Trade Associations
Here's a look at documents from national and international trade associations
Featured Stories
Who Faces More Difficulty Recovering From Stroke?
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota, Dec. 19 -- The American Academy of Neurology issued the following news release:
* * *
Who faces more difficulty recovering from stroke?
Highlights
* A new study has found that within the year following a stroke, female participants had more difficulty than male participants with doing daily tasks.
* Daily tasks include eating, dressing, driving and cooking.
* The differences remained even after considering age, education and insurance.
* The study authors suggest that early and repeated checks on daily abilities after stroke, especially for female individuals, could
... Show Full Article
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota, Dec. 19 -- The American Academy of Neurology issued the following news release:
* * *
Who faces more difficulty recovering from stroke?
Highlights
* A new study has found that within the year following a stroke, female participants had more difficulty than male participants with doing daily tasks.
* Daily tasks include eating, dressing, driving and cooking.
* The differences remained even after considering age, education and insurance.
* The study authors suggest that early and repeated checks on daily abilities after stroke, especially for female individuals, couldhelp improve recovery.
*
When examining recovery during the first year after an ischemic stroke, a new study has found for daily tasks such as eating, dressing and driving, female participants experienced slightly worse recovery than male participants. The study was published December 17, 2025, in Neurology(R), the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. Ischemic stroke, the most common type of stroke, is when blood flow is blocked to part of the brain.
"Stroke is a leading cause of disability in the U.S. and with the aging population, the number of stroke survivors is growing," said study author Chen Chen, PhD, of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. "Since many people live with physical, cognitive and emotional challenges after stroke, it is important to find ways to improve recovery. Our study provides a better understanding of sex differences during stroke recovery."
For the study, researchers identified 1,046 people who experienced their first ischemic stroke. Participants had an average age of 66. Researchers reviewed medical records and participant interviews to track their recovery at three, six and 12 months after stroke. Participants were given neurological assessments, cognitive tests and completed questionnaires about their quality of life.
Participants were also assessed on how well they completed daily tasks, both simple and more complex, such as walking, bathing, cooking and doing housework. A score of two indicated some difficulty completing daily tasks. A score of three indicated a lot of difficulty.
For daily tasks, female participants had higher average scores than male participants indicating poorer recovery at three, six and 12 months after stroke. For example, female participants had an average score of 2.39 and male participants had an average score of 2.04 at three months.
Scores for female participants, but not male participants, decreased from three to 12 months, indicating some improvement.
After adjusting for factors such as age, race and ethnicity, education and insurance status, researchers found female participants' average scores were higher by 0.13, 0.10 and 0.09 at three, six and 12 months, indicating poorer recovery than male participants. Chen noted the effect size was small.
While there were no sex differences in other areas of recovery, both sexes experienced improvement in neurological function, which includes communicating and performing simple movements.
"Our results suggest that early and repeated assessments of a person's ability to do daily tasks after stroke are needed, and particularly for female individuals, in order to reduce these differences in recovery," said Chen. "When developing new interventions, these recovery patterns should be considered. Since the differences were mainly in activities such as doing heavy housework, shopping and carrying heavy weights, new interventions could include muscle-strengthening activities."
A limitation of the study was that researchers did not have data on participants' use of rehabilitation services, so they were unable to evaluate the potential impact.
The study was supported by the National Institutes of Health.
Discover more about stroke at BrainandLife.org, from the American Academy of Neurology. This resource also offers a magazine, podcast, and books that connect patients, caregivers and anyone interested in brain health with the most trusted information, straight from the world's leading experts in brain health. Follow Brain & Life(R) on Facebook, X and Instagram.
* * *
The American Academy of Neurology is the leading voice in brain health. As the world's largest association of neurologists and neuroscience professionals with more than 40,000 members, the AAN provides access to the latest news, science and research affecting neurology for patients, caregivers, physicians and professionals alike. The AAN's mission is to enhance member career fulfillment and promote brain health for all. A neurologist is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, care and treatment of brain, spinal cord and nervous system diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, stroke, concussion, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, headache and migraine.
