Trade Associations
Here's a look at documents from national and international trade associations
Featured Stories
Professional Accounting Coalition Expresses Strong Opposition to Draft Regulation Excluding Accounting From Professional Degree Designation
NEW YORK, Dec. 16 -- The American Institute of CPAs issued the following news release:
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Professional Accounting Coalition Expresses Strong Opposition to Draft Regulation Excluding Accounting from Professional Degree Designation
Washington, D.C. - The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA), together with eight other professional accounting organizations representing approximately 1.5 million accounting and finance professionals, sent a letter (https://www.aicpa-cima.com/resources/download/coalition-department-of-education-letter) to the U.S. Department of Education expressing strong opposition
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NEW YORK, Dec. 16 -- The American Institute of CPAs issued the following news release:
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Professional Accounting Coalition Expresses Strong Opposition to Draft Regulation Excluding Accounting from Professional Degree Designation
Washington, D.C. - The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA), together with eight other professional accounting organizations representing approximately 1.5 million accounting and finance professionals, sent a letter (https://www.aicpa-cima.com/resources/download/coalition-department-of-education-letter) to the U.S. Department of Education expressing strong oppositionto any draft regulation which would exclude accounting programs from a professional degree designation and urging that accounting programs be included as a professional degree in the proposed rule.
The Department of Education's recent proposed regulation would exclude accounting programs across the country from a professional degree designation for the purposes of graduate student loan eligibility, which will do great harm to the profession.
"Accounting is a profession. It is state licensed, built on rigorous education beyond a standard bachelor's degree, validated by the Uniform CPA Examination and governed by ethics and competency standards. Students pursuing this pathway should have equitable access to graduate level financing, consistent with other recognized professional programs that serve critical public needs," the group states in the letter.
While the group appreciates the Department's broader effort to align lending with workforce needs, it also asks that a parity approach be employed to sustain the pipeline of future accountants and protect communities and markets.
The coalition is comprised of the following organizations:
* AGA - formerly the Association of Government Accountants
* American Institute of CPAs (AICPA)
* American Accounting Association (AAA)
* Center for Audit Quality (CAQ)
* Financial Executives International (FEI)
* Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA)
* NABA, Inc.
* National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA)
* National Council of Philippine American Canadian Accountants (NCPACA)
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About the American Institute of CPAs
The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) is the world's largest member association representing the CPA profession, with 397,000 members and a history of serving the public interest since 1887. AICPA members represent many areas of practice, including business and industry, public practice, government, education, and consulting. A founding member of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, the AICPA sets ethical standards for the profession, attestation standards, and U.S. auditing standards for private companies, not-for-profit organizations, and federal, state, and local governments. It develops and grades the Uniform CPA Examination, offers specialized credentials, partners across the profession to build future talent, and drives continuing education to advance the vitality, relevance, and quality of the profession.
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Original text here: https://www.aicpa-cima.com/news/article/professional-accounting-coalition-expresses-strong-opposition-to-draft
[Category: Accounting]
National Retail Federation: Record 159 Million Consumers Expected to Shop on Super Saturday
WASHINGTON, Dec. 16 (TNSrep) -- The National Retail Federation posted the following news release on Dec. 15, 2025:
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Record 159 Million Consumers Expected to Shop on Super Saturday
An estimated 158.9 million consumers plan to shop on the last Saturday before Christmas, according to the annual survey (https://nrf.com/research-insights/holiday-data-and-trends/winter-holidays) released today by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics. The figure is up from 157.2 million shoppers last year and surpasses the previous record of 158.5 million in 2022.
"As the final Saturday
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WASHINGTON, Dec. 16 (TNSrep) -- The National Retail Federation posted the following news release on Dec. 15, 2025:
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Record 159 Million Consumers Expected to Shop on Super Saturday
An estimated 158.9 million consumers plan to shop on the last Saturday before Christmas, according to the annual survey (https://nrf.com/research-insights/holiday-data-and-trends/winter-holidays) released today by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics. The figure is up from 157.2 million shoppers last year and surpasses the previous record of 158.5 million in 2022.
