ensuring that they can receive treatments most appropriate for their situation.”

The PAVE Act is supported by a wide variety of clinician and patient stakeholder groups, including the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, which provided feedback in drafting the bill.

“The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) enthusiastically applauds Representatives Bucshon, Bera, Griffith, Peters, Murphy, Schrier, Kelly, DelBene, Miller-Meeks, and Underwood for their leadership in introducing the PAVE Act”, said Dr. Paul Williams, President, AAAAI. “Millions of patients believe they are allergic to penicillin, but evidence shows that 95% of patients with a self-reported penicillin allergy in their electronic medical record can safely take penicillin. The PAVE Act would add penicillin allergy verification and evaluation for Medicare beneficiaries, which will improve healthcare outcomes for these patients, while also reducing healthcare costs and help fight antimicrobial resistance. As we approach National Penicillin Allergy Day on September 28, the AAAAI looks forward to working with the bill champions to educate the public on penicillin allergy testing and advance this important legislation.”

Additional Supporting Organizations:

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI)

American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy (AAOA)

American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS)

American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology(ACAAI)

American College of Physicians (ACP)

American Gastroenterological Association (AGA)

American Geriatrics Society (AGS)

Allergy and Asthma Network (AAN)

American Medical Association (AMA)

Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA)

Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Connection Team (FAACT)

Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE)

Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA)

International Food Protein Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome Association (I-FPIES)

The Mast Cell Disease Society, Inc. (TMS)

Peggy Lillis Foundation (PLF)

BACKGROUND: Millions of patients believe they are allergic to penicillin, but evidence shows that the vast majority of patients with a self-reported allergy can safely take penicillin after verification testing and evaluation. Removing an incorrect penicillin allergy label from a patient’s electronic medical record is a relatively easy, low cost and important public health intervention that can improve patient outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and advance the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Addressing inaccurate reports of penicillin allergy is particularly crucial for older adults, who face heightened vulnerability to severe infections and adverse drug reactions.

BILL SUMMARY: To improve antibiotic stewardship and combat AMR, the PAVE Act seeks to identify and de-label Medicare patients who have been previously labeled with a penicillin allergy. The legislation adds “penicillin allergy verification and evaluation” as part of Medicare’s Initial Preventative Physical Exam (IPPE) and Annual Wellness Visit (AWV). IPPEs are covered for new Medicare Part B enrollees within the 12 months and AWVs are covered annually.

The bill defines “penicillin allergy verification and evaluation” as:
- identification of individuals reporting a history of penicillin allergy;
- consideration of whether the reported reaction history is consistent with an allergy/hypersensitivity reaction or can be re-evaluated;
- provision of information on the adverse individual and public health impact of a penicillin allergy label; and
- referral to an allergy/immunology specialist, as appropriate.
MIL OSI USA News –
September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI USA: Scott, Grassley, and Bicameral Colleagues Call Out Abuses in the Biden-Harris Unaccompanied Migrant Children Program

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for South Carolina Tim Scott

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) joined Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) in a letter urging President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to work with Congress to root out abuses in their administration’s unaccompanied migrant children program and stop the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)’s cover-up of the crisis. HHS has failed to comply with two out of three Department of Homeland Security (DHS) subpoenas and other information requests issued amid its investigation into more than 100 suspicious sponsors.

“As a result of your open-borders policies, overseen by Vice President Harris, who was tasked with “stemming the migration” at our border with Mexico, more than 500,000 unaccompanied alien children (UACs) have crossed the southwest border without a parent or guardian to provide care since you took office, a massive increase when compared to previous administrations.1 These UACs often experience horrible sexual, physical, and emotional abuse on the journey and are victims of cartel trafficking and exploitation, a business that surged an estimated 2,500 percent from the Trump Administration to the middle of your term in 2022,” wrote the senators.

The senators said, “Even as the trafficking business and the number of children entering the U.S. surged, HHS (Department of Health and Human Services) ORR (Office of Refugee Resettlement) cut back significantly on background checks and vetting procedures to speed up the process, despite knowing children were being trafficked through HHS ORR’s UAC (unaccompanied alien children) program. Your Administration likewise continued Vice President Harris’s longtime priority of cutting back on information sharing between HHS ORR and law enforcement related to unaccompanied children and sponsors.”

