Public Policy & NGOs
Here's a look at documents from public policy and non-governmental organizations
Featured Stories
Whitehead Institute: New Insights Into a Hidden Process That Protects Cells From Harmful Mutations
CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts, Feb. 14 (TNSjou) -- The Whitehead Institute issued the following news on Feb. 13, 2026:
* * *
New insights into a hidden process that protects cells from harmful mutations
Written by Shafaq Zia
Some genetic mutations that are expected to completely stop a gene from working surprisingly cause only mild or even no symptoms. Researchers in previous studies have discovered one reason why: cells can ramp up the activity of other genes that perform similar functions to make up for the loss of an important gene's function. A new study, published Feb. 12 in the journal Science,
... Show Full Article
CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts, Feb. 14 (TNSjou) -- The Whitehead Institute issued the following news on Feb. 13, 2026:
* * *
New insights into a hidden process that protects cells from harmful mutations
Written by Shafaq Zia
Some genetic mutations that are expected to completely stop a gene from working surprisingly cause only mild or even no symptoms. Researchers in previous studies have discovered one reason why: cells can ramp up the activity of other genes that perform similar functions to make up for the loss of an important gene's function. A new study, published Feb. 12 in the journal Science,from the lab of Whitehead Institute Member Jonathan Weissman now reveals insights into how cells can coordinate this compensation response.
Cells are constantly reading instructions stored in DNA. These instructions, called genes, tell them how to make the many proteins that carry out complex processes needed to sustain life. But first, they need to make a temporary copy of these genetic instructions called messenger RNA, or mRNA.
As part of normal maintenance, cells routinely break down these temporary messages. This process helps control gene activity -- or how much protein is made from a given gene -- and ensures that old or unnecessary messages don't accumulate. Cells also destroy faulty mRNAs that contain errors. These messages, if used, could produce damaged proteins that clump together and interfere with normal cellular processes.
In 2019, external studies suggested that this cleanup could be serving as more than just a quality-control check. The researchers showed that when faulty mRNAs are broken down, this breakdown can signal cells to activate the compensation response. These works also suggested that cells decide which backup genes to turn up based on how closely these genes resemble the mRNA that's being degraded.
But mRNA decay is a process that happens in the cytoplasm, outside the nucleus where DNA, and thereby genes, are stored. So, Mohamed El-Brolosy, a postdoc in the Weissman Lab and lead author of the study, and colleagues wondered how those two processes in different compartments of the cell could be connected. Understanding this mechanism with greater depth could enable development of therapeutics that trigger it in a targeted fashion.
The researchers started by investigating a specific gene that scientists know triggers a compensation response when its mRNA is destroyed by causing a closely related gene to become more active. To find out which molecules within the cell aid this process, the researchers systematically switched other genes off, one at a time.
That's when they found a protein called ILF3. When the gene encoding this protein was turned off, cells could no longer ramp up the activity of the backup gene following mRNA decay.
Upon further investigation, the researchers identified small RNA fragments -- left behind when faulty mRNAs are destroyed -- underlying this response. These fragments contain a special sequence that acts like an "address". The team proposed that this address guides ILF3 to related backup genes that share the same sequence as the faulty mRNA.
In fact, when they introduced mutations in this sequence, the cells' compensation response dropped, suggesting that the system relies on precise sequence matching to target the correct backup genes.
"That was very exciting for us," says Weissman, who is also a professor of biology at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and an investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI). "It showed us that this isn't a generic stress response. It's a regulated system."
The researchers' findings point toward new therapeutic possibilities, where boosting the activity of a related gene could mitigate symptoms of certain genetic diseases. More broadly, their work characterizes a mysterious layer of gene regulation.
* * *
Notes
El-Brolosy, M. A., et al. (2026). Mechanisms linking cytoplasmic decay of translation-defective mRNA to transcriptional adaptation. Science, 391, eaea1272. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aea1272
* * *
Original text here: https://wi.mit.edu/news/new-insights-hidden-process-protects-cells-harmful-mutations
[Category: Healthcare]
National Taxpayers Union: Taxpayers Group - President Trump and Congress Must Act Now on Debt Crisis
ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Feb. 14 -- The National Taxpayers Union issued the following news release on Feb. 13, 2026:
* * *
Taxpayers Group: President Trump and Congress Must Act Now on Debt Crisis
Debt and interest payments are consuming historically huge portions of the federal budget, and President Donald Trump and Congress cannot afford to ignore the problem, National Taxpayers Union President Pete Sepp said Friday.
