Trade Associations
Here's a look at documents from national and international trade associations
Featured Stories
NCGA Statement on Government Reopening, Action Needed on E-15
CHESTERFIELD, Missouri, Nov. 14 -- The National Corn Growers Association issued the following news on Nov. 12, 2025:
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NCGA Statement on Government Reopening, Action Needed on E-15
The U.S. House of Representatives voted tonight on a continuing resolution and three full-fiscal year appropriations bills. The full U.S. Senate passed the measure on Monday.
The continuing resolution reopens the federal government through January and included the agriculture appropriations bill, which will largely fund USDA programs through September 30, 2026. Several expiring farm bill programs and provisions,
... Show Full Article
CHESTERFIELD, Missouri, Nov. 14 -- The National Corn Growers Association issued the following news on Nov. 12, 2025:
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NCGA Statement on Government Reopening, Action Needed on E-15
The U.S. House of Representatives voted tonight on a continuing resolution and three full-fiscal year appropriations bills. The full U.S. Senate passed the measure on Monday.
The continuing resolution reopens the federal government through January and included the agriculture appropriations bill, which will largely fund USDA programs through September 30, 2026. Several expiring farm bill programs and provisions,including key energy programs, were extended without additional funding, highlighting the need for a full farm bill reauthorization this Congress.
In response to today's development, Ohio farmer and National Corn Growers Association President Jed Bower released the following statement:
"The actions from Congress come as a relief to the nation's corn growers who use federal programs for farm loans, grants and technical assistance.
"Corn growers also see today's development as an inflection point. We are approaching year's end, and, despite opportunities to do so, Congress has not voted on legislation that would allow consumers across the country to access E15 year-round. Passage of this legislation would bolster the nation's energy security, save drivers money at the pump and help corn growers considerably by increasing demand. We strongly urge Congress to pass this legislation right away and will continue our meetings with members of Congress to call for action."
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Original text here: https://www.ncga.com/stay-informed/media/in-the-news/article/2025/11/ncga-statement-on-government-reopening-action-needed-on-e-15
[Category: Agriculture]
Motorcoach Travel Generated $158 Billion in Economic Impact in 2024, New ABAF Report Shows
WASHINGTON, Nov. 14 (TNSrpt) -- The American Bus Association issued the following news release on Nov. 13, 2025:
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Motorcoach Travel Generated $158 Billion in Economic Impact in 2024, New ABAF Report Shows
Updated findings from Tourism Economics quantify the nationwide footprint of motorcoach travel in 2024
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The American Bus Association Foundation (ABAF) has released its most comprehensive analysis to date of the motorcoach industry's economic footprint--and the findings underscore just how essential motorcoach travel remains to the U.S. economy. According to the revised 2025 Economic
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Nov. 14 (TNSrpt) -- The American Bus Association issued the following news release on Nov. 13, 2025:
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Motorcoach Travel Generated $158 Billion in Economic Impact in 2024, New ABAF Report Shows
Updated findings from Tourism Economics quantify the nationwide footprint of motorcoach travel in 2024
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The American Bus Association Foundation (ABAF) has released its most comprehensive analysis to date of the motorcoach industry's economic footprint--and the findings underscore just how essential motorcoach travel remains to the U.S. economy. According to the revised 2025 EconomicImpact of Motorcoach Travel in the United States report, motorcoach activity generated $158 billion in total economic impact in 2024, supporting more than 890,000 jobs nationwide. New data from scheduled service operations augment the previous research results from the initial impact report released in September.
The study, conducted by Tourism Economics, highlights the combined strength of group travel, charter operations, sightseeing, scheduled service, and intercity bus travel. Together, these sectors accounted for 37.6 billion passenger miles last year--an indicator of substantial demand for both leisure and essential transportation services. Direct spending totaled $69.8 billion and expanded significantly as it moved through the U.S. economy, fueling revenue, wages, and tax receipts in nearly every sector.
A Powerful Driver of Jobs and Local Economies
One of the report's most compelling insights is the significant role motorcoach travel plays in sustaining jobs. In 2024, direct spending supported 516,000 jobs, with the broader economic effects adding another 374,000 jobs across industries such as food and beverage, retail, entertainment, lodging, and transportation. The food and beverage sector benefited most, with more than 225,000 jobs tied to motorcoach-related spending.
This job creation mirrors the findings of ABA's 2024 Motorcoach Census, which documented strong workforce demand and continued recovery across companies of all sizes. That report noted increased hiring, expanded service capacity, and rising demand for both charter and scheduled service--trends reinforced by the economic impact study.