“This is not a partisan issue. It can and should bring us together, as we try to protect Americans and UACs placed in HHS ORR custody alike. Your Administration must make changes to its policies and procedures for UACs to end this public safety crisis,” continued the senators.

“[The Biden-Harris HHS] must stop its cover-up and cooperate with law enforcement and Congress to end this crisis and protect unaccompanied children and the American people,” the lawmakers concluded.

Read the full letter HERE.

Program Abuse
More than 500,000 unaccompanied migrant children have crossed the southwest border under the Biden-Harris administration, while cartel trafficking activity surged an estimated 2,500 percent. Amid this crisis, the lawmakers note the Biden-Harris administration limited background checks for sponsors of unaccompanied children, cut back on familial DNA testing at the border and decreased information sharing with law enforcement.

Seeking Solutions
The lawmakers are urging Biden and Harris to “make changes to [their] policies and procedures” in order to “end this public safety crisis.” They are specifically calling on the Biden-Harris administration to enhance information sharing with law enforcement and Congress, fully cooperate with DHS’s child exploitation investigation and thoroughly respond to all congressional oversight requests.

Joining Senators Tim Scott and Grassley on the letter are Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), along with Sens. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), John Kennedy (R-La.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), and Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.).

Additional co-signers in the House include Reps. Tom McLintock (R-Calif.), Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), Chip Roy (R-Texas), Dan Bishop (R-N.C.), Scott Fitzgerald (R-Wis.), Cliff Bentz (R-Ore.), Ben Cline (R-Va.), Barry Moore (R-Ala.), Russell Fry (R-S.C.), Harriet Hageman (R-Wyo.), Wesley Hunt (R-Texas), Laurel Lee (R-Fla.), and Michael Rulli (R-Ohio).

MIL OSI USA News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI USA: Duckworth, Booker, Blunt Rochester, Tlaib, Dingell, Lee Call for Expedited Review and Implementation of Biden Administration’s Proposed Strengthening of the Lead and Copper Rule

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth

September 25, 2024

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Cory Booker (D-NJ)—co-founders of the new U.S. Senate Lead Task Force and the U.S. Senate Environmental Justice Caucus—along with U.S. Representatives Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE-AL), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI-12), Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) and Barbara Lee (D-CA-12) are calling on the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to expedite its review of the Biden Administration’s proposed Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI), which would lower the lead action level to better protect human health and require water systems to replace old and deteriorating lead pipes within a decade. The lawmakers’ bicameral letter underscores the importance of OMB completing its review ahead of the October 16^th finalization deadline to not only help ensure these important improvements are implemented as quickly as possible, but also prevent water systems from being forced to temporarily comply with the prior rule proposed by the Trump Administration—also known as the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR)—which would put public health at risk. Congresswomen Blunt Rochester, Tlaib and Dingell are co-founders and co-leads of the Get the Lead Out Caucus in the House.

In the letter, the lawmakers outlined what’s at stake if the proposed LCRI is not finalized by October 16^th: “…water systems and states will be required to start complying immediately with the deeply problematic LCRR. EPA concluded that temporary implementation of the LCRR rule from the prior administration will create bureaucratic complexity and confusion for regulated entities, waste scarce resources, result in widespread non-compliance and risk delaying or failing to realize the full benefits of the LCRI… In addition to the unnecessary potential confusion and complexity, the prior administration’s LCRR would put public health at risk by implementing inadequate policies that do not meaningfully address the lead contamination problems in communities across the country.”

In addition to preventing water systems from being forced to comply with Trump Administration’s previously proposed LCRR, swiftly finalizing the Biden Administration’s proposed LCRI would help ensure full implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s provisions aimed at removing lead pipes and advancing environmental justice. The lawmakers wrote: “The commitment of the Biden-Harris Administration and EPA extends beyond the LCRI, but a timely final LCRI is necessary to stop the ongoing environmental health crises. The $15 billion in dedicated funding for lead pipe replacement and additional $11.7 billion in grants, loans and principal forgiveness made possible through Congress’s passage of Senator Duckworth’s Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act, included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and other sources, need the proposed LCRI to be finalized to ensure safe and expedient implementation.”

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law included Duckworth’s Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act (DWWIA) and is the most significant federal investment in water infrastructure in history, including $15 billion for national lead pipe replacement. DWWIA, which focuses on disadvantaged communities, will help rebuild our nation’s crumbling and dangerous water infrastructure and enable communities to repair and modernize their failing wastewater systems.