"As the final Saturdaybefore Dec. 25, Super Saturday is a significant shopping event for both consumers and retailers," NRF Vice President of Industry and Consumer Insights Katherine Cullen said. "This year's event falls only five days before the Christmas holiday, and consumers will shop across retailers and channels in search of the final gifts on their lists and other holiday items they need to complete a memorable holiday season."
Super Saturday shoppers are expected to embrace multiple channels this year, with nearly half, or 71.6 million (45%), planning to shop both in-store and online, up from 69.5 million (44%) in 2024. For the remainder who are planning to shop a single channel, 46.2 million people (29%) will do so exclusively in-store, while 41.1 million (26%) will shop online only.
The top destinations where consumers plan to finish their shopping include online (46%), department stores (33%) and discount stores (26%). The top gifts shoppers have picked up so far include clothing and accessories (48%), toys (30%), gift cards (27%), books, music, movies, video games and other media (25%) and personal care or beauty items (23%).
As of early December, consumers had completed just over half (51%) of their holiday shopping on average. For those who still had more than half of their items left on their shopping lists, top reasons included that they were still trying to figure out what to buy (33%), had other financial priorities before December (25%) or were waiting for family and friends to let them know what gifts they wanted (23%).
"Along with tangible items, gifts of experience continue to be a popular choice for people looking to create memories with loved ones," Prosper Insights & Analytics Executive Vice President of Strategy Phil Rist said. "Three in 10 shoppers (31%) plan to give an experience this year, such as art classes or tickets to an event. This figure has grown in popularity over the past 10 years, when only 22% of shoppers expected to give an experience in 2015."
Looking ahead to the end of the year, 70% of consumers plan to shop the week immediately after Dec. 25. The top reasons include taking advantage of holiday sales and promotions (45%) and using gift cards (26%).
NRF defines the holiday season as Nov. 1 through Dec. 31 and has forecast that holiday spending will surpass $1 trillion for the first time with growth between 3.7% and 4.2% over 2024.
The survey of 8,005 adult consumers was conducted Dec. 1-10 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 1.1 percentage points.
As the leading authority and voice for the retail industry, NRF provides data on consumer behavior and spending for key periods such as holidays throughout the year.
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About NRF
The National Retail Federation passionately advocates for the people, brands, policies and ideas that help retail succeed. From its headquarters in Washington, D.C., NRF empowers the industry that powers the economy. Retail is the nation's largest private-sector employer, contributing $5.3 trillion to annual GDP and supporting more than one in four U.S. jobs -- 55 million working Americans. For over a century, NRF has been a voice for every retailer and every retail job, educating, inspiring and communicating the powerful impact retail has on local communities and global economies. nrf.com
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About Prosper Insights & Analytics
Prosper Insights & Analytics is a global leader in consumer intent data serving the financial services, marketing technology, and retail industries. We provide global authoritative market information on U.S. and China consumers via curated insights and analytics. By integrating a variety of data including economic, behavioral and attitudinal data, Prosper helps companies accurately predict consumers' future behavior to help identify market behaviors, optimize marketing efforts, and improve the effectiveness of demand generation campaigns. https://prosperinsights.com/
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Original text here: https://nrf.com/media-center/press-releases/a-record-159-million-consumers-expected-to-shop-on-super-saturday
[Category: Business]
National MS Society: "BTK Inhibitor" Tolebrutinib Does Not Meet Primary Endpoint in Phase 3 Trial in People With Primary Progressive MS
NEW YORK, Dec. 16 -- The National Multiple Sclerosis Society issued the following news:
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"BTK Inhibitor" Tolebrutinib Does Not Meet Primary Endpoint in Phase 3 Trial in People with Primary Progressive MS
Further Delay Expected in FDA Review for Non-Relapsing Secondary Progressive MS
Sanofi, Inc. announced that tolebrutinib (an experimental, oral BTK-inhibitor) did not meet the primary endpoint of delaying time to disability progression significantly more than placebo in the phase 3 PERSEUS study in people with primary progressive MS. These results were announced in a press release on December
... Show Full Article
NEW YORK, Dec. 16 -- The National Multiple Sclerosis Society issued the following news:
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"BTK Inhibitor" Tolebrutinib Does Not Meet Primary Endpoint in Phase 3 Trial in People with Primary Progressive MS
Further Delay Expected in FDA Review for Non-Relapsing Secondary Progressive MS
Sanofi, Inc. announced that tolebrutinib (an experimental, oral BTK-inhibitor) did not meet the primary endpoint of delaying time to disability progression significantly more than placebo in the phase 3 PERSEUS study in people with primary progressive MS. These results were announced in a press release on December15.