Explore the latest in neurological disease and brain health, from the minds at the AAN at AAN.com or find us on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.aan.com/PressRoom/Home/PressRelease/5303
[Category: Medical]
INCOMPAS CEO Issues Statement on the Supporting U.S. Critical Connectivity and Economic Strategy and Security for BEAD Act
WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- INCOMPAS issued the following news release:
* * *
INCOMPAS CEO Issues Statement on the Supporting U.S. Critical Connectivity and Economic Strategy and Security for BEAD Act
INCOMPAS, the competitive communications and AI infrastructure association, released the following statement in response to Senator Roger Wicker and Senator Shelley Moore Capito's introduction of the Supporting U.S. Critical Connectivity and Economic Strategy and Security (SUCCESS) for BEAD Act.
The following statement can be attributed to Chip Pickering, CEO at INCOMPAS:
"I applaud Senator Wicker
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- INCOMPAS issued the following news release:
* * *
INCOMPAS CEO Issues Statement on the Supporting U.S. Critical Connectivity and Economic Strategy and Security for BEAD Act
INCOMPAS, the competitive communications and AI infrastructure association, released the following statement in response to Senator Roger Wicker and Senator Shelley Moore Capito's introduction of the Supporting U.S. Critical Connectivity and Economic Strategy and Security (SUCCESS) for BEAD Act.
The following statement can be attributed to Chip Pickering, CEO at INCOMPAS:
"I applaud Senator Wickerand Senator Capito for their visionary leadership in introducing the SUCCESS for BEAD Act. This legislation directly addresses America's urgent need to outpace global competitors, such as China, in the critical AI race. By taking decisive action to ensure American leadership and strategically directing remaining BEAD funds towards the infrastructure that will power our AI future, Senators Wicker and Capito recognize what INCOMPAS members understand from building networks every day: the AI race and the broadband race are inseparable. From subsea cable systems to wholesale fiber and internet exchange points, this AI-enabling infrastructure is laying the foundation for future AI deployment and scaling.
The SUCCESS for BEAD Act represents a powerful use of funding that is consistent with the administration's AI executive order and is critical to promoting and incentivizing a national AI framework, workforce and innovative state AI initiatives. The bill's strategic vision creates AI connectors and corridors that will not only help bridge national security priorities, but also link strategic research centers, military installations, national laboratories, and major hubs of data centers and energy that will power the future of the American economy--many of which will be located in rural and remote sections of the country.
With the connection of data center and energy hubs, we anticipate a resurgence of advanced manufacturing at the intersection of telecommunications and AI infrastructure. This convergence will not only strengthen our digital backbone but also revitalize American manufacturing capabilities essential to our economic competitiveness.
I'm especially encouraged by the bill's comprehensive approach to infrastructure readiness. By directing resources toward training programs in telecommunications, AI, cybersecurity, and electrical distribution sectors, the SUCCESS for BEAD Act addresses the critical challenge of finding qualified workers to build and maintain next-generation infrastructure. Equally important, the bill recognizes that this infrastructure must serve our nation's most vital needs through support for Next Generation 9-1-1 implementation and network hardening, ensuring that our communications systems advance both economic competitiveness and national security imperatives.
Expanding broadband access, building AI-ready infrastructure and workforce are not competing goals, they are mutually reinforcing priorities and essential to maintaining America's competitive edge in both the present and future."