Along with Duckworth and Booker, the letter is co-signed in the Senate by U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Tom Carper (D-DE), Bernie Sanders (D-VT) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).

Along with Blunt Rochester, Tlaib, Dingell and Lee, the letter is co-signed in the House by: Alma Adams (D-NC-12), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-01), Julia Brownley (D-CA-26), Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13), Sean Casten (D-IL-06), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL-20), Yvette Clarke (D-NY-09), Steve Cohen (D-TN-09), Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06), Dwight Evans (D-PA-3), Bill Foster (D-IL-11), Maxwell Alejandro Frost (D-FL-10), John Garamendi (D-CA-08), Jesús G. “Chuy” García (D-IL-04), Robert Garcia (D-CA-42), Sylvia R. Garcia (D-TX-29), Daniel Goldman (D-NY-10), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-05), Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ-07), Jared Huffman (D-CA-02), Jonathan Jackson (D-IL-01), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA-07), Robin Kelly (D-IL-02), Ro Khanna (D-CA-17), Daniel Kildee (D-MI-08), Summer Lee (D-PA-12), Stephen Lynch (D-MA-08), Seth Magaziner (D-RI-02), Jennifer McClellan (D-VA-04), Betty McCollum (D-MN-04), James P. McGovern (D-MA-02), Grace Meng (D-NY-06), Kevin Mullin (D-CA-15), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY-12), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC-At Large), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY-14), Chellie Pingree (D-ME-01), Delia Ramirez (D-IL-03), Linda Sánchez (D-CA-38), John Sarbanes (D-MA-03), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09), Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA-03), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI-07), Eric Sorensen (D-IL-17), Melanie Stansbury (D-NM-01), Haley Stevens (D-MI-11), Shri Thanedar (D-MI-13), Jill Tokuda (D-HI-13), Ritchie Torres (D-NY-15), Frederica Wilson (D-FL-24), Hank Johnson (D-GA-04), Patrick Ryan (D-NY-18), Joe Courtney (D-CT-02), Katie Porter (D-CA-47), David J. Trone (D-MD-06), Donald S. Beyer, Jr. (D-VA-08), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-08), Gerald Connolly (D-VA-11), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA-18), Gabe Amo (D-RI-01), Sara Jacobs (D-CA-51) and Darren Soto (D-FL-09).

After leading a dozen of their Senate colleagues in calling on EPA to strengthen and enforce the Lead and Copper Rule, Duckworth and Booker applauded the Biden Administration for heeding their request in November of last year. In February, Duckworth, Booker, Tlaib and Dingell urged the Biden Administration to strengthen the rule further by considering additional provisions that would improve and expedite the Biden Administration’s effort to remove all lead service lines from our nation.

The letter is endorsed by: Natural Resources Defense Council, League of Conservation Voters, EarthJustice, Protect Kids From Lead Coalition, National Association of Water Companies, BlueGreen Alliance, Environmental Defense Fund, Unleaded Kids and National Center for Healthy Housing.

The full letter can be found below or on Senator Duckworth’s website:

Dear Director Young:

We appreciate the Biden-Harris Administration’s bold leadership and substantial efforts to remove nearly all lead service lines from across our nation within 10 years. The commitment to ensure safe, lead-free drinking water in every community has been evident through both federal investments and the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) proposed rule that was published in December 2023 and submitted for finalization to the White House Office of Management and Budget’s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs in August 2024. This proposal represents another critical step forward that will protect public health, create jobs and ensure a better future for our children. We write to underscore the importance of finalizing the LCRI before October 16, 2024, to avoid a default implementation of the previous administration’s Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR).

As you know, if the rule is not finalized by October 16, water systems and states will be required to start complying immediately with the deeply problematic LCRR. EPA concluded that temporary implementation of the LCRR rule from the prior administration will create bureaucratic complexity and confusion for regulated entities, waste scarce resources, result in widespread non-compliance and risk delaying or failing to realize the full benefits of the LCRI. See 88 Fed. Reg. at 84,903, 84,967-69. In addition to the unnecessary potential confusion and complexity, the prior administration’s LCRR would put public health at risk by implementing inadequate policies that do not meaningfully address the lead contamination problems in communities across the country.