Based on these results, Sanofi will not pursue approval for tolebrutinib to treat primary progressive MS. Full results on safety and effectiveness will be presented at a future medical meeting.
Further Delays Expected in FDA Review
Tolebrutinib is currently under review at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for treatment of non-relapsing secondary progressive MS. In a separate press release also dated December 15, Sanofi, Inc. announced its expectation that the review process will extend beyond the previously communicated target action date of Dec. 28, 2025. The company expects further guidance from the FDA by the end of the first quarter of 2026.
About Tolebrutinib
Tolebrutinib inhibits an enzyme called "Bruton's tyrosine kinase," reducing the activation of B cells (immune cells that play a role in MS) and microglia, which have been linked to MS progression. Tolebrutinib is one of several "BTK" inhibitors being tested in the MS pipeline.
In late August, the Emirates Drug Establishment approved tolebrutinib to treat non-relapsing secondary progressive multiple sclerosis in the United Arab Emirates. The European Union is expected to reach a decision of whether to approve tolebrutinib for treatment of non-relapsing secondary progressive MS in the first quarter of 2026.
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About Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is an unpredictable disease of the central nervous system. Currently there is no cure. Symptoms vary from person to person and may include disabling fatigue, mobility challenges, cognitive changes, and vision issues. An estimated 1 million people live with MS in the United States. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical to minimize disability. Significant progress is being made to achieve a world free of MS.
About the National Multiple Sclerosis Society
The National MS Society, founded in 1946, is the global leader of a growing movement dedicated to creating a world free of MS. The Society funds cutting-edge research for a cure, drives change through advocacy and provides programs and services to help people affected by MS live their best lives. Connect to learn more and get involved: nationalmssociety.org, Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), Instagram, YouTube or 1-800-344-4867.
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Original text here: https://www.nationalmssociety.org/news-and-magazine/news/breaking-news
[Category: Health Care]
National Association of Home Builders: Builder Sentiment Inches Higher But Ends the Year in Negative Territory
WASHINGTON, Dec. 16 [Category: Real Estate] -- The National Association of Home Builders posted the following news release on Dec. 15, 2025:
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Builder Sentiment Inches Higher but Ends the Year in Negative Territory
Builder confidence inched higher to end the year but still remains well into negative territory as builders continue to grapple with rising construction costs, tariff and economic uncertainty, and many potential buyers remaining on the sidelines due to affordability concerns.
Builder confidence in the market for newly built single-family homes rose one point to 39 in December,
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WASHINGTON, Dec. 16 [Category: Real Estate] -- The National Association of Home Builders posted the following news release on Dec. 15, 2025:
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Builder Sentiment Inches Higher but Ends the Year in Negative Territory
Builder confidence inched higher to end the year but still remains well into negative territory as builders continue to grapple with rising construction costs, tariff and economic uncertainty, and many potential buyers remaining on the sidelines due to affordability concerns.
Builder confidence in the market for newly built single-family homes rose one point to 39 in December,according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) released today. Sentiment levels were below the breakeven point of 50 every month in 2025 and ranged in the high 30s in the final quarter of the year.