Federal deficits will grow from 101% of the economy at $1.9 trillion this year to roughly 120% or $3.1 trillion by 2036, according to the latest 10-year outlook from the Congressional
... Show Full Article
ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Feb. 14 -- The National Taxpayers Union issued the following news release on Feb. 13, 2026:
* * *
Taxpayers Group: President Trump and Congress Must Act Now on Debt Crisis
Debt and interest payments are consuming historically huge portions of the federal budget, and President Donald Trump and Congress cannot afford to ignore the problem, National Taxpayers Union President Pete Sepp said Friday.
Federal deficits will grow from 101% of the economy at $1.9 trillion this year to roughly 120% or $3.1 trillion by 2036, according to the latest 10-year outlook from the CongressionalBudget Office.
Because of that, interest payments on the national debt will continue to swell, consuming an ever-larger share of federal tax dollars.
The result for the American people will be higher interest rates as debt crowds out private investment. Further impacts include dramatically increased costs for past government spending, and drastic austerity measures on social services like Medicare, Social Security, and Medicaid.
"Paying for past borrowing is already increasing the cost of living for Americans today," Sepp said. "The problem compounds by the day. Congress and the President must act to address these structural spending problems before mid-term elections this year."
A recent poll conducted by Public Opinion Strategies in partnership with NTU found that 89% of registered voters believe the U.S. is facing an affordability crisis, while 88% say the $37 trillion national debt will eventually have a real impact on them and their families. When asked how best to reduce the debt, 54% pointed to cutting government spending.
"Americans await leadership to identify real and salient solutions to these spending problems," Sepp said. "They know we cannot afford to keep racking up debt on the nation's credit card while making interest-only payments anymore."
The CBO outlook also shows demographic pressures intensifying as Baby Boomers age and the number of Social Security recipients rises substantially, accelerating alongside health care spending. Meanwhile, economic growth is projected to remain modest.
"The challenge is not temporary spending spikes or short-term economic conditions," Sepp said. "The yawning mismatch between long-term commitments and the resources available to finance them grows wider every year. The time to act is now."
National Taxpayers Union is the only free-market organization for taxpayers that unites effective advocacy with useful research about how to limit taxes, spending, and regulation at every level and branch of government--state, federal, administrative, and judicial.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.ntu.org/publications/detail/taxpayers-group-president-trump-and-congress-must-act-now-on-debt-crisis
[Category: Political]
NTI's First Asian Nuclear Security Dialogue Advances Action Plans for Regional Cooperation
WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- The Nuclear Threat Initiative issued the following news on Feb. 13, 2026:
* * *
NTI's First Asian Nuclear Security Dialogue Advances Action Plans for Regional Cooperation
Government officials and experts from a dozen countries gathered in Osaka, Japan for the first NTI Asian Nuclear Security Dialogue from February 2-4, 2026, to chart practical steps for strengthening nuclear security across Asia. The dialogue highlighted the importance of translating ideas into implementable actions, amid an evolving regional nuclear security landscape that includes rapidly evolving risks
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- The Nuclear Threat Initiative issued the following news on Feb. 13, 2026:
* * *
NTI's First Asian Nuclear Security Dialogue Advances Action Plans for Regional Cooperation
Government officials and experts from a dozen countries gathered in Osaka, Japan for the first NTI Asian Nuclear Security Dialogue from February 2-4, 2026, to chart practical steps for strengthening nuclear security across Asia. The dialogue highlighted the importance of translating ideas into implementable actions, amid an evolving regional nuclear security landscape that includes rapidly evolving risksand growing interest in nuclear energy. NTI convened the dialogue in partnership with the Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies and the Japan Institute of International Affairs, and with generous support from the United Kingdom's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and the Peterson Foundation.
During the discussions, regulators, diplomats, military leaders, and practitioners identified opportunities for cooperation to address emerging risks and developed concrete action plans tailored to the diversity of regulatory capacities, threat perceptions, and technological environments across the region. Participants proposed actions ranging from leveraging the Association of Southeast Asian Nations as a forum for nuclear security information sharing and confidence building, to convening a summit of nuclear security centers of excellence, to developing a tabletop exercise for regional practitioners that simulates cross-border crisis communication. Participants also explored regional approaches to improving global nuclear security efforts, which included strengthening implementation of the Amended Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and using regional organizations to promote transparency, accountability, and sustained political attention to nuclear security globally.