Finalizing the LCRI in a timely way also works to protect our most vulnerable. Lead service lines are disproportionately located in low-income communities and communities of color. This increased risk of lead-contaminated drinking water factors into disadvantaged communities’ greater cumulative risk of lead exposure. Early lead exposure can lead to lasting behavioral and intellectual disabilities and research shows that children who were exposed to lead are more likely to have lower socioeconomic statuses than their parents in adulthood. But adults are not exempt from lead’s impacts; exposure causes cardiovascular and renal problems as well as an increase in all-cause mortality. There is no safe level of lead exposure.

The commitment of the Biden-Harris Administration and its EPA extends beyond the LCRI, but a timely final LCRI is necessary to stop the ongoing environmental health crises. The $15 billion in dedicated funding for lead pipe replacement and additional $11.7 billion in grants, loans and principal forgiveness made possible through Congress’s passage of Senator Duckworth’s Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act, included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and other sources, need the proposed LCRI to be finalized to ensure safe and expedient implementation.

A timely final LCRI is necessary to immediately and urgently address lead contamination in communities across the country and remove the estimated 9 million service lines across the nation that contain lead. The final rule will ensure that safe and lead-free drinking water is available in all communities and we look forward to continue working with you on this effort.

Sincerely,

-30-

MIL OSI USA News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI Canada: Bringing mobile lung screening to rural Alberta
Source: Government of Canada regional news

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Alberta’s government is committed to providing high-quality health care services for all Albertans, no matter where they live in the province. To ensure Albertans can get the care they need close to home, Alberta’s government and the Alberta Cancer Foundation are partnering with the not-for-profit 19 to Zero to support mobile lung health units that will bring screening services to underserved communities across the province.

Investing in mobile services available in rural and remote communities will increase the likelihood of early detection and treatment, improving health outcomes and bridging gaps in the health care system. The mobile screening program will receive $1.5 million from Alberta’s government, which will be matched by the Alberta Cancer Foundation.

“We are committed to ensuring every Albertan has access to the health care services they need when and where they need them. These mobile units will help bridge existing gaps in the health care system and improve outcomes for Albertans in rural and remote areas.”

Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Health

“Living outside of a big city shouldn’t mean less access to vital testing and screening services. Early detection is key to successful cancer treatment, and these specialized mobile clinics will bring essential diagnostics to thousands of Albertans in rural, Indigenous and underserved communities each year.”

Wendy Beauchesne, CEO, Alberta Cancer Foundation

The mobile lung health units will travel to and service underserved, high-priority communities across the province. Patients in these communities often experience lengthy travel times to reach their closest diagnostic centres, which can lead to delayed diagnoses and the suboptimal management of lung conditions.

“19 to Zero is excited to be partnering to provide mobile health services for lung cancer and lung health testing. Many Albertans face health care access challenges, particularly in rural and remote areas, and this mobile unit will help improve equitable access across the province.”

Theresa Tang, co-founder and CEO, 19 to Zero

The mobile units include a converted medical sprinter van for pulmonary function testing (PFT) and a custom-built diagnostic imaging truck. The units will be designed and operated by Aceso Medical, and they will use mobile internet and Starlink to integrate with Connect Care, ensuring instant access to test results for radiologists and pulmonologists.

The mobile lung health units will provide PFT and computed technology (CT) scans, which are critical diagnostic tools for identifying and managing lung diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer. Across Canada, these services are predominantly available in urban centres, leaving rural and remote communities without access close to home.

Alberta’s government will work with health care partners and local leadership to help determine areas of need for mobile visits. A website will be developed where the location and schedule of the units will be available.

The pulmonary function testing van is expected to be operational and on the road in spring 2025, with the CT truck following in late summer. Once operational, these mobile units will be able to complete more than 4,000 PFTs and up to 6,000 CT scans per year.

Alberta’s government is committed to improving outcomes for Albertans diagnosed with cancer and will continue to engage in partnerships to leverage the growing life sciences sector.