* * *
Original text here: https://incompas.org/news-post/incompas-ceo-issues-statement-on-the-supporting-u-s-critical-connectivity-and-economic-strategy-and-security-for-bead-act/
[Category: Telecommunications]
ELFA Joins Coalition of Associations in Comment Letter to CFPB on Proposed Revisions to Equal Credit Opportunity Act
WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association issued the following news release:
* * *
ELFA Joins Coalition of Associations in Comment Letter to CFPB on Proposed Revisions to Equal Credit Opportunity Act
The Equipment Leasing & Finance Association (ELFA), the trade association representing the $1.3 trillion equipment finance industry, joined with five national trade associations to submit a comment letter to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) on proposed revisions to Regulation B, specifically the small business lending rule under the Equal Credit Opportunity
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association issued the following news release:
* * *
ELFA Joins Coalition of Associations in Comment Letter to CFPB on Proposed Revisions to Equal Credit Opportunity Act
The Equipment Leasing & Finance Association (ELFA), the trade association representing the $1.3 trillion equipment finance industry, joined with five national trade associations to submit a comment letter to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) on proposed revisions to Regulation B, specifically the small business lending rule under the Equal Credit OpportunityAct (ECOA). The co-signatories are America's Credit Unions, Association of Equipment Manufacturers, Consumer Bankers Association, Innovative Lending Platform Association and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
"ELFA has worked closely with the CFPB for more than a decade to ensure that its rulemaking achieves its intended protections without putting undue regulatory burdens on our industry and the wider U.S. business community," said ELFA President & CEO Leigh Lytle. "We appreciate the support of our trade association partners in our efforts commenting on the rulemaking, and stand ready to engage further to ensure that the final rule meets statutory objectives without unintended consequences for small business credit access."
The comment letter (https://www.elfaonline.org/getContentAsset/dcc51849-9311-4914-9a4e-82ea91f40870/141d77fc-2e06-49eb-b14c-2ff58f5ce730/CFPB-CommentLtr_121825.pdf?language=en-US) commends the CFPB on its proposal to promote fair access for small businesses, including those owned by women and minorities, while reducing unnecessary complexity and compliance burdens that could otherwise restrict credit availability. The provisions include:
* Narrowing the revenue threshold from $5 million to $1 million to recognize the smallest enterprises--those most vulnerable to credit barriers and most critical to local economic growth.
* Focusing on data points specified by Congress and eliminating unnecessary reporting fields to strike the right balance between transparency and operational feasibility.
The associations' comment letter also provides recommendations to the CFPB on provisions related to:
* Vendor-dealer, indirect lending and broker-facilitated transactions
* Compliance threshold and lookback period
* Private label and point-of-sale credit
* * *
About ELFA
The Equipment Leasing & Finance Association (ELFA) represents financial services companies and manufacturers in the $1.3 trillion U.S. equipment finance sector. ELFA's over 600 member companies provide essential financing that helps businesses acquire the equipment they need to operate and grow. Learn how equipment finance contributes to businesses' success, U.S. economic growth, manufacturing and jobs at www.elfaonline.org.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.elfaonline.org/newsroom/elfa-joins-coalition-of-associations-in-comment-letter-to-cfpb-on-proposed-revisions-to-ecoa
[Category: Facilities Management]
EEI Statement on House Passage of the SPEED Act
WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- The Edison Electric Institute issued the following news release on Dec. 18, 2025:
* * *
EEI Statement on House Passage of the SPEED Act
Edison Electric Institute (EEI) President and CEO Drew Maloney today issued the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act:
"The House passage of the Speed Act is an important first step toward cutting red tape, lowering customer costs, and delivering reliable, affordable electricity to American families and businesses. At a time of unprecedented
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- The Edison Electric Institute issued the following news release on Dec. 18, 2025:
* * *
EEI Statement on House Passage of the SPEED Act
Edison Electric Institute (EEI) President and CEO Drew Maloney today issued the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act:
"The House passage of the Speed Act is an important first step toward cutting red tape, lowering customer costs, and delivering reliable, affordable electricity to American families and businesses. At a time of unprecedentedelectricity demand, our outdated permitting processes can no longer stand in the way of unleashing American energy dominance. We value Chairman Westerman's leadership and urge the Senate to take the next step on this common-sense legislation that will help provide relief for customers and support the energy infrastructure that powers the American economy."
