Trade Associations
Here's a look at documents from national and international trade associations
Featured Stories
California Dental Association Coalition Launches Campaign To Oppose Medi Cal Dental Funding Cuts
WASHINGTON, Feb. 16 -- The California Dental Association and the Save Our Dental Care coalition have launched a public advocacy campaign urging action to prevent a proposed $1 billion reduction in Medi Cal Dental funding set to take effect July 1.
The coalition, composed of 80 health care, labor, workforce and children's advocacy organizations, introduced a new website providing tools for dentists, patients and supporters to contact state legislators and share personal accounts about how the proposed cuts could affect access to dental care. The funding reductions would impact California's Medi
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WASHINGTON, Feb. 16 -- The California Dental Association and the Save Our Dental Care coalition have launched a public advocacy campaign urging action to prevent a proposed $1 billion reduction in Medi Cal Dental funding set to take effect July 1.
The coalition, composed of 80 health care, labor, workforce and children's advocacy organizations, introduced a new website providing tools for dentists, patients and supporters to contact state legislators and share personal accounts about how the proposed cuts could affect access to dental care. The funding reductions would impact California's MediCal Dental program, which serves low income families, children and vulnerable populations.
Through the campaign's Take Action Center, supporters can send messages directly to California lawmakers, submit personal stories describing potential effects on dental practices and patient care, and distribute informational flyers encouraging broader participation. The website also offers key messages and background information to guide discussions during state budget negotiations.
According to the association, the proposed cuts would have wide ranging consequences for providers and patients across the state, potentially limiting access to preventive and restorative dental services. The coalition is encouraging members to engage early as budget deliberations continue through June.
-- Shanskar Shaw, Targeted News Service
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Original text posted on Feb. 13, 2026, here: https://www.cda.org/newsroom/access-to-care/cda-save-our-dental-care-coalition-launch-calls-to-action-on-medi-cal-dental-funding/
[Category: Dentistry]
American Apparel & Footwear Association Study Finds 41 Percent Of Counterfeit Products Failed Safety Standards
WASHINGTON, Feb. 16 (TNSxrep) -- The American Apparel & Footwear Association has released a study showing that 41 percent of tested counterfeit apparel, footwear and accessory products failed to meet U.S. and international safety standards, raising concerns about chemical exposure risks to consumers.
The report was conducted with support from Intertek and examined 39 counterfeit items. Sixteen products failed compliance testing, with eight exceeding allowable limits for phthalates. One item contained nearly 327,000 parts per million of diethyl phthalate, surpassing regulatory thresholds by more
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WASHINGTON, Feb. 16 (TNSxrep) -- The American Apparel & Footwear Association has released a study showing that 41 percent of tested counterfeit apparel, footwear and accessory products failed to meet U.S. and international safety standards, raising concerns about chemical exposure risks to consumers.
The report was conducted with support from Intertek and examined 39 counterfeit items. Sixteen products failed compliance testing, with eight exceeding allowable limits for phthalates. One item contained nearly 327,000 parts per million of diethyl phthalate, surpassing regulatory thresholds by morethan 650 times under the association's Restricted Substances List.
Additional failures included five products testing positive for PFAS, six for alkylphenols and alkylphenol ethoxylates, three for bisphenol A, two for formaldehyde and three for heavy metals. One product contained 191 parts per million of lead, while another registered nearly ten times the permitted formaldehyde level. All identified substances are restricted or banned under industry guidelines.
The association reported that at least 25 percent of the failed products were purchased on or marketed through platforms owned by Meta Platforms. The organization has nominated Meta, Shopee and Alibaba Group for inclusion on the U.S. government's Notorious Markets List, citing concerns about counterfeit sales and consumer safety.
The findings were released ahead of major global events including Super Bowl 60, the 2026 Winter Olympic Games and the 2026 FIFA World Cup, periods historically associated with increased counterfeit activity. The association is urging stronger oversight of third party marketplaces and social media platforms to reduce risks to consumers in the U.S.