The dialogue created a much-needed forum to address regional and subregional priorities, opportunities, and challenges that all require an approach that balances international best practices with the realities of geography, politics, and level of technological maturity. Participants emphasized the importance of such flexibility in the context of rapid nuclear energy expansion, the proliferation of emerging technologies, and complex geopolitical dynamics.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.nti.org/news/ntis-first-asian-nuclear-security-dialogue-advances-action-plans-for-regional-cooperation/
[Category: National Defense]
Job Creators Network Statement on January CPI
ADDISON, Texas, Feb. 14 -- Job Creators Network issued the following statement on Feb. 13, 2026:
* * *
Job Creators Network Statement on January CPI
Washington, D.C. (February 13, 2026)--New data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics finds that the consumer price index, a carefully monitored measure of inflation, rose by 2.4 percent in January compared to the same month in 2025. That's down from the 2.7 percent year-over-year rate in December. Alfredo Ortiz, CEO of Job Creators Network (JCN), released the following statement:
"Thanks to pro-growth policies like deregulation and an emphasis
... Show Full Article
ADDISON, Texas, Feb. 14 -- Job Creators Network issued the following statement on Feb. 13, 2026:
* * *
Job Creators Network Statement on January CPI
Washington, D.C. (February 13, 2026)--New data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics finds that the consumer price index, a carefully monitored measure of inflation, rose by 2.4 percent in January compared to the same month in 2025. That's down from the 2.7 percent year-over-year rate in December. Alfredo Ortiz, CEO of Job Creators Network (JCN), released the following statement:
"Thanks to pro-growth policies like deregulation and an emphasison lowering energy costs, the U.S. economy is headed in the right direction as the midterm elections inch closer. Inflation is cooling as real wages rise, which is helping to remedy the affordability pinch felt by too many American families. When combined with financial relief from the Working Families Tax Cuts, President Trump and congressional Republicans are setting the stage for an economic golden age."
* * *
Original text here: https://www.jobcreatorsnetwork.com/press_releases/job-creators-network-statement-on-january-cpi/
[Category: Human Resources/Personnel]
Institute for Clinical and Economic Review Publishes Final Evidence Report on Medication for Smoking Cessation
BOSTON, Massachusetts, Feb. 14 (TNSrpt) -- The Institute for Clinical and Economic Review issued the following news release on Feb. 12, 2026:
* * *
Institute for Clinical and Economic Review Publishes Final Evidence Report on Medication for Smoking Cessation
- Independent appraisal committee votes reflect a net health benefit for cytisinicline alone, but uncertainty when compared to varenicline; Manufacturer setting a price for cytisinicline to align with value would help ensure public health goals for smoking cessation are met -
*
The Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) today
... Show Full Article
BOSTON, Massachusetts, Feb. 14 (TNSrpt) -- The Institute for Clinical and Economic Review issued the following news release on Feb. 12, 2026:
* * *
Institute for Clinical and Economic Review Publishes Final Evidence Report on Medication for Smoking Cessation
- Independent appraisal committee votes reflect a net health benefit for cytisinicline alone, but uncertainty when compared to varenicline; Manufacturer setting a price for cytisinicline to align with value would help ensure public health goals for smoking cessation are met -
*
The Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) todayreleased a Final Evidence Report assessing the comparative clinical effectiveness and value of cytisinicline (Achieve Life Sciences, Inc.) for smoking cessation. Our primary comparison was with the smoking cessation drug, varenicline.
"Smoking cigarettes is the number one cause of preventable deaths in the US, and so any new therapy to assist with smoking cessation is extremely important," said ICER's Chief Medical Officer, David Rind, MD, MSc. "The drug we reviewed for this assessment, cytisinicline, has been used for decades in Europe and has similar efficacy to varenicline (Chantix) but with less nausea. Manufacturer decisions on pricing are likely to have substantial effects on how easily smokers can access this medication."
ICER's Public Meeting: Voting Results on Clinical Effectiveness and Benefits Beyond Health
ICER's report was the subject of the January 2026 meeting of the Midwest Comparative Effectiveness Public Advisory Council (Midwest CEPAC), one of ICER's three independent evidence appraisal committees.
ICER assessed, and the independent appraisal committee voted on the evidence for the net health benefit of cytisinicline. Some of the voting results on clinical effectiveness include the following:
* The panelists unanimously (14-0) found that for people who smoke cigarettes the current evidence is adequate to demonstrate a net health benefit of cytisinicline is greater than that of behavioral support alone.
* The majority of panelists (13-1) found that for people who smoke cigarettes, the current evidence is not adequate to demonstrate that the net health benefit of cytisinicline with behavioral support is greater than that of varenicline with behavioral support.