Quick facts
- Alberta’s government is providing $1.5 million to support the mobile units. These funds will be matched by the Alberta Cancer Foundation.
  - $1 million in 2024-25
  - $500,000 in 2025-26
- PFTs are non-invasive tests that measure lung volume, lung capacity, rates of flow and gas exchange in patients. These tests help health care providers diagnose and develop treatment plans for various lung conditions.
- Low-dose CT scans provide detailed images to identify small nodules and other abnormalities that might be missed by standard X-rays. They are vital tools in the early detection of lung cancer and other life-critical diseases.
- Units will be staffed by qualified nurses, CT technicians and respiratory therapists.
- The 41-foot mobile CT truck will be the first of its kind focused on lung health in Canada.
- One in 13 Albertans will develop lung cancer in their lifetime and more than 1,500 lives are lost each year due to this disease.
Related information
- Cancer Care Alberta
- Alberta Cancer Foundation
- 19 to Zero
Multimedia
- Watch the news conference
MIL OSI Canada News –
September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI USA: Lee, Blunt Rochester, Tlaib, Dingell, Duckworth, and Booker Call for Expedited Review and Implementation of Biden Administration’s Proposed Strengthening of the Lead and Copper Rule

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Barbara Lee 13th District of California

September 25, 2024

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representatives Barbara Lee (D-CA-12), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE-AL), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI-12), and Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06), alongside U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Cory Booker (D-NJ), called on the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to expedite its review of the Biden Administration’s proposed Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI), which would lower the lead action level to better protect human health and require water systems to replace old and deteriorating lead pipes within a decade. The lawmakers’ bicameral letter underscores the importance of OMB completing its review ahead of the October 16^th finalization deadline to not only help ensure these important improvements are implemented as quickly as possible, but also prevent water systems from being forced to temporarily comply with the prior rule proposed by the Trump Administration—also known as the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR)—which would put public health at risk. Congresswomen Blunt Rochester, Tlaib and Dingell are co-founders and co-leads of the Get the Lead Out Caucus in the House.

In the letter, the lawmakers outlined what’s at stake if the proposed LCRI is not finalized by October 16^th: “…water systems and states will be required to start complying immediately with the deeply problematic LCRR. EPA concluded that temporary implementation of the LCRR rule from the prior administration will create bureaucratic complexity and confusion for regulated entities, waste scarce resources, result in widespread non-compliance and risk delaying or failing to realize the full benefits of the LCRI… In addition to the unnecessary potential confusion and complexity, the prior administration’s LCRR would put public health at risk by implementing inadequate policies that do not meaningfully address the lead contamination problems in communities across the country.”

In addition to preventing water systems from being forced to comply with Trump Administration’s previously proposed LCRR, swiftly finalizing the Biden Administration’s proposed LCRI would help ensure full implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s provisions aimed at removing lead pipes and advancing environmental justice. The lawmakers wrote: “The commitment of the Biden-Harris Administration and EPA extends beyond the LCRI, but a timely final LCRI is necessary to stop the ongoing environmental health crises. The $15 billion in dedicated funding for lead pipe replacement and additional $11.7 billion in grants, loans and principal forgiveness made possible through Congress’s passage of Senator Duckworth’s Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act, included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and other sources, need the proposed LCRI to be finalized to ensure safe and expedient implementation.”

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law included Duckworth’s Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act (DWWIA) and is the most significant federal investment in water infrastructure in history, including $15 billion for national lead pipe replacement. DWWIA, which focuses on disadvantaged communities, will help rebuild our nation’s crumbling and dangerous water infrastructure and enable communities to repair and modernize their failing wastewater systems.

Along with Duckworth and Booker, the letter is co-signed in the Senate by U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Tom Carper (D-DE), Bernie Sanders (D-VT) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).

Along with Blunt Rochester, Tlaib, Dingell and Lee, the letter is co-signed in the House by: Alma Adams (D-NC-12), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-01), Julia Brownley (D-CA-26), Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13), Sean Casten (D-IL-06), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL-20), Yvette Clarke (D-NY-09), Steve Cohen (D-TN-09), Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06), Dwight Evans (D-PA-3), Bill Foster (D-IL-11), Maxwell Alejandro Frost (D-FL-10), John Garamendi (D-CA-08), Jesús G. “Chuy” García (D-IL-04), Robert Garcia (D-CA-42), Sylvia R. Garcia (D-TX-29), Daniel Goldman (D-NY-10), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-05), Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ-07), Jared Huffman (D-CA-02), Jonathan Jackson (D-IL-01), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA-07), Robin Kelly (D-IL-02), Ro Khanna (D-CA-17), Daniel Kildee (D-MI-08), Summer Lee (D-PA-12), Stephen Lynch (D-MA-08), Seth Magaziner (D-RI-02), Jennifer McClellan (D-VA-04), Betty McCollum (D-MN-04), James P. McGovern (D-MA-02), Grace Meng (D-NY-06), Kevin Mullin (D-CA-15), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY-12), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC-At Large), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY-14), Chellie Pingree (D-ME-01), Delia Ramirez (D-IL-03), Linda Sánchez (D-CA-38), John Sarbanes (D-MA-03), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09), Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA-03), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI-07), Eric Sorensen (D-IL-17), Melanie Stansbury (D-NM-01), Haley Stevens (D-MI-11), Shri Thanedar (D-MI-13), Jill Tokuda (D-HI-13), Ritchie Torres (D-NY-15), Frederica Wilson (D-FL-24), Hank Johnson (D-GA-04), Patrick Ryan (D-NY-18), Joe Courtney (D-CT-02), Katie Porter (D-CA-47), David J. Trone (D-MD-06), Donald S. Beyer, Jr. (D-VA-08), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-08), Gerald Connolly (D-VA-11), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA-18), Gabe Amo (D-RI-01), Sara Jacobs (D-CA-51) and Darren Soto (D-FL-09).