-- Shanskar Shaw, Targeted News Service
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Original text posted on Feb. 4, 2026, here: https://www.aafaglobal.org/AAFA/AAFA_News/2026_Press_Releases/AAFA_Study_41_Percent_Counterfeit_Products_Tested_Failed_Safety.aspx
[Category: Business]
NGFA Commends House Agriculture Committee for Advancing Farm Bill Process
ARLINGTON, Virginia, Feb. 14 -- The National Grain and Feed Association issued the following statement on Feb. 13, 2026:
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NGFA commends House Agriculture Committee for advancing Farm Bill process
The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) today commended the House Agriculture Committee for taking important steps to advance the farm bill process and reaffirming its commitment to providing certainty for America's farmers, grain handlers, and feed manufacturers.
NGFA also expressed appreciation for Chairman Glenn "GT" Thompson's (R-Pa.) continued leadership in moving the legislative process
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ARLINGTON, Virginia, Feb. 14 -- The National Grain and Feed Association issued the following statement on Feb. 13, 2026:
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NGFA commends House Agriculture Committee for advancing Farm Bill process
The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) today commended the House Agriculture Committee for taking important steps to advance the farm bill process and reaffirming its commitment to providing certainty for America's farmers, grain handlers, and feed manufacturers.
NGFA also expressed appreciation for Chairman Glenn "GT" Thompson's (R-Pa.) continued leadership in moving the legislative processforward and fostering engagement on policies critical to the agricultural value chain. NGFA is particularly supportive of maintaining the current Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) cap and the increased funding for the Market Access Program (MAP) and other important trade programs.
"A timely, comprehensive farm bill is essential to maintaining a strong and competitive U.S. agricultural sector," NGFA President and CEO Mike Seyfert said. "We appreciate the committee's work to advance this process and encourage continued collaboration to deliver a long-term bill that supports producers, strengthens supply chains, and promotes market stability."
NGFA looks forward to working with House and Senate leaders as the process continues to ensure a durable farm bill that meets the needs of the entire agricultural economy.
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Original text here: https://www.ngfa.org/farm-bill-process/
[Category: Agriculture]
Missouri Hospital Transparency Data Updated, Now In One Central Location
JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri, Feb. 14 -- The Missouri Hospital Association posted the following news:
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Missouri Hospital Transparency Data Updated, Now In One Central Location
To make health care information easier for Missourians to access and understand, the Missouri Hospital Association has consolidated all statewide and hospital-specific price, quality and community investment data into a single public hub: MissouriHealthMatters.org.
This move is part of a broader effort to better inform the public, streamline reporting processes and meet statutory requirements.
"This transition not only
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JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri, Feb. 14 -- The Missouri Hospital Association posted the following news:
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Missouri Hospital Transparency Data Updated, Now In One Central Location
To make health care information easier for Missourians to access and understand, the Missouri Hospital Association has consolidated all statewide and hospital-specific price, quality and community investment data into a single public hub: MissouriHealthMatters.org.
This move is part of a broader effort to better inform the public, streamline reporting processes and meet statutory requirements.
"This transition not onlystreamlines reporting for our hospitals but also enhances the overall experience for patients, providers and policymakers who rely on accurate, timely health care information," said MHA President and CEO Jon D. Doolittle.
As part of this change, the Focus on Hospitals platform will be sunset, and all resources will be fully integrated into Missouri Health Matters.
The transparency data will be refreshed annually to ensure the information is up to date, comprehensive and fully audited before publication. Quarterly quality updates will continue to be available to member hospitals through HIDI Advantage Optics.
The latest updates to the data dashboards are live and include the following.
* Pricing data reflect July 2024 to June 2025.
* Quality outcomes data include July 2024 to June 2025 data for infections and harm, and June 2022 to May 2025 data for all readmissions measures.