Panel members also weighed potential benefits and disadvantages beyond the direct health effects and weighed special ethical priorities. Voting highlighted the following as particularly important for payers and other policymakers to note:
* There is substantial unmet need despite currently available treatments.
* This condition is of substantial relevance for people from a racial/ethnic group that has not been equitably served by the healthcare system.
ICER's Public Meeting: Voting Results on Long-Term Value for Money
Cytisinicline is currently not FDA-approved, with an expected action date from the FDA in June 2026, and the manufacturer has not yet announced a US price for the therapy if approved.
Consistent with ICER's process, because there is no firm estimate yet of a potential launch price for the treatment, the panel did not take a vote on the treatment's long-term value for money.
ICER has calculated a health benefit price benchmark (HBPB) to be between $1,900 and $2,700 per year.
Key Policy Recommendations
ICER's independent assessment of value informs the critical decisions that stakeholders across the US health system need to make around pricing and coverage. Following the voting session, a policy roundtable of experts -- including clinical experts, patients and patient advocates, and representatives from US payers and purchasers -- convened to discuss the pricing implications and recommendations to ensure fair access. Key recommendations stemming from the roundtable discussion include:
* Manufacturers should set the price of cytisinicline to align with the value of added patient benefits.
* Pharmacists should be allowed to prescribe cytisinicline.
* The FDA should provide a new pathway for generic drug approval when a drug has extensive evidence of safety and efficacy and is approved.
ICER's detailed set of policy recommendations is available in the Final Evidence Report and in the standalone Policy Recommendations document.
* * *
About ICER
The Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) is an independent, non-profit research institute that conducts evidence-based reviews of health care interventions, including prescription drugs, other treatments, and diagnostic tests. In collaboration with patients, clinical experts, and other key stakeholders, ICER analyzes the available evidence on the benefits and risks of these interventions to measure their value and suggest fair prices. ICER also regularly reports on the barriers to care for patients and recommends solutions to ensure fair access to prescription drugs. For more information about ICER, please visit www.icer.org.
* * *
REPORT: https://icer.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/ICER_Smoking-Cessation_Final-Report_For-Publication_021226.pdf
* * *
Original text here: https://icer.org/news-insights/press-releases/institute-for-clinical-and-economic-review-publishes-final-evidence-report-on-medication-for-smoking-cessation/
[Category: Economics]
Direct Relief Surpasses $2.2 Billion in Aid for Ukraine
SANTA BARBARA, California, Feb. 14 -- Direct Relief issued the following news:
* * *
Direct Relief Surpasses $2.2 Billion in Aid for Ukraine
New funding for Ukraine's Ministry of Health targets the "last mile" of medical logistics to ensure aid reaches hospitals and clinics nationwide; $60 million in medicine and supplies delivered in January 2026.
*
Direct Relief -- one of the world's largest providers of charitable medical aid--announced today that its support for Ukraine has exceeded $2.2 billion, underscoring both the urgency of the ongoing crisis and the organization's long-term commitment
... Show Full Article
SANTA BARBARA, California, Feb. 14 -- Direct Relief issued the following news:
* * *
Direct Relief Surpasses $2.2 Billion in Aid for Ukraine
New funding for Ukraine's Ministry of Health targets the "last mile" of medical logistics to ensure aid reaches hospitals and clinics nationwide; $60 million in medicine and supplies delivered in January 2026.
*
Direct Relief -- one of the world's largest providers of charitable medical aid--announced today that its support for Ukraine has exceeded $2.2 billion, underscoring both the urgency of the ongoing crisis and the organization's long-term commitmentto supporting the country's health system.
In the first weeks of 2026 alone, the California-based humanitarian nonprofit delivered $62 million in medicines and medical supplies to health facilities across Ukraine--resources that helped keep emergency rooms functioning, supported lifesaving surgeries, and ensured continuity of care nationwide.
Strengthening Ukrainian Health Systems
In addition to supplying medical aid, Direct Relief is investing in the systems that ensure care reaches those who need it most. The organization recently awarded more than $2 million to Ukraine's Ministry of Health to strengthen the distribution network that gets donated medical aid into clinics and hospitals across the country.
This latest support builds on nearly $70 million in targeted financial assistance aligned with Ukraine's public health priorities, including:
* Building a Rehabilitation Workforce: A Euros1 million commitment to UNBROKEN University in Lviv, complementing extensive support for the UNBROKEN National Rehabilitation Center and the Protez Foundation to expand amputee care for patients recovering from war-related injuries.