Remains a High-Value Economic Engine
Within the broader sector, group travel remains a cornerstone of the motorcoach economy. In 2024, group travel alone generated $39.8 billion in direct spending and an $89.3 billion total economic impact, supporting more than 515,000 jobs. Travelers contributed significantly to local tourism economies: $13.2 billion in food and beverage spending, $7.5 billion in retail, and $7.2 billion in recreation.
These findings align with ABAF's 2024 Motorcoach Group Travel Economic Impact Report, which highlighted how motorcoach tourism drives visitor spending into small towns, gateway communities, and major travel regions that rely on group tours to support year-round employment.
Scheduled Service Strengthens Intercity Mobility
Scheduled service--representing intercity and airport-to-city routes--also delivered notable economic gains. Travelers using scheduled services generated $30 billion in direct spending and a total impact of $68.7 billion in 2024, supporting 374,121 jobs. Food and beverage, transportation, and retail sectors again ranked among the top beneficiaries.
The continued strength of scheduled service reflects national intercity mobility trends seen across ABA's research portfolio, where pre-owned fleet growth, expanded routes, and shifting travel patterns have reshaped demand.
A Critical Contributor to Public Revenues
Across all segments, motorcoach travel generated $27.7 billion in total tax revenue, including nearly $16 billion in state and local taxes. The report notes that every U.S. household would need to pay an additional $209 annually to replace these state and local revenues--underscoring the industry's essential role in funding public services.
A Vital Component of the U.S. Transportation and Tourism Landscape
The 2025 analysis reinforces what ABA members see every day: motorcoach travel is not only an affordable and sustainable mode of transportation, but also a major economic pillar that supports jobs, drives tourism, and connects communities.
As the industry continues to grow and evolve, ABAF's data provides a clear foundation for ongoing advocacy, investment, and strategic planning--ensuring motorcoach travel remains a thriving part of America's transportation future.
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REPORT: https://www.buses.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2024-Economic-Impact-of-Motorcoach-Group-Travel-in-the-United-States.pdf
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Original text here: https://news.buses.org/motorcoach-travel-generated-158-billion-in-economic-impact-in-2024-new-abaf-report-shows/
[Category: Transportation]
ERIC and More Than 100 Groups: Don't Repeat History, Enact PBM Reform
WASHINGTON, Nov. 14 -- The ERISA Industry Committee issued the following news release on Nov. 12, 2025:
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ERIC and More than 100 Groups: Don't Repeat History, Enact PBM Reform
The ERISA Industry Committee (ERIC) and more than 100 stakeholder groups representing employers, workers, patients, providers, consumers, industry stakeholders, and more, today called on Congress to act with urgency to enact strong pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reforms this year.
"Last December, House and Senate leaders put forth a bipartisan health care package that would have taken important steps towards PBM transparency
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Nov. 14 -- The ERISA Industry Committee issued the following news release on Nov. 12, 2025:
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ERIC and More than 100 Groups: Don't Repeat History, Enact PBM Reform
The ERISA Industry Committee (ERIC) and more than 100 stakeholder groups representing employers, workers, patients, providers, consumers, industry stakeholders, and more, today called on Congress to act with urgency to enact strong pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reforms this year.
"Last December, House and Senate leaders put forth a bipartisan health care package that would have taken important steps towards PBM transparencyand accountability. Unfortunately, Congress failed to pull them over the one-yard line and closed 2024 with nothing done to improve affordability --again," said Melissa Bartlett, ERIC's Senior Vice President of Health Policy. "Without action to enact these reforms, we risk repeating history and ending another year with employers and working families still struggling with the high cost of prescription drugs. Congress needs to finish what it started and advance these measures."
The December 2024 package contained strong PBM transparency and accountability reforms in the employer-sponsored insurance market and in federal and state programs, including:
* Full transparency of PBM practices, including business arrangements, financial incentives, and formulary design.
* Banning spread pricing, which allows PBMs to profit from the difference between what they charge insurers and reimburse pharmacies, in the Medicaid program.
* Requiring PBMs to pass 100% of rebates, discounts, fees, and other payments from drug manufacturers to plan sponsors and patients.
* De-linking PBM compensation from the list prices of drugs in the Medicare program.
Bartlett added, "Every day without action is a day that Americans are forced to choose between their health and their financial stability. These policies have strong support on both sides of the aisle, and are the culmination of 7 years of legislative debate and fine-tuning. But the window for action is closing fast. Congress should pass the bipartisan, bicameral health care package from last December without delay."
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All media inquiries to The ERISA Industry Committee should be directed to media@eric.org.
