Featured Stories
U.S. Chamber Celebrates One-Year Anniversary of the Working Families Tax Cuts Act
WASHINGTON, July 4 [Category: Business] -- The U.S. Chamber of Commerce posted the following news release:
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U.S. Chamber Celebrates One-Year Anniversary of the Working Families Tax Cuts Act
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WASHINGTON, D.C. \- Today, Neil Bradley, Executive Vice President and Chief Policy Officer at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, issued the following statement marking the one-year anniversary of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, also known as the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, becoming law:
"The Working Families Tax Cuts Act has been a gamechanger for American workers, businesses, and communities," said
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WASHINGTON, July 4 [Category: Business] -- The U.S. Chamber of Commerce posted the following news release:
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U.S. Chamber Celebrates One-Year Anniversary of the Working Families Tax Cuts Act
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WASHINGTON, D.C. \- Today, Neil Bradley, Executive Vice President and Chief Policy Officer at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, issued the following statement marking the one-year anniversary of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, also known as the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, becoming law:
"The Working Families Tax Cuts Act has been a gamechanger for American workers, businesses, and communities," saidBradley. "The U.S. Chamber was proud to help shape this legislation from the start, and for over a year, we have worked alongside state and local chambers to bring small businesses, community leaders, and members of Congress together to discuss the real-world impact of these tax reforms. The message has been consistent: making tax relief permanent has given businesses the certainty to invest, hire, and grow. That has resulted in more opportunities for businesses and workers, stronger communities, and a more competitive American economy."
Over the last year, the Chamber has convened lawmakers, small businesses, and local leaders in communities across the country to see how the Working Families Tax Cuts have created new opportunities for American families, workers, and businesses. To date, the Chamber has hosted nearly one hundred of these events and will continue to do so through the end of the year.
Members of the U.S. Chamber's Small Business Council met with the House Small Business Committee on Capitol Hill to share their stories on how provisions in the new tax law have allowed them to invest in people, equipment, training, and new products and services.
* "One of the things that really mattered to our business was capital expensing. I am in manufacturing and need to invest in new equipment. Making the decision to buy new equipment and deduct it gives us certainty. When [the tax bill] passed, I bought a specialty machine to do complicated welding, which allowed me to take on new businesses I otherwise would not have been able to do all while providing new training opportunities for my employees. My employees and customers are thankful for your work to pass the tax law." - Traci Tapani, Co-President, Wyoming Machine, Inc. in Stacy, MN
* "I am a beverage wholesaler in Montana, the fourth generation of a family-owned business. The new tax law has been a huge help for investing in people. My top three managers retired, and it was tough to find replacements. The new tax law prompted me to promote an existing manager into one of the roles." - Karen Olson-Beenken, President and CEO of Blue Rock Companies in Sidney, MT
Learn more about the U.S. Chamber's Growing America's Future initiative and its continued efforts to champion pro-growth tax policy for American businesses and workers.
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Original text here: https://www.uschamber.com/taxes/u-s-chamber-celebrates-one-year-anniversary-of-the-working-families-tax-cuts-act
Southern Shrimp Alliance Welcomes NOAA Fisheries' Regional Priorities
NEW PORT RICHEY, Florida, July 3 [Category: Food/Beverage] -- The Southern Shrimp Alliance posted the following news release:
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Southern Shrimp Alliance Welcomes NOAA Fisheries' Regional Priorities
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NOAA Commits to Defend the Domestic Shrimp Fleet from Trade Imbalances
Yesterday, NOAA Fisheries announced regional priorities to advance the America-First Seafood Strategy, with a commitment "to defend the domestic shrimp fleet from trade imbalances...". The Southern Shrimp Alliance is grateful to President Trump's Administration for its continued work to ensure that domestic and international
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NEW PORT RICHEY, Florida, July 3 [Category: Food/Beverage] -- The Southern Shrimp Alliance posted the following news release:
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Southern Shrimp Alliance Welcomes NOAA Fisheries' Regional Priorities
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NOAA Commits to Defend the Domestic Shrimp Fleet from Trade Imbalances
Yesterday, NOAA Fisheries announced regional priorities to advance the America-First Seafood Strategy, with a commitment "to defend the domestic shrimp fleet from trade imbalances...". The Southern Shrimp Alliance is grateful to President Trump's Administration for its continued work to ensure that domestic and internationalfood producers are held to the same standards, increasing America's access to high-quality U.S. seafood.