"Market conditions remain challenging with two-thirds of builders reporting they are offering incentives to move buyers off the fence," said NAHB Chairman Buddy Hughes, a home builder and developer from Lexington, N.C. "Meanwhile, builders are contending with rising material and labor prices, as tariffs are having serious repercussions on construction costs."
"In positive signs for the market, builders report that future sales expectations have been above the key breakeven level of 50 for the past three months and the recent easing of monetary policy should help builder loan conditions at the start of 2026," said NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz. "However, builders continue to face supply-side headwinds, as regulatory costs and material prices remain stubbornly high. Rising inventory also has increased competition for newly built homes."
In a further sign of ongoing challenges for the housing market, the latest HMI survey also revealed that 40% of builders reported cutting prices in December, marking the second consecutive month the share has been at 40% or higher since May 2020. It was 41% in November. Meanwhile, the average price reduction was 5% in December, down from the 6% rate in November. The use of sales incentives was 67% in December, the highest percentage in the post-Covid period.
Derived from a monthly survey that NAHB has been conducting for more than 40 years, the NAHB/Wells Fargo HMI gauges builder perceptions of current single-family home sales and sales expectations for the next six months as "good," "fair" or "poor." The survey also asks builders to rate traffic of prospective buyers as "high to very high," "average" or "low to very low." Scores for each component are then used to calculate a seasonally adjusted index where any number over 50 indicates that more builders view conditions as good than poor.
The HMI index gauging current sales conditions increased one point to 42, the index measuring future sales rose one point to 52 and the gauge charting traffic of prospective buyers held steady at 26.
Looking at the three-month moving averages for regional HMI scores, the Northeast fell one point to 47, the Midwest rose two points to 43, the South increased two points to 36 and the West gained four points to 34.
HMI tables can be found at nahb.org/hmi. More information on housing statistics is also available at Housing Economics PLUS.
Editor's Note: With the official 2026 release schedule for the Survey of Construction still unavailable from the U.S. Census Bureau, NAHB confirms the HMI for January 2026 will be released on January 16. A schedule for the rest of the year will be available as soon as possible.
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Original text here: https://www.nahb.org/news-and-economics/press-releases/2025/12/builder-sentiment-inches-higher-but-ends-the-year-in-negative-territory
MHA Provides Analysis Of Inpatient Post-acute Care Transfer Policy
JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri, Dec. 16 -- The Missouri Hospital Association posted the following news:
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MHA Provides Analysis Of Inpatient Post-acute Care Transfer Policy
The Missouri Hospital Association offers an analysis that estimates the effect on Medicare inpatient fee-for-service payments from the post-acute care transfer adjustment for federal fiscal years 2021 through 2026. Hospitals that transfer a Medicare beneficiary to a post-acute care provider can incur a payment reduction if the inpatient length of stay is less than the geometric mean.
This analysis includes the estimated payment
... Show Full Article
JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri, Dec. 16 -- The Missouri Hospital Association posted the following news:
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MHA Provides Analysis Of Inpatient Post-acute Care Transfer Policy
The Missouri Hospital Association offers an analysis that estimates the effect on Medicare inpatient fee-for-service payments from the post-acute care transfer adjustment for federal fiscal years 2021 through 2026. Hospitals that transfer a Medicare beneficiary to a post-acute care provider can incur a payment reduction if the inpatient length of stay is less than the geometric mean.
This analysis includes the estimated paymentreduction by discharge setting, including skilled nursing facilities, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, long-term care hospitals, inpatient psychiatric facilities, cancer and children's hospitals, hospice and home health. Policy and analytic studies, prepared for distribution by the Hospital Industry Data Institute, are available for download to authorized users of HIDI Advantage (https://secure.hidiadvantage.net/).