* Pediatric hospitals' quality data reflect July 2024 to June 2025 data for infections, and June 2022 to May 2025 for all readmissions measures.
* Critical access hospitals' quality data reflect July 2022 to June 2025 data for infections and harm, and June 2022 to May 2025 for all readmissions measures.
* Community investment data and self-pay discount percentages reflect 2024 data.
For questions regarding the data, please contact the following MHA staff.
* Price: Josette Bax | jbax@mohospitals.org or 573-893-3700, ext. 1379
* Quality: Stephen Njenga | snjenga@mohospitals.org or 573-893-3700, ext. 1325
* Community Investment: Farrah Fite | ffite@mohospitals.org or 573-893-3700, ext. 1303
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About Missouri Hospital Association
The Missouri Hospital Association is a nonprofit association in Jefferson City that represents 135 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/missouri-hospital-transparency-data-updated-now-in-one-central-location
[Category: Health Care]
Florida Municipal Electric Association Launches Public Powercast Podcast
WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- The Florida Municipal Electric Association has introduced the Florida Public Powercast, a podcast focused on the people, policies and partnerships supporting municipal electric utilities across the state.
The inaugural episode features a discussion with the association's executive director about how public power systems operate in Florida and the role of the organization in advocacy, mutual aid coordination and member education. The episode also outlines the purpose of the podcast as a platform to enhance communication with stakeholders and the communities served by public
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WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- The Florida Municipal Electric Association has introduced the Florida Public Powercast, a podcast focused on the people, policies and partnerships supporting municipal electric utilities across the state.
The inaugural episode features a discussion with the association's executive director about how public power systems operate in Florida and the role of the organization in advocacy, mutual aid coordination and member education. The episode also outlines the purpose of the podcast as a platform to enhance communication with stakeholders and the communities served by publicpower utilities.
According to the association, the program addresses key challenges facing utilities as Florida's population continues to grow, including increased demand for reliable service and infrastructure planning. The episode highlights how municipal utilities differ from investor owned utilities, emphasizing local governance and accountability to residents.
The discussion also explores common misconceptions about utility billing, noting that municipal utility bills may incorporate multiple community services beyond electricity. The association said future episodes will continue examining issues affecting public power communities and provide insights into policy, operations and partnership efforts throughout the U.S.
-- Shanskar Shaw, Targeted News Service
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Original text posted on Feb. 12, 2026, here: https://www.flpublicpower.com/news/fmea-launches-new-florida-public-power-podcast
[Category: Energy]
American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries: Roth Accounts One Step Closer for Mississippi Public Employees
ARLINGTON, Virginia, Feb. 14 -- The American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries issued the following news:
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Roth Accounts One Step Closer for Mississippi Public Employees
By John Iekel
Roth accounts are one step closer to being an option for public employees in the Magnolia State.
A bill that would make that reality is halfway there, at least legislatively -- the Senate has passed it and now it's the House's turn before it goes to the governor for his signature.
On Jan. 19, 2026, Sen. Daniel Sparks (R-Belmont) introduced Senate Bill 2912. Sparks is Chair of the state Senate's
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ARLINGTON, Virginia, Feb. 14 -- The American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries issued the following news:
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Roth Accounts One Step Closer for Mississippi Public Employees
By John Iekel
Roth accounts are one step closer to being an option for public employees in the Magnolia State.
A bill that would make that reality is halfway there, at least legislatively -- the Senate has passed it and now it's the House's turn before it goes to the governor for his signature.
On Jan. 19, 2026, Sen. Daniel Sparks (R-Belmont) introduced Senate Bill 2912. Sparks is Chair of the state Senate'sEconomic and Workforce Development Committee. Sen. David Blount (R-Hinds) is a cosponsor of the bill.
Sparks' bill would expand the retirement accounts available to public employees in Mississippi by adding Roth accounts to those options. It further provides that contributions a participant makes to a Roth account would be treated as includable in the participant's income at the time the participant would have received if it had not been deferred.