About The ERISA Industry Committee
ERIC is a national advocacy organization that exclusively represents large employers that provide health, retirement, paid leave, and other benefits to their nationwide workforces. With member companies that are leaders in every sector of the economy, ERIC advocates on the federal, state, and local levels for policies that promote flexibility and uniformity in the administration of their employee benefit plans.
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November 11, 2025
Dear Members of Congress,
As Congress continues its work to improve health care access and affordability, the undersigned organizations urge you to pass comprehensive Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) transparency and accountability reform measures before the end of the year. Together, we represent millions of employers and patients across the United States--employees and families who are directly impacted by the opaque and often harmful practices of PBMs.
PBMs play a powerful role in determining which medications are accessible and affordable. Today, three PBMs process nearly 80% of prescription drug claims in the U.S., giving them immense market power.
This consolidation has created a skewed marketplace that drives up drug costs, limits patient choice, and makes it difficult for employers to negotiate contract terms for medications. Patients living with chronic and acute conditions face delays, denials, and unaffordable prices for life-saving medications, even with most employers paying 80 percent or more of employees' health care costs. These consequences are real, and they are urgent to address.
We are united in calling for meaningful reform that prioritizes transparency, accountability, and patient access. Specifically, we urge Congress to take up the PBM policies included in the December 2024 health care package, agreed to by both Chambers, and intended to be included in the year-end continuing resolution. These policies were so close to becoming law last December and it is time for Congress to finish what it started and enact these measures at its first opportunity.
Over 160 million Americans receive their health care through employer-sponsored coverage. These Americans, along with those covered under federal and state programs, deserve full transparency about how their health care dollars are being spent and with savings to be directed to their benefit, not the pockets of PBMs. The health policies contained in the December 2024 package take an important first step at providing transparency and reforms both in the employer-sponsored insurance market and in federal and state programs, including:
* Full transparency of PBM practices, including business arrangements, financial incentives, and formulary design.
* Banning spread pricing, which allows PBMs to profit from the difference between what they charge for insurers and reimburse pharmacies.
* 100% pass-through of rebates, discounts, fees, and other payments from drug manufacturers to plan sponsors and patients.
* De-linking PBM compensation from drug prices.
These policies have broad bipartisan support and reflect the needs of both employers and patients.
Every day without action is a day in which Americans are forced to make impossible choices--between their health and their financial stability. These changes are imperative to ensure a free market operates as intended, without steering plans and patients toward higher-priced medications and making health care unaffordable. We firmly believe that congressional action is necessary to correct the dysfunction present in the marketplace.
We urge Congress to seize this opportunity to enact overdue PBM reform that restores fairness, transparency, and access to our health care system for millions of Americans.
Sincerely,
Advancing Free Market Healthcare - Wisconsin
AffirmedRx
AiArthritis
Alliance for Aging Research
Alliance for Transparent and Affordable Prescriptions (ATAP)
The ALS Association
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
American Behcet's Disease Association (ABDA)
American College of Clinical Pharmacy
American College of Gastroenterology
American College of Rheumatology
American Diabetes Association
American Economic Liberties Project
American Foundation for Women's Health
American Gastroenterological Association
American Kidney Fund
American Liver Foundation
American Society of Plastic Surgeons
American Staffing Association
America's Agenda
AnCan Foundation
Arthritis Foundation
Association for Accessible Medicines and the Biosimilars Council
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
Autoimmune Association
Beta Cell Action
The Biosimilars Forum
Biotechnology Innovation Organization
Blood Cancer United (Formerly The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society)
Blue Shield of California
GTMRx Institute
The Headache and Migraine Policy Forum
HealthCareTN
HealthyWomen
HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute
Hometown Pharmacy of Wisconsin
Houston Business Coalition on Health
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association
Infusion Access Foundation
Labor Campaign for Single Payer
Lehigh Valley Business Coalition on Healthcare (LVBCH)
LUNGevity Foundation
Lupus and Allied Diseases Association, Inc.
Maryland Association of Chain Drug Stores
Midwest Business Group on Health
Miles for Migraine
NABIP
National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions
National Association of Manufacturers
National Community Pharmacists Association
National Consumers League
National Federation of Independent Business
National Grange
National Hispanic Health Foundation
National Infusion Center Association (NICA)
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
National Organization of Rheumatology Management
NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice
Nevada Business Group on Health
North Carolina Business Coalition on Health
Nutritional Therapy for IBD
Business Health Care Group
CancerCare
Caregiver Action Network
Children with Diabetes
CHRO Association (formerly, HR Policy Association)
Coalition of State Rheumatology Organizations
The Coalition to Protect and Promote Association Health Plans
College and University Professional Association for Human Resources
Color of Gastrointestinal Illnesses
Community Liver Alliance
Community Oncology Alliance (COA)
The Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers
Crohn's & Colitis Foundation
DFW Business Group on Health
Economic Alliance for Michigan
Employer Coalition of Louisiana
Employers' Advanced Cooperative on Healthcare
Employers' Forum of Indiana
Employers Healthcare Alliance
Epilepsy Foundation of America
The ERISA Industry Committee
Florida Alliance for Healthcare Value
FLORIDIANS FOR ACCOUNTABILITY IN HEALTH CARE INC.
Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research
Georgia Association of Manufacturers Global Liver Institute
Oklahoma Business Collective on Health
The Oklahoma Business Collective on Health
Oncology Nursing Society
Partnership for Employer-Sponsored Coverage (P4ESC)
Patients Rising
PBM Accountability Project
Peggy Lillis Foundation
PhRMA
Prevent Blindness
Progressive Policy Institute
RetireSafe
Rhode Island Business Group on Health
Self-Insurance Institute of America, Inc.
Silicon Valley Employers Forum
Sjogren's Foundation
Small Business Majority
Society of Professional Benefit Administrators
StopAfib.org
Texas Business Group on Health
Tourette Association of America
Transparency Rx
U.S. Pain Foundation
U.S.PIRG
United Cerebral Palsy
Warner Pacific
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Original text here: https://www.eric.org/press_release/eric-and-more-than-100-groups-dont-repeat-history-enact-pbm-reform/
[Category: Human Resources/Personnel]
American Petroleum Institute Pennsylvania Warns House Bill 1946 Essentially Bans New Natural Gas Development, Harms Pennsylvania
WASHINGTON, Nov. 14 [Category: Energy] -- The American Petroleum Institute posted the following news release:
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American Petroleum Institute Pennsylvania Warns House Bill 1946 Essentially Bans New Natural Gas Development, Harms Pennsylvania
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HARRISBURG, PA, November 14, 2025 The American Petroleum Institute Pennsylvania (API PA) has released a letter to the Pennsylvania House Environmental and Natural Resource Protection Committee expressing strong opposition to House Bill 1946, which would impose stricter new setbacks for natural gas wells in the state. The committee is expected to hear
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Nov. 14 [Category: Energy] -- The American Petroleum Institute posted the following news release:
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American Petroleum Institute Pennsylvania Warns House Bill 1946 Essentially Bans New Natural Gas Development, Harms Pennsylvania
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HARRISBURG, PA, November 14, 2025 The American Petroleum Institute Pennsylvania (API PA) has released a letter to the Pennsylvania House Environmental and Natural Resource Protection Committee expressing strong opposition to House Bill 1946, which would impose stricter new setbacks for natural gas wells in the state. The committee is expected to heartestimony regarding the bill on Monday, Nov. 17 in Harrisburg.
"Make no mistake, this proposal is a de facto ban on natural gas development in Pennsylvania," said API PA Executive Director Stephanie Catarino Wissman. "Our industry is producing natural gas safer and more efficiently than ever before - advancing best practices and following the state's robust regulatory framework, including current setbacks, while providing affordable, reliable energy, generating billions of dollars for our economy and supporting 400,000 jobs for Pennsylvanians."
In the letter, API PA pointed out that "an increased setback of 2,500 feet would prohibit production from an area 25 times larger than our current protected areas."
Act 13 of 2012 established proper setback distances in Pennsylvania. Other state statutes, such as the Clean Streams Law, the Air Pollution Control Act and the Waste Management Act, also apply to the natural gas industry, as well as state Department of Environmental Protection requirements for both surface and subsurface activities.
Restricting access to Pennsylvania natural gas could also impact energy affordability and reliability for consumers, considering more than half of Pennsylvania's electric power flows from natural gas-fired power plants.
"Not only is Pennsylvania natural gas helping to meet the surging demand for electricity, but it is also produced under some of the strictest standards and safety protocols in the world," said Wissman. "Simply put, this proposal would harm Pennsylvania."
The American Petroleum Institute (API) represents all segments of America's oil and natural gas industry, supporting nearly 11 million U.S. jobs. With approximately 600 members, API companies produce, process, and distribute the majority of the nation's energy. Founded in 1919, API has developed over 800 standards to enhance operational and environmental safety, efficiency, and sustainability.