* Keeping Hospitals Operating During Outages: Purchasing backup power and battery systems that help facilities maintain continuity of care during blackouts.
* Reaching Frontline and High-Need Communities: Support for mobile medical teams that have delivered more than 3,400 services to patients in areas with limited access.
* Caring for Children: Specialized pediatric outreach and medical transport services reaching close to 25,000 children in high-need areas.
* Expanding Mental Health Access: Funding for psychosocial support and trauma-informed training for providers and first responders.
Powered by Partnership
Direct Relief's work in Ukraine is conducted in close collaboration with local healthcare providers and partners. Operations are coordinated from the organization's headquarters and 3-acre distribution warehouse in California and its newly opened European base in Frankfurt, Germany--enabling rapid cross-border aid deliveries at scale.
Because Direct Relief accepts no government funding, its humanitarian impact is powered by partnerships with pharmaceutical manufacturers across the United States and Europe, as well as strategically aligned collaborations with public-sector agencies.
A longstanding example of this approach is Direct Relief's partnership with the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES). Grounded in a memorandum of understanding signed in 2010, the partnership spans both domestic and international emergency responses. In 2022, Direct Relief delivered emergency medical resources donated by California through Cal OES--including seven 50-bed field medical stations from state stockpiles--to support patient care in Ukraine. Direct Relief also assists California agencies during major disasters, including wildfires, by providing targeted medical aid and supporting search-and-rescue teams.
A Sustained Commitment
The scale of Direct Relief's response reflects the severity of the humanitarian crisis continuing to unfold in Ukraine. The organization remains committed not only to meeting emergency demands but also to helping rebuild and strengthen the country's health system for the long road ahead.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.directrelief.org/2026/02/direct-relief-surpasses-2-2-billion-in-aid-for-ukraine/
[Category: Health Care]
Conservation Voters New Mexico: Response to Trump Endangerment Finding Rollback
SANTA FE, New Mexico, Feb. 14 -- Conservation Voters New Mexico issued the following news release on Feb. 12, 2026:
* * *
Response to Trump Endangerment Finding Rollback
CVNM Issues Statement in Response to Trump Endangerment Finding Rollback
Federal decision will cost New Mexican lives; Now is the time for state leaders to act
*
Today, the Trump Administration rescinded the Endangerment finding, which eliminates the Environmental Protection Act's requirement to protect people from the pollution that causes climate change. The finding, instated in 2009, is the legal underpinning for nearly
... Show Full Article
SANTA FE, New Mexico, Feb. 14 -- Conservation Voters New Mexico issued the following news release on Feb. 12, 2026:
* * *
Response to Trump Endangerment Finding Rollback
CVNM Issues Statement in Response to Trump Endangerment Finding Rollback
Federal decision will cost New Mexican lives; Now is the time for state leaders to act
*
Today, the Trump Administration rescinded the Endangerment finding, which eliminates the Environmental Protection Act's requirement to protect people from the pollution that causes climate change. The finding, instated in 2009, is the legal underpinning for nearlyall climate regulations under the Clean Air Act for vehicles, power plants, and other pollution sources. In response, CVNM Chief Executive Officer Demis Foster issued the following statement:
"Today's action cements the Trump Administration's decision to put polluter profits over the health and lives of everyday Americans. Make no mistake: climate denial and unchecked pollution have now become official federal policy. This decision will cost countless lives, from asthma and respiratory illness from toxins in our air, to wildfires and flashfloods that wipe out entire communities in mere seconds.
We know all too well in New Mexico the cost that climate has on our lives, culture, and communities. For this action to happen a day after the New Mexico State Senate failed to pass comprehensive climate policy, Senate Bill 18 Clear Horizons Act, reminds us of the urgency of state leadership at this moment. Hear us loud and clear: the future of New Mexico is in the hands of state leaders. We must not ignore the science and the stories of so many who have had their lives forever transformed due to the climate crisis. They tell us that we can't afford to wait until the next climate disaster is at our doorstep - we must act now with no time to waste.
This is also a leadership moment for New Mexico. We have the innovation, technology, and public support to address this moment with decisive action. We just need political will. We call on leaders at all levels of government to act now for the sake of our families, children, and communities."
* * *
CVNM is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization connecting the people of New Mexico to their political power to protect our air, land, water, wildlife and communities for a healthy Land of Enchantment. CVNM does this by mobilizing voters, winning elections, holding elected officials accountable, and advancing responsible public policies.
* * *
Original text here: https://cvnm.org/response-to-trump-endangerment-finding-rollback/
[Category: Environment]