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About Missouri Hospital Association
The Missouri Hospital Association is a nonprofit association in Jefferson City that represents 136 Missouri hospitals. In addition to representation and advocacy on behalf of its membership, the association offers continuing education programs on current health care topics and seeks to educate the public about health care issues.
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Original text here: https://www.mohospitals.org/newsroom/mha-provides-analysis-of-inpatient-post-acute-care-transfer-policy
[Category: Health Care]
CMS Innovation Center Announces ELEVATE Model
JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri, Dec. 16 -- The Missouri Hospital Association posted the following news:
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CMS Innovation Center Announces ELEVATE Model
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Innovation Center announced a new model that will provide approximately $100 million to fund three-year cooperative agreements to promote health and prevention for Original Medicare beneficiaries.
The Enhancing Lifestyle and Evaluating Value-based Approaches Through Evidence Model "will utilize evidence-based, whole-person care approaches -- including functional or lifestyle medicine interventions --
... Show Full Article
JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri, Dec. 16 -- The Missouri Hospital Association posted the following news:
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CMS Innovation Center Announces ELEVATE Model
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Innovation Center announced a new model that will provide approximately $100 million to fund three-year cooperative agreements to promote health and prevention for Original Medicare beneficiaries.
The Enhancing Lifestyle and Evaluating Value-based Approaches Through Evidence Model "will utilize evidence-based, whole-person care approaches -- including functional or lifestyle medicine interventions --currently not covered by Original Medicare."
CMS will release a Notice of Funding Opportunity for this model in early 2026.
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About Missouri Hospital Association
The Missouri Hospital Association is a nonprofit association in Jefferson City that represents 136 Missouri hospitals. In addition to representation and advocacy on behalf of its membership, the association offers continuing education programs on current health care topics and seeks to educate the public about health care issues.
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Original text here: https://www.mohospitals.org/newsroom/cms-innovation-center-announces-elevate-model
[Category: Health Care]
CMA Applauds Launch of California-led Initiative to Protect and Improve Public Health
SACRAMENTO, California, Dec. 16 -- The California Medical Association issued the following statement on Dec. 15, 2025:
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CMA applauds launch of California-led initiative to protect and improve public health
California Medical Association (CMA) President Rene Bravo, M.D., issued the following statement on Governor Gavin Newsom's formation of the California-led Public Health Network Innovation Exchange (PHNIX) to modernize public health infrastructure and coordinate data sharing among states:
"Today's announcement by Governor Newsom to establish the Public Health Network Innovation Exchange
... Show Full Article
SACRAMENTO, California, Dec. 16 -- The California Medical Association issued the following statement on Dec. 15, 2025:
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CMA applauds launch of California-led initiative to protect and improve public health
California Medical Association (CMA) President Rene Bravo, M.D., issued the following statement on Governor Gavin Newsom's formation of the California-led Public Health Network Innovation Exchange (PHNIX) to modernize public health infrastructure and coordinate data sharing among states:
"Today's announcement by Governor Newsom to establish the Public Health Network Innovation Exchangeis a bold, necessary and timely initiative to ensure California is able to respond to emerging health threats. PHNIX's commitment to science-based decision making and data sharing will strengthen trust in scientific data and help protect the health of all Californians.
"Recent disruptions in national public health leadership and infrastructure have underscored the need for reliable systems that can rapidly detect and respond to threats. By convening experienced public health leaders and fostering cross-state collaboration, California is closing the gaps created by the Trump administration's dismantling of our federal public health system.
"CMA has long championed policies that uphold scientific integrity, support clinicians with reliable data, and protect the communities we serve. We applaud the Governor for launching PHNIX and look forward to partnering with state leaders and public health stakeholders to support initiatives that strengthen our public health system and improve health outcomes for patients across California."
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Original text here: https://www.cmadocs.org/newsroom/news/view/ArticleId/51085/CMA-applauds-launch-of-California-led-initiative-to-protect-and-improve-public-health-infrastructure
[Category: Medical]