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Original text here: https://www.api.org/news-policy-and-issues/news/2025/11/14/api-pennsylvania-warns-house-bill-1946
AMA president highlights how an assertive AMA is driving change in Washington
CHICAGO, Illinois, Nov. 14 [Category: Medical] -- The American Medical Association posted the following news release:
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AMA president highlights how an assertive AMA is driving change in Washington
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NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - Addressing physician and medical student leaders at the Interim Meeting of the American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates, AMA President Bobby Mukkamala, M.D., today outlined the biggest challenges facing medicine and touted recent bipartisan wins for physicians and patients.
Dr. Mukkamala highlighted progress on modernizing e-prescribing, strengthening interoperability,
... Show Full Article
CHICAGO, Illinois, Nov. 14 [Category: Medical] -- The American Medical Association posted the following news release:
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AMA president highlights how an assertive AMA is driving change in Washington
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NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - Addressing physician and medical student leaders at the Interim Meeting of the American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates, AMA President Bobby Mukkamala, M.D., today outlined the biggest challenges facing medicine and touted recent bipartisan wins for physicians and patients.
Dr. Mukkamala highlighted progress on modernizing e-prescribing, strengthening interoperability,combating information blocking, and advancing an AI action plan to ensure technology serves physicians and patients alike.
He also outlined critical health system challenges the AMA aims to address: achieving a sustainable payment model that reflects the cost of running a practice, incentivizing preventive care, removing barriers to medical education, and building technology that enhances, not hinders, physicians' work.
"The AMA will work with anyone to fix the problems in health care that are driving burnout and physician shortages that burden us with excessive paperwork and badly designed technology," Dr. Mukkamala said in remarks as prepared for delivery.
"All of these challenges limit people's ability to get the care they need.
"This is more than a commitment we share. It is a pledge we took to do what's right."
The full text of Dr. Mukkamala's remarks to the House of Delegates, as prepared for delivery, is below:
Healers and warriors
Madam speaker, members of the board, delegates, colleagues and guests, it is an honor to speak to you this evening.
It is an awesome sight to stand on this stage and look out upon the incredible diversity of our profession.
Almost a thousand physicians
Every state and specialty.
Different backgrounds and ethnicities.
Some educated and trained here in the U.S., others abroad. But each of us committed to advancing medical practice to create a better future for our colleagues and our patients.
This House - this family- represents what is truly great about our AMA. These gatherings - and the impassioned and informed debates on this floor - showcase the very best of our profession
I can only simply say thank you for giving me purpose.
When we last convened this House in June - you challenged us to speak louder. To be more resolute against the headwinds we face.
We heard you and I'm proud to say that over the past five months that's exactly what we did.
And the measurements are telling us we are successful. AMA's social media posts have been viewed over 18 million times since June - more than doubling our engagement from the first half of the year.
We've spoken out against the extraordinary financial pressures facing all of us but especially those like me on the front lines - pressure due to 25 years of declining Medicare payment rates.
We opposed the administration's decision to remove well-respected physicians from the advisory panel on immunizations, and have repeatedly warned against government intrusion into our exam room.
We called for physicians to be exempt from an outrageous application fee for H-1B visas - a hundred thousand dollars per doctor - recognizing the vital role that IMGs, like my parents, play in a health system stretched far too thin.
We've continued to push back against non-science - nonsense - and we loudly reaffirmed the importance of immunization in protecting generations of children from deadly disease like measles.
On these issues and so many others, the AMA remains a steady, trusted voice for science, for evidence, and for ethics that underpin our profession.
But physician advocacy is not just about the opposition we face. It's also about progress we make and finding common ground to advance the goals of physicians for the good of our patients.
That's why we've worked with federal leaders to modernize e-prescribing, strengthen interoperability, and fight information blocking long-standing frustrations for every clinician that could be so much better if they simply move us beyond using fax machines!
We've supported efforts to expand nutrition education in medical schools emphasizing prevention and lifestyle changes as cornerstones of better health and more efficient health care
We welcomed the administration's AI Action Plan because we believe health technology must be ethical, transparent, and led by physicians.
We said thank you for taking action to protect our patients from massive drug costs on medications like GLP-1s.
And we applauded long-overdue prior authorization reforms that could, maybe, just maybe, actually work this time!
The AMA will work with anyone to fix the problems in health care that are driving burnout and physician shortages, that burden us with excessive paperwork and badly designed technology - not a person on the other end that drops us from a 99204 to a 99203. All of these challenges limit people's ability to get the care they need.
This is more than a commitment we share. It is a pledge we took to do what's right.
If you heard my inaugural address in June or have seen me at events or interviewed on television, you know that my hometown of Flint, Michigan, is always close to me. In fact, it is the lens through which I see the very best and worst of our health system.