After leading a dozen of their Senate colleagues in calling on EPA to strengthen and enforce the Lead and Copper Rule, Duckworth and Booker applauded the Biden Administration for heeding their request in November of last year. In February, Duckworth, Booker, Tlaib and Dingell urged the Biden Administration to strengthen the rule further by considering additional provisions that would improve and expedite the Biden Administration’s effort to remove all lead service lines from our nation.

The letter is endorsed by: Natural Resources Defense Council, League of Conservation Voters, EarthJustice, Protect Kids From Lead Coalition, National Association of Water Companies, BlueGreen Alliance, Environmental Defense Fund, Unleaded Kids and National Center for Healthy Housing.

To read the full letter, click here.

MIL OSI USA News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI USA: Capito Secures CDS Awards to Expand Cybersecurity, Health Facilities and Services in West Virginia

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS), announced eight Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) awards from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for education and research programs, facility construction and renovations, and healthcare treatment resources in West Virginia.
These awards, which were secured through CDS requests made by Ranking Member Capito in Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24), will be used to improve medical centers and treatment, bolster cybersecurity education, and expand the educational opportunities for future healthcare workers in West Virginia.
“After partnering with organizations across our state and listening to their needs, I am excited to see these awards help West Virginia institutions meet critical goals to expand medical services offered by providers in our state in both scope and quantity. I am also particularly excited to see Marshall expanding its National Center of Excellence for Cyber Security in Critical Infrastructure, which I have championed,” Ranking Member Capito said. “These CDS awards will help deliver medical and educational outcomes in West Virginia and I am proud to have secured them. As Ranking Member of the Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee, I will continue to partner with local leaders to identify their most pressing needs and work to build up our medical and educational infrastructure.”
Individual award details listed below:
$15,000,000 HHS CDS award to Marshall University (Huntington, W.Va.) for cyber security training of critical infrastructure operators in West Virginia. This project will continue development of a critical infrastructure cyber security lab started in 2023 to research cyber-attacks and determine how to mitigate their effects. The project also will continue efforts to train critical infrastructure operators on the cyber-defense techniques that will allow them to maintain their systems, even in the face of cyber-attacks. This funding will allow the university to add additional categories of critical infrastructure to its laboratories, and to conduct research to determine how those categories are vulnerable, what attacks will be effective, and then subsequently what mitigation techniques can be developed to overcome them. Additionally, a curriculum will be developed to train operators on these attacks and mitigation techniques, so that they can recognize them and respond in a timely manner with an appropriate mitigation response.
Ranking Member Capito has long been a supporter of this effort, using her role on the Appropriations Committee to drive resources to help Marshall grow their cyber security emphasis. In August, Senator Capito hosted U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Director Jen Easterly at Marshall University’s Institute for Cyber Security and the National Center of Excellence for Cyber Security in Critical Infrastructure.