"NOAA's commitment to defend the domestic shrimp fleet from trade imbalances is exactly the kind of action our industry has been seeking," said Blake Price, Executive Director of the Southern Shrimp Alliance. "When American shrimpers compete on a level playing field rather than against unfairly traded imports, consumers get more of what they want -high-quality, sustainable, wild-caught shrimp from nearby waters. That's good for consumers and for the country. Every pound of shrimp our fleet lands here at home is a pound that doesn't rely on opaque foreign supply chains and producers that have flouted our food safety, labor, and environmental standards."
NOAA's announcement of region-specific actions in support of the Executive Order on Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness is the latest move by the Trump Administration that recognizes the importance of rebuilding a domestic seafood supply chains and supporting the fishermen who depend on it.
On April 15, the Trump Administration established a USDA Office of Seafood to integrate seafood into USDA programs available to farmers and ranchers and to align seafood policy across federal agencies. SSA Board Member and Chairman of the North Carolina Fisheries Association Brent Fulcher thanked President Trump for his leadership directly, speaking during an Oval Office press conference on June 11.
Two weeks later, on June 25, President Trump hosted a dinner honoring farmers. Brent was among those invited, a recognition that fishermen are vital food producers alongside the nation's farmers and ranchers. The following morning, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins reiterated the Administration's desire to shift shrimp supply chains from abroad back to the United States.
NOAA Fisheries' regional priorities build on this momentum, announcing concrete commitments from the Department of Commerce agency responsible for stewarding the nation's ocean resources and optimizing the yield of each fishery. The Southern Shrimp Alliance looks forward to continuing to work with NOAA Fisheries, USDA, and the rest of the Trump Administration to ensure that American shrimpers -and the American consumers who depend on them for safe, sustainable, wild-caught shrimp -are no longer forced to compete against a flood of unfairly traded imports.
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Original text here: https://shrimpalliance.com/southern-shrimp-alliance-welcomes-noaa-fisheries-regional-priorities/
Cutting-edge Aviation Technology to Be Featured at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026 on July 21
OSHKOSH, Wisconsin, July 3 -- The Experimental Aircraft Association issued the following news release:
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Cutting-edge aviation technology to be featured at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026 on July 21
Includes Boeing Plaza displays and air show demonstrations
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The future of aviation technology will be highlighted on July 21 as EAA AirVenture Oshkosh continues its annual tradition of featuring the latest innovations as part of displays on Boeing Plaza and demonstrations during the Tuesday air show. The 73rd annual Experimental Aircraft Association fly-in convention is July 20-26 at Wittman Regional
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OSHKOSH, Wisconsin, July 3 -- The Experimental Aircraft Association issued the following news release:
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Cutting-edge aviation technology to be featured at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026 on July 21
Includes Boeing Plaza displays and air show demonstrations
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The future of aviation technology will be highlighted on July 21 as EAA AirVenture Oshkosh continues its annual tradition of featuring the latest innovations as part of displays on Boeing Plaza and demonstrations during the Tuesday air show. The 73rd annual Experimental Aircraft Association fly-in convention is July 20-26 at Wittman RegionalAirport in Oshkosh.
"EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is the focal point of the calendar for the aviation community every year, making it the perfect opportunity for companies to showcase what is on the horizon," said Rick Larsen, EAA's vice president of communities and member programs, who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. "The collection of innovations taking the stage on Tuesday represent just part of where aviation is heading."
Boeing Plaza will be packed with aircraft to celebrate the theme. Currently planned innovation displays for July 21 include BETA Technologies, Bye Aerospace, Jetson, American Drone, MagniX, Zipline, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Airhart Aeronautics, Merlin Labs, Amazon Delivery, and Starlight Productions
In addition to the displays on Boeing Plaza, Bye Aerospace, Jetson, BETA Technologies, American Drone, and ScaleWings will fly during the afternoon air show. Drone delivery company Wing will display the latest developments in its operations at Twilight Flight Fest.