Flint is a city of startling contradictions. Fiercely proud and filled with tenacity yet deeply troubled by the societal challenges that contribute to high rates of chronic illness, depression, psychological distress. and other conditions that lead to lower life expectancy and diminished quality of life.
There are wonderful doctors in Flint - like my wife Nita, an OBGYN, with whom I'm lucky to share both my life and my practice.
But there are far too few doctors to meet my city's needs and our country's needs.
Wait times for specialists like us can be measured in months.
More than one third of Flint residents live at or below the poverty line and are enrolled in Medicaid.
So, I think about the AMA's advocacy priorities as they relate to my hometown - knowing that the same cracks in the health system that are devastating physicians and residents of Flint are doing the same in communities across our country
When the most challenged communities in our country confront public health issues like
lead in the water and also the double whammy of lacking the most basic health coverage: Medicaid...
We can do better.
In South Dakota - where I spoke last month- there is one primary care physician for every 760 residents, among the highest gaps in the nation.
In Mississippi - where I spoke this summer - there is a significant shortage of OBGYNs - threatening to make matters worse in a state already grappling with some of the worst rates of infant and maternal mortality.
And in Nebraska - where I appeared in August - about two-thirds of its counties are considered medically underserved, with many rural hospitals struggling to stay open.
How do we live with this failure in so many health outcomes? How is this possible in a nation that spends more money on health care - a lot more - than any other country on earth?
And more important for the work we will do here this week: How can we work together to fill these cracks?
How can we leverage the power of the AMA - of every state and specialty society - to achieve this?
Let's start with the most basic: physicians need a sustainable payment model that supports both employed and independent doctors - reflecting the increasing costs of actually running a practice.
We have tried before and will keep trying, even harder - including for Medicare and Medicaid - until our lawmakers share our wisdom in this investment.
We need an adequate physician workforce to alleviate stress on the system and ensure patients always have access to a physician-led team.
We need those doctors to be the best and most highly skilled we can attract - no matter where they're from.
We need a health system that incentivizes preventive care like routine checkups and screenings so that we can spot a health concern before it becomes a life-threatening emergency.
We need to remove barriers to medical school education and make sure all who pursue medicine have a foundation that will prepare them for the health challenges of tomorrow instead of today's massive, increasing debt.
We need technology that enhances, not hinders, our work tools where we spend less time looking at our screens and more time looking at our patients.
And we need relief from administrative demands that drive burnout, and relief given to us by a system that not only allows - but encourages us - to take care of our own mental health needs and feel the joy in medicine.
This isn't the health system we have today, but it is the health system our AMA is fighting for.
And with your help - and your voice - and our perseverance- this is the health system we will have.
In this room we are a very special physician community - a community of advocates and leaders focused on the biggest health challenges our country faces.
But for me, I continue to face a very personal health challenge that I have not kept a secret.
In fact, my family jokes that I can't stop talking about it. And they're probably right, but it's because I milk 'em for sympathy and use it like a get out of jail free card.
But actually, I share my story of recovery from brain cancer wherever I can because every so often someone reaches out to me to say, "That happened to me, too."
Every time we build one of those connections - it's a bond. And those bonds get stronger whether they are open and honest conversations with our colleagues, or even with our patients.
I have no sorrow for what I am going through. In fact, oddly, I am grateful for the preparation God gave me before I took on this responsibility.
I am thankful for being a patient challenged by the very things that I - that we - fight for as doctors: improved access to care, and a more responsive health care system
It was one year ago today actually that I stood at a microphone and gave an update to what was then called the Minority Affairs Section. The words weren't coming out right, and were it not for this house showing its concern, my diagnosis of astrocytoma would have been delayed.
I thank this house. I thank you for fighting for me when I wear my patient gown instead of my white coat.
This work of ours sustains me.
When we love what we do when we're fighting for something that matters we don't tire. We move forward. We run.
I often check how many days I have left as AMA president. Today it says 204.
I do this not because I'm fatigued but because, when I see the days I have left to run, I'm energized. I run harder because I see the finish line approaching.
Our mission restoring the joy, meaning, and respect that first drew us into medicine our mission is worth every ounce of effort.
It is worth the fight.
We must be one AMA unified, resolute, and committed to the health of our patients and the strength of our profession.
So tonight, I challenge every physician in this room: Let us be healers, yes but let us be warriors when necessary.
Warriors when we need to fight. Fight for our patients. Fight for our colleagues. Fight for the future of medicine.
Let's tear down barriers and lead with purpose and compassion.
Let us fight when necessary.
Let us heal always.
And let us lead together, forever
Thank you.