"We will also continue to work to make America's permitting system more predictable and more durable for all forms of energy, and to bring more electrons on the grid. We look forward to working with lawmakers on practical, bipartisan solutions to ensure that America's most important machine--the energy grid--works reliably every day for families, businesses, and local communities."
* * *
About EEI
EEI is the association that represents all U.S. investor-owned electric companies. Our members provide safe, reliable electricity for nearly 250 million Americans, and operate in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Collectively, the electric power industry supports more than 7 million jobs in communities across the United States and drives economic growth and prosperity. EEI also includes hundreds of industry suppliers and related organizations as Associate Members.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.eei.org/News/news/All/eei-statement-on-house-passage-of-the-speed-act
[Category: Energy]
EEI Podcast: Powering Data Centers While Delivering Value to All Customers
WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- The Edison Electric Institute issued the following news release on Dec. 18, 2025:
* * *
New EEI Podcast: Powering Data Centers While Delivering Value to All Customers
Entergy Mississippi and Amazon Web Services Leaders Discuss Partnership That Drives Investments, Delivers Meaningful Community Benefits, and Enhances the Grid
*
The Edison Electric Institute (EEI) today released a new episode of its Electric Perspectives podcast featuring Entergy Mississippi President and CEO Haley Fisackerly and Amazon Web Services (AWS) Head of Energy and Water for the Americas Brandon
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- The Edison Electric Institute issued the following news release on Dec. 18, 2025:
* * *
New EEI Podcast: Powering Data Centers While Delivering Value to All Customers
Entergy Mississippi and Amazon Web Services Leaders Discuss Partnership That Drives Investments, Delivers Meaningful Community Benefits, and Enhances the Grid
*
The Edison Electric Institute (EEI) today released a new episode of its Electric Perspectives podcast featuring Entergy Mississippi President and CEO Haley Fisackerly and Amazon Web Services (AWS) Head of Energy and Water for the Americas BrandonOyer. EEI President and CEO Drew Maloney opens the episode by highlighting how electric companies are collaborating with data centers and hyperscalers to support innovation and ensure these large customers pay their fair share for America's energy grid.
Fisackerly and Oyer discuss how electric companies and large-load customers like Amazon are working together to deliver clear benefits to the grid and existing customers while strengthening reliability. The episode also highlights a new Energy and Environmental Economics (E3) study examining electricity rate design and tariffs for large loads like data centers, based on real-world case studies from Amazon's partnerships with electric companies.
In the episode, Fisackerly, Maloney, and Oyer reflected on:
* Partnerships: "Data centers are critical infrastructure for our nation's economy and our national security. Electric companies are working closely with our technology partners to ensure these facilities improve the grid and benefit all customers," said Maloney. "We are seeing examples of this win-win situation across the country. One example is the partnership between Amazon and Entergy Mississippi, and their collaboration to deliver value for customers and their communities while positioning the grid for the future."
* Enhancing the grid: "We had a $600 million capital plan already planned to improve our grid. Because of the new revenues coming in from AWS, we're going to be able to increase that by more than 50 percent--spending another $300 million on our reliability plan," said Fisackerly. "All of this will bring huge value. Because of AWS, we were able to pull a lot of those investments forward and improve reliability. We have a 50-percent reduction in outages with a 50-percent increase in spending, with no cost to customers. This is exciting, transformative, and it will make a difference in the lives of our customers and the communities we serve."
* Strengthening the economy: "In Madison County, Mississippi, we're investing $10 billion to build two data center campuses, creating at least 1,000 full-time jobs. In Warren County, Mississippi, we're investing $3 billion--the largest private investment in the county's history. We're creating another 200 jobs at that data center campus while supporting 300 additional jobs in and around the community," said Oyer. "Combined, these investments will support an estimated 3,000 jobs to bring these data center campuses to life and add $3.9 billion to Mississippi's GDP."