$12,600,000 HHS CDS award to West Virginia University (WVU) (Morgantown, W.Va.) for the expansion and renovation of existing WVU School of Dentistry clinical space and the consolidation of all postgraduate programs on the Health Sciences Center campus. The renovations and upgrades will transform dental education and practice to meet the oral health needs of West Virginians, provide excellence in training for new generations of dental professionals, enable the school to compete for and retain well-qualified faculty and students, and propel dental research to further support patient care, education, and outreach programming.
$7,516,000 HHS CDS award to the Charleston Area Medical Center (CAMC) Greenbrier Medical Center, Inc. (Ronceverte, W.Va.) to construct a state-of-the-art facility to house an employed multispecialty physician practice of CAMC Greenbrier Valley Medical Center. Currently, the employed physicians supporting the hospital are not located on the campus of the hospital. The current rented locations are neither modern nor accessible and were not constructed to meet the needs of patients and providers. The new medical staff office building on the CAMC Greenbrier Valley Medical Center campus will support improved access to multispecialty services for the hospital’s patients. It will also enhance the hospital’s ability to attract new physicians and retain the ones already recruited to the area. The enhanced ease of access will ultimately improve the health of residents in the Greenbrier Valley Region. The project will allow CAMC Greenbrier Valley Medical Center to expand its Family Medicine, Cardiology, Urology, Pulmonology, ENT, and General Surgery departments. It will also provide room for the addition of Neurology Services and a telemedicine hub as CAMC Greenbrier Valley Medical Center becomes a full services community hospital.

$5,000,000 HHS CDS award to the Minnie Hamilton Health Care Center (Grantsville, W.Va.) to make the necessary improvements to the hospital building that offers the needed healthcare services for the community in order for those services to remain uninterrupted. This renovation project would provide new clinical, dietary, and laboratory space for patients. Also included in this phased project would be the remodel of the emergency department, ancillary therapies, and pharmacy. These renovations would enable Minnie Hamilton to provide the needed healthcare services to one of the most underserved regions of West Virginia. The current facility is over 60 years old and has exceeded its useful life. Completion of this project would ensure those healthcare services remain for the next 30-40 years.

$5,000,000 HHS CDS award to Camden-on-Gauley Medical Center (Camden on Gauley, W.Va.) to construct a new building in Summersville, W.Va. that will contain the organization’s administrative offices, optical, x-ray, and physical therapy services. Camden Family Health plans to transition all administrative functions to this proposed building, along with the health center’s optical, physical therapy, and x-ray services. The construction of a new building and the transfer of services will provide increased access to patients, as the existing space that houses administrative services is in proximity to patients served.

$3,000,000 HHS CDS award to Summers County (Hinton, W.Va.) to assist the Summers County Commission, in partnership with Appalachian Regional Healthcare, Inc. (ARH), in renovating and expanding the emergency department at Summers County ARH Hospital in Hinton, W.Va. Summers County ARH Hospital treated over 4,600 emergency cases in 2022; however, with 1,808 square feet of space, Summers County’s existing emergency department faces numerous challenges in accommodating emergency patients. The emergency department renovation project will be an asset for the entire Summers County community and a resource for the residents of all ages who need the medical services this modern facility will be designed to provide.
$1,000,000 HHS CDS award to Potomac Valley Hospital (PVH) of W.Va., Inc. (Keyser, W.Va.) to create a new six-bed observation unit that will enhance Emergency Department (ED) capacity and quality of care by reducing premature discharges and transfers, improving operational efficiency, and lowering costs. By renovating an outdated segment of the existing ED layout, PVH will create a new 1,675 square foot clinical space centered on six dedicated observation beds to take the pressure off of existing inpatient beds and boost the Hospital’s overall capacity.

$300,000 HHS CDS award to Jefferson County Community Ministries, Inc. (Charles Town, W.Va.) for a homeless shelter that will supply a variety of essential services, including emergency housing, health and medical care, food and clothing, case management and life skills training, and other aid to vulnerable citizens, children, and families in Jefferson County. Currently, there is no homeless shelter or family shelter in Jefferson County region. Jefferson County Community Ministers (JCCM) is working to establish the first emergency shelter for the homeless and vulnerable in Jefferson County, which will include the first family emergency shelter in the Eastern Panhandle.
$300,000 HHS CDS award to the Wood County Parks and Recreation Commission (Waverly, W.Va.) to replace the outdated Chiller/Air Conditioner at the White Oak Village section of the park to ensure the continued success of the Harmony Ridge Recover Center operation. The replacement and upgrade of the Chiller/Air Conditioning unit for the lodge plays a vital role in continuing treatment services offered by Harmony Ridge Recovery Center.