***
Original text here: https://www.ama-assn.org/press-center/ama-press-releases/ama-president-highlights-how-assertive-ama-driving-change
AMA CEO urges physicians to be architects of a changing profession
CHICAGO, Illinois, Nov. 14 [Category: Medical] -- The American Medical Association posted the following news release:
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AMA CEO urges physicians to be architects of a changing profession
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NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - American Medical Association CEO and Executive Vice President John Whyte, MD, MPH, today called on physicians, residents, and medical students to take the lead in shaping the rapidly evolving future of medicine with urgency and unity.
Dr. Whyte highlighted the recently launched AMA Center for Digital Health and AI and its role in putting physicians at the center of shaping, guiding,
... Show Full Article
CHICAGO, Illinois, Nov. 14 [Category: Medical] -- The American Medical Association posted the following news release:
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AMA CEO urges physicians to be architects of a changing profession
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NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - American Medical Association CEO and Executive Vice President John Whyte, MD, MPH, today called on physicians, residents, and medical students to take the lead in shaping the rapidly evolving future of medicine with urgency and unity.
Dr. Whyte highlighted the recently launched AMA Center for Digital Health and AI and its role in putting physicians at the center of shaping, guiding,and implementing transformative technologies. He touted the previous day's announcement of the AMA's Community Health Impact Lab micro grants program, designed to fuel innovation and fund community-level, physician-led projects to improve health outcomes.
"We are not bystanders. We are architects," Dr. Whyte said in remarks as prepared for delivery to delegates to the Interim Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates.
"That's why I'm strengthening our advocacy strategies to cut red tape and restore autonomy. We are pushing back on excessive prior authorization, fighting for fair Medicare reimbursement, and investing in physician well-being not as an afterthought, but as a moral and strategic priority.
"Because the future of the AMA must put physicians first not just in rhetoric, but in real results."
The full text of Dr. Whyte's speech, as prepared for delivery, is below:
The Future of the AMA
It is an honor to stand before you tonight as the new CEO of the American Medical Association. I am humbled and energized by the work we do together.
We often talk about the AMA as one big family, and on nights like this we see why.
Thank you for welcoming me into your family.
We gather tonight at one of the most consequential times for health care in America.
You the House of Delegates play a pivotal role in this seminal period. You are the voice of our profession. In every motion passed, in every policy debated, you carry forward not just the concerns of today, but the legacy of medicine itself.
Tonight, I want to talk about something we all care deeply about: The Future of the AMA.
The AMA has never been static. Since 1847, we've evolved with the science, with society, and with the profession. From establishing the first code of medical ethics, to our unrelenting fight for access to care, we have always stood on the front lines of change.
But history isn't enough. Legacy alone doesn't protect patients, or support physicians, or address burnout. That takes vision. That takes action.
So let me be clear: The future of the AMA is not something we wait for. It's something we shape with urgency and unity.
At the heart of our work is you the physician.
Our surveys show it. Your testimonies affirm it. The practice of medicine today is tougher than ever. Administrative burdens continue to climb. Burnout remains dangerously high. And new challenges from workforce shortages to the explosion of generative AI are reshaping how we practice care.
But here's the good news: We are not bystanders. We are architects.
That's why I'm strengthening our advocacy strategies to cut red tape and restore autonomy. We are pushing back on excessive prior authorization, fighting for fair Medicare reimbursement, and investing in physician well-being not as an afterthought, but as a moral and strategic priority.
Because the future of the AMA must put physicians first not just in rhetoric, but in real results.
In a time when misinformation spreads faster than truth, and science is often politicized, the AMA must remain a beacon of evidence, integrity, and trust.
We are elevating science-based policy. We are supporting public health messaging. I'm sure you have all seen numerous statements we have issued and an ambitious social media strategy - all backed by action. And we are fiercely defending the patient-physician relationship from interference whether it comes from politics, algorithms, or bureaucracy.
This is not just about facts. It's about trust. And in the noise of a fractured information landscape, our voice your voice must be clearer than ever.
I've always been a lover of history - so it's great to work at a place that's over 170 years old. To put that into contextwhen you come to the Chicago office, you can visit our archives. And on the 47 th floor is a display showing how the AMA fought medical quackery in the early 20 th Century - the numerous potions and concoctions that promised to cure disease and prolong life.
We led by focusing on science and encouraging people to talk to their doctor. Well - what's old is new again. Because that's what we are doing now!
The future of the AMA depends on our credibility. And credibility is earned every day, in every word, in every stand we take.
That's why I was delighted to announce just yesterday the AMA's new Community Health Impact Lab grants. Our goal is simple but ambitious: invest in physician-led, community-centered projects that improve health outcomes among populations, particularly those that are marginalized or disadvantaged. This program is about innovative solutions led by those who know their communities best - doctors on the frontlines.