* Protecting existing customers: "[The E3 study] found that Amazon's investments are enabling companies to make investments in the broader grid. Historically, customers would have to pay for this, but now that large load is coming along, these bigger customers are able to absorb that cost," said Oyer. "These crucial investments in grid infrastructure do everything from meeting immediate needs to supporting local residents to driving commercial growth while improving reliability."
* Benefits of cooperation: "What we're able to do with Amazon is bring in this large customer with all the other benefits that Brandon discussed: new jobs and huge capital investments that are allowing us to make meaningful investments and improve the grid serving all of our customers," said Fisackerly. "We're also seeing them pay the full freight of their costs. We're having to make upgrades to the transmission system that improves import capabilities that benefit everyone, and they're paying those incremental costs."
Click here (https://www.electricperspectives.com/podcast-data-centers-customer-benefits/preview/73418d2caba88b696e5e5b9850d3e0d0a68b725a) to listen to the full podcast, and explore our latest episodes below:
* Powering Data Centers in the Age of AI - featuring Ed Baine, executive vice president of Utility Operations and president of Dominion Energy Virginia, and Martin Hermann, CEO of BrightNight
* Why Permitting Reform Matters for America's Energy Future - featuring EEI President and CEO Drew Maloney and President of ITC Holdings Krista Tanner
* Scaling AI in the Energy Industry - featuring Arizona Public Service Chief Information Officer Michelle Ferrara and Bidgely Chief Growth Officer Karthik Moorthy
* Building America's Energy Workforce - featuring FirstEnergy Pennsylvania President John Hawkins, Center for Energy Workforce Development Executive Director Missy Henriksen, and EEI President and CEO Drew Maloney
The Electric Perspectives podcast discusses the latest trends and issues shaping the electric power industry. Each episode features an interview with guests including leaders from EEI and our member companies, government and industry partners, and energy thought leaders and experts. Click here to listen to more episodes and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.
* * *
About EEI
EEI is the association that represents all U.S. investor-owned electric companies. Our members provide safe, reliable electricity for nearly 250 million Americans, and operate in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Collectively, the electric power industry supports more than 7 million jobs in communities across the United States and drives economic growth and prosperity. EEI also includes hundreds of industry suppliers and related organizations as Associate Members.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.eei.org/News/news/All/new-eei-podcast-powering-data-centers-while-delivering-value-to-all-customers
[Category: Energy]
CMA Warns Federal Cuts to American Academy of Pediatrics Undermine Children's Health
SACRAMENTO, California, Dec. 19 -- The California Medical Association issued the following statement on Dec. 18, 2025:
* * *
CMA warns federal cuts to American Academy of Pediatrics undermine children's health
California Medical Association (CMA) President and pediatrician Rene Bravo, M.D., issued the following statement following the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' decision to terminate grant funding for the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP):
"As a pediatrician, I am deeply concerned by the federal government's decision to terminate critical funding for the American Academy
... Show Full Article
SACRAMENTO, California, Dec. 19 -- The California Medical Association issued the following statement on Dec. 18, 2025:
* * *
CMA warns federal cuts to American Academy of Pediatrics undermine children's health
California Medical Association (CMA) President and pediatrician Rene Bravo, M.D., issued the following statement following the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' decision to terminate grant funding for the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP):
"As a pediatrician, I am deeply concerned by the federal government's decision to terminate critical funding for the American Academyof Pediatrics. These grants supported essential, evidence-based work to prevent sudden infant death, identify autism early, improve adolescent and mental health, and strengthen care for children and families nationwide. CMA stands with the AAP in urging federal leaders to reconsider actions that risk weakening the public health infrastructure children depend on. Decisions affecting child health must be guided by science, medical expertise, and the best interests of patients, not politics."