MIL OSI USA News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI USA: Capito-Authored Language Leads to Additional Funding in Fight Against Opioids

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS), announced $45,774,615 to West Virginia from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) State Opioid Response (SOR) grant program. Since the creation of the SOR grant program in 2018, Ranking Member Capito has secured over $200 million for West Virginia to fight the opioid epidemic.
“With help from the SOR grant program, West Virginia has made strides in the fight against opioids with education and by expanding the discussion around Substance Use Disorder and Medication Assisted Treatment,” Ranking Member Capito said. “Recent provisional data shows a historic drop in opioid deaths in West Virginia and the SOR grant program has been crucial in this achievement. As Ranking Member of the Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee, I’ve worked hard to ensure our state is eligible to receive resources necessary to combat this crisis, not just a population-based amount. This has included new solutions like the provision I authored to prioritize funds for states hardest hit by the crisis. However, this battle is not over and I will continue to fight to make sure our state has what it needs to finally overcome this crisis.”
BACKGROUND:
This funding amount could have been considerably less were it not for language authored by Ranking Member Capito that would ensure states most impacted by the opioid crisis would receive more funding for their efforts. Specifically, Ranking Member Capito raised this issue in 2017 during the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) budget request hearing when initial discussions began on how to effectively assist the hardest-hit states. Prior to this change, funds were distributed by population, which often put West Virginia at a disadvantage for necessary resources. Ranking Member Capito’s language set aside 15% for states with the highest mortality rates from opioid use.
West Virginia has used SOR grants for several purposes, including to:
Improve coordination across prevention and treatment activities.
Support the statewide behavioral health infrastructure such as through county coalitions.
Increase awareness that addiction is a disease and reduce the stigma around medication assisted treatment (MAT) through a statewide media campaign.
Sponsor treatment for individuals without insurance or insurance that does not cover substance use disorder (SUD).
Expand access to MAT at all regional jails.
Train over 1,000 professionals on effective MAT practices especially on pregnant and postpartum women, opioid overdose survivors, and hospital emergency departments.
Broaden the curriculum at the three medical schools in the state.
Establish Quick Response Teams (QRT).
Provide after-hours transportation and expanded route access to cover more rural areas through the West Virginia Public Transit Authority to allow individuals to access treatment services.

MIL OSI USA News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Barragán to Join Presidential Delegation led by First Lady Dr. Jill Biden to Attend Inauguration of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 24, 2024

Contact: Kevin McGuire, 202-538-2386 (mobile)

Kevin.McGuire@mail.house.gov

Washington D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (CA-44) released the following statement after the White House announced that she will be part of the official Presidential Delegation, led by First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, that will travel to Mexico City to attend the inauguration of Her Excellency Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo. President-Elect Sheinbaum Pardo is the first woman elected to Mexico’s presidency.

“It’s a true honor to join Dr. Biden and the Presidential Delegation to represent the United States at President-Elect Sheinbaum Pardo’s historic inauguration,” said Rep. Barragán. “As our neighbor and trading partner, collaboration between our nations is critical to bolster trade, tackle the climate crisis, reduce delays at our ports of entry and address root causes of migration. Her Excellency’s inauguration and new administration will bring renewed partnership on critical issues that impact the lives of our people. I look forward to celebrating this historic achievement for Mexico with Dr. Biden and the Delegation, and working with President-elect Sheinbaum Pardo to build on over 200 years of strong bilateral relations.”

Yesterday, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. announced the designation of a Presidential Delegation to attend the Inauguration of Her Excellency Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo on October 1, 2024, in Mexico City, Mexico.

Dr. Jill Biden, First Lady of the United States, will lead the delegation.

Members of the Presidential Delegation Include:
- The Honorable Ken Salazar, U.S. Ambassador to Mexico
- The Honorable Alejandro N. Mayorkas, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
- The Honorable Xavier Becerra, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- The Honorable Isabella Casillas Guzman, Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration
- The Honorable Chris Murphy, United States Senator, Connecticut
- The Honorable Nanette Barragán, United States Representative, California and Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus
- The Honorable Regina Romero, Mayor of Tucson
- The Honorable Dr. Liz Sherwood-Randall, Assistant to the President and Homeland Security Advisor and Deputy National Security Advisor of The White House
- Mr. Carlos Elizondo, Deputy Assistant to the President and White House Social Secretary
# # #

Congressmember Nanette Barragán represents California’s 44^th District. She sits on the House Energy and Commerce Committee and works on environmental justice and healthcare issues. She is also Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC).

MIL OSI USA News –
September 29, 2024

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