You want to solve the problems of health care - let physicians do their job... unencumbered by excessive regulation and administrative burden!
We can solve the problems of health care because we are the ones who know it the best.
Our vision is a health system that is inclusive, just, and grounded in our oath to serve all.
Technology is changing our world. AI diagnostics. Wearables. Virtual care. These are not science fiction they are here. They are powerful. But they are not without risk.
The AMA believes technology should extend the human touch, not replace it. We believe in guardrails, not blind adoption. And we are leading national efforts to shape ethical standards for AI in healthcare.
Innovation without humanity is not progress it's peril.
That's why I was proud to announce the creation of the AMA Center for Digital Health and AI - putting physicians at the center of shaping, guiding and implementing transformative technologies.
Physicians must be leaders in AI because we understand the needs of patients better than anyone. We know what works - and what doesn't.
We must lead conversations about AI policy and regulation, workflow integration, education and training. And we must do this as one medical community - one family - so that we unlock the extraordinary potential of this technology.
The future of the AMA must be both visionary and vigilant.
Across medical schools and residency programs, I see a new generation of physicians smart, passionate, diverse, and deeply driven by mission.
But many of them are asking hard questions:
"Does the AMA speak for me?"
"Does organized medicine reflect my values?"
"Is this a place where I belong?"
Let me say unequivocally: Yes. The answer is Yes, it must be.
If we are to remain the unified voice of medicine, we must listen deeply, adapt courageously, and welcome broadly. We must work together - because truly together we have more power.
The future of the AMA must belong to the next generation not just as members, but as leaders.
We won't always agree. We come from different specialties, practice settings, ideologies. And yet, in this House this unique, powerful House we come together for something bigger than ourselves.
We are not just protecting a profession. We are protecting the sacred bond between doctor and patient. We are guarding the soul of medicine.
And we do that better together.
Because the future of the AMA and medicine itself depends on our unity of purpose.
So where do we go from here?
We keep fighting.
We keep evolving.
We keep leading.
We strive for impact in our relentless pursuit of a healthier America.
We speak with moral clarity. We act with strategic strength. We honor our past by building our future.
And we do it together. Each step of the way.
Because this is our calling. This is our charge.
This is the future of our AMA.
Thank you.
***
Original text here: https://www.ama-assn.org/press-center/ama-press-releases/ama-ceo-urges-physicians-be-architects-changing-profession
AIA's Eric Fanning in the Washington Times: Why Right-to-Repair Threatens Defense Innovation and Readiness
ARLINGTON, Virginia, Nov. 14 [Category: Aerospace] -- The Aerospace Industries Association posted the following news release:
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AIA's Eric Fanning in the Washington Times: Why Right-to-Repair Threatens Defense Innovation and Readiness
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Arlington, VA - In case you missed it, Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) President and CEO Eric Fanning penned an op-ed in the Washington Times urging Congress to reject "right-to-repair" provisions in this year's National Defense Authorization Act, warning they could harm innovation.
"On paper, these provisions sound reasonable: give the Pentagon
... Show Full Article
ARLINGTON, Virginia, Nov. 14 [Category: Aerospace] -- The Aerospace Industries Association posted the following news release:
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AIA's Eric Fanning in the Washington Times: Why Right-to-Repair Threatens Defense Innovation and Readiness
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Arlington, VA - In case you missed it, Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) President and CEO Eric Fanning penned an op-ed in the Washington Times urging Congress to reject "right-to-repair" provisions in this year's National Defense Authorization Act, warning they could harm innovation.
"On paper, these provisions sound reasonable: give the Pentagonand third parties broad access to contractors' proprietary intellectual property (IP) to fix and maintain equipment," Fanning writes. "But this approach won't solve our readiness problems, and it could cripple the very innovation our warfighters rely on."
In the op-ed, Fanning underscores the importance of protecting intellectual property, especially for small and mid-sized companiesthe backbone of America's defense industrial base. "They rely on IP protections to justify the high costs of developing advanced technologies," he continues.
Fanning finishes by encouraging Congress to focus on making reforms that address the root causes of sustainment challenges. "Let's double down on what works: invest in workforce development, modernize infrastructure, and strengthen supply chains. The Pentagon already has the tools to get the IP it needslet's use them more effectively, not create new mandates that undermine innovation."
Read the full op-ed here.
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Original text here: https://www.aia-aerospace.org/news/aias-eric-fanning-in-the-washington-times-why-right-to-repair-threatens-defense-innovation-and-readiness/