* * *
Original text here: https://www.cmadocs.org/newsroom/news/view/ArticleId/51092/CMA-warns-federal-cuts-to-American-Academy-of-Pediatrics-undermine-children-39-s-health
[Category: Medical]
CHPA Applauds Introduction of Bill to Accelerate OTC Innovation
WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- The Consumer Healthcare Products Association issued the following statement on Dec. 18, 2025:
* * *
CHPA Applauds Introduction of Bill to Accelerate OTC Innovation
The Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) today released the below statement following Representative Greg Landsman's (D-OH-01) introduction of the ACCESS Through OTC Innovation Act, legislation to clarify the Generally Recognized As Safe and Effective (GRASE) standard under the Over-the-counter (OTC) Monograph System to expand American families' access to updated, improved, and modernized self-care
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- The Consumer Healthcare Products Association issued the following statement on Dec. 18, 2025:
* * *
CHPA Applauds Introduction of Bill to Accelerate OTC Innovation
The Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) today released the below statement following Representative Greg Landsman's (D-OH-01) introduction of the ACCESS Through OTC Innovation Act, legislation to clarify the Generally Recognized As Safe and Effective (GRASE) standard under the Over-the-counter (OTC) Monograph System to expand American families' access to updated, improved, and modernized self-careproducts.
"OTC medicines are the first line of care for most American families," said CHPA President & CEO Scott Melville. "When Congress created the OTC Monograph Drug User Fee Program (OMUFA), it was intended to support timely innovation for self-care products. While the program was recently reauthorized for another five years to continue that work, uncertainty around how the FDA applies the GRASE standard has prevented the system from reaching its full potential, slowing innovation to products with well-established ingredients and leaving families with fewer choices.
"The ACCESS Through OTC Innovation Act would restore clarity by reaffirming the GRASE standard and establishing a process to clarify what data is needed early on, so the review process is realigned with the way Congress intended the system to work. This legislation is an important step toward expanding access to safe, effective, and modern OTC self-care options for American families. We applaud Congressman Landsman for his leadership and dedication to empowering consumers and strengthening the role of self-care in America's health system."
Background: Why Clarifying GRASE Matters for Consumers
OTC medicines help American families treat common, self-manageable conditions safely, affordably, and without the need for a doctor's visit. In 2020, when Congress modernized the OTC Monograph System through OMUFA, it created a more efficient framework intended to support innovation while maintaining strong safety and effectiveness standards. Congress recently reauthorized OMUFA for another five years to continue this work.
Although FDA recently issued its first Over-the-Counter Monograph Order (OMOR) for sunscreens, an important milestone under the modernized system, consumers have yet to see the broader, consistent innovation Congress intended across the OTC marketplace.
At its core, the problem is a lack of clarity and consistency in how FDA applies the GRASE standard, leaving the very pathway Congress created under OMUFA effectively unusable. These shifting expectations make it extremely challenging for manufacturers to update existing products, introduce modern uses for trusted ingredients, or bring forward innovations that would benefit families.
The ACCESS Through OTC Innovation Act addresses this challenge by reaffirming Congress's intent for a clear, consistent GRASE standard, establishing a process to clarify what data is needed early on for an OTC Monograph Order Request, and restoring a predictable pathway for OTC innovation. By clarifying how the modernized OTC system is meant to function, the bill helps ensure safe, effective, and affordable OTC products can reach consumers more efficiently, strengthening self-care, expanding choice, and supporting access to everyday health solutions families rely on.
* * *
The Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA), founded in 1881, is the national trade association representing the leading manufacturers and marketers of consumer healthcare products, including over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, dietary supplements, and OTC medical devices. CHPA is committed to empowering self-care by ensuring that Americans have access to products they can count on to be reliable, affordable, and convenient, while also delivering new and better ways to get and stay healthy. Visit www.chpa.org.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.chpa.org/news/2025/12/chpa-applauds-introduction-bill-accelerate-otc-innovation
[Category: Health Care]