Status
The Mississippi Senate acted quickly on the bill. It was immediately referred to the Senate Finance Committee; 10 days later, the committee voted in favor of the measure. In another week, the Senate as a whole passed it unanimously on Feb. 5.
The day after the Senate passed the bill, it went to the state House of Representatives. It is now before two House committees: (1) State Affairs and (2) Ways and Means.
Effective Date
If Senate Bill 2912 is enacted, it will be in force from and after July 1, 2026.
Broader Growth
If Mississippi enacts the measure and expands the options available to participants in its PERS, they'll be in good company. The Plan Sponsor Council of America (PSCA) reports that by the end of 2024, 95.6% of private-sector plans offered a Roth option to their participants -- a jump of 36 percentage points since 2015.
And bipartisan legislation before the U.S. House of Representatives would further enhance Roth-related options. The Retirement Rollover Flexibility Act -- which the American Retirement Association (ARA) has endorsed -- would allow retirement savers to roll over savings they accumulated in a Roth IRA they had established themselves into a Roth account that was available in a workplace retirement plan.
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Original text here: https://www.asppa-net.org/news/2026/2/roth-accounts-one-step-closer-for-mississippi-public-employees/
[Category: Human Resources/Personnel]
American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries: RI, OK May Fine-Tune State-Run Retirement Programs
ARLINGTON, Virginia, Feb. 14 -- The American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries issued the following news on Feb. 13, 2026:
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RI, OK May Fine-Tune State-run Retirement Programs
By John Iekel
Measures before the legislatures of Rhode Island and Oklahoma would amend their state-run retirement programs in ways that would enhance coverage and participation.
Rhode Island
Coverage by Rhode Island Secure Choice will expand if a bill under consideration is enacted.
Rep. Evan Shanley (D-Warwick) on Feb. 4 introduced House Bill 7475, a bill that amends the law that created and governs
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ARLINGTON, Virginia, Feb. 14 -- The American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries issued the following news on Feb. 13, 2026:
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RI, OK May Fine-Tune State-run Retirement Programs
By John Iekel
Measures before the legislatures of Rhode Island and Oklahoma would amend their state-run retirement programs in ways that would enhance coverage and participation.
Rhode Island
Coverage by Rhode Island Secure Choice will expand if a bill under consideration is enacted.
Rep. Evan Shanley (D-Warwick) on Feb. 4 introduced House Bill 7475, a bill that amends the law that created and governsthe still-brand-new Rhode Island Secure Choice program.
Shanley's bill would expand the provision concerning what it terms optional employees -- in the case, those employed by employers with less than five employees -- so that it includes individuals who are age 18.
The bill also would adjust the provisions governing investment of Rhode Island Secure Choice program funds. The law currently says that all investment offerings shall be approved by the state investment commission; House Bill 7475 would require the commission to consider the investment offerings at least once every three years.
The bill was referred to the House Corporations Committee; that body has recommended that it be held for further study.
Oklahoma
More participant control over how the funds in their Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) account is invested will be OK if a bill before the Sooner State House is enacted.
The Board of Trustees of OPERS contracts with business entities so participants have a range of choices regarding investment of funds deposited into defined contribution system accounts. Options include annuities, guaranteed investment contracts and similar products.
Rep. Chris Kanady (R-Oklahoma City) on Feb. 2 introduced HB 4225, which would amend the law governing OPERS to allow participants to exercise independent control over the investment of their individual accounts, including investing in other assets outside of the plan in determining their investments under the plan.
The bill would become effective on Nov. 1, 2026 if it is enacted. It has been referred to two committees of the House of Representatives: Government Oversight, and Banking, Financial Services and Pensions.
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Original text here: https://www.asppa-net.org/news/2026/2/ri-ok-may-fine-tune-state-run-retirement-programs/
[Category: Human Resources/Personnel]