The July 21 air show lineup is subject to change without notice. A full lineup for the show, along with the rest of the week, is available on the Air Show page of the AirVenture website.
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About EAA AirVenture Oshkosh
EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is "The World's Greatest Aviation Celebration" and EAA's membership convention. Additional information, including advance ticket and camping purchase, is available at www.EAA.org/airventure. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 800-JOIN-EAA (800-564-6322) or go to www.EAA.org.
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Original text here: https://www.eaa.org/eaa/about-eaa/eaa-media-room/airventure-news-releases/innovations-day-2026
[Category: Aerospace]
CFA Institute: Mind the Skills Gap - Soft Skills the Biggest Skills Gap Amongst New Career Professionals - Ahead of Even AI Skills
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia, July 3 (TNSxrep) -- The CFA Institute, an association of investment professionals, issued the following news release:
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Mind the skills gap: Soft skills the biggest skills gap amongst new career professionals - ahead of even AI skills
Soft skills have been identified as the biggest gap in new career professionals' skills as they enter the finance industry, according to new research from CFA Institute.
The survey of 500 finance sector professionals in management roles found that soft skills (such as communication, collaboration and teamwork) were the biggest skills
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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia, July 3 (TNSxrep) -- The CFA Institute, an association of investment professionals, issued the following news release:
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Mind the skills gap: Soft skills the biggest skills gap amongst new career professionals - ahead of even AI skills
Soft skills have been identified as the biggest gap in new career professionals' skills as they enter the finance industry, according to new research from CFA Institute.
The survey of 500 finance sector professionals in management roles found that soft skills (such as communication, collaboration and teamwork) were the biggest skillsgap ahead of other skills such as creativity skills (called out by 44 percent of respondents), AI skills (44 percent), quantitative skills (such as data analysis and Excel) (40 percent), and synthesis skills (distilling complex information into clear insights) (22 percent).
The research found that soft skills have also been identified as the skill that makes professionals most employable in the finance industry today (named by 67 percent of respondents). Meanwhile AI skills were called out by only half (49 percent) of respondents. When asked about promotions into more senior roles, soft skills (32 percent) were also identified as the most important as people advance into leadership roles.
The research also found that:
* For professionals newly entering finance careers, financial statement analysis was named the most important technical skill they should be able to perform confidently on "day one" in the role (61 percent). The next important were excel proficiency (51 percent), interpreting financial datasets (36 percent) and using financial data platforms (35 percent).
* AI for finance trailed behind (30 percent).
* Overall, the skillset considered the strongest among new career professionals in finance today was identified as quantitative skills (34 percent).
In a sign of the times, AI skills were considered as emerging as the most important for new career professionals in finance roles (47 percent). And in terms of people's own career progression, AI skills (61 percent) were named as the number one skillset finance professionals are actively developing to reach the next step in their finance careers.
Peter Watkins, Senior Director, University Programmes at CFA Institute, said:
"Being good with numbers alone is not enough: a career in finance is both technical and social. While analytical ability, numerical fluency and problem-solving are obvious requirements, success depends just as much on the ability to communicate findings clearly and work with clients.
Finance encompasses a wide range of career avenues from wealth manager to newer specialties in ESG, blockchain and cybersecurity. It includes employers such as global banks, boutique consultancies, tech companies and the finance divisions of manufacturers. For those who may experience gaps, they can be bridged through coursework and practice, while interpersonal skills can be developed through training or client-facing roles. What is important is the willingness to learn: showing the drive to acquire missing skills is often enough to open doors."
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About CFA Institute
As the global association of investment professionals, CFA Institute sets the standards for professional excellence and credentials. We champion ethical behavior in investment markets and serve as the leading source of learning and research for the investment industry. We believe in fostering an environment where investors' interests come first, markets function at their best, and economies grow. With more than 200,000 charterholders worldwide across more than 160 markets, CFA Institute has 8 offices and 157 local societies. Find us at www.cfainstitute.org or follow us on LinkedIn and subscribe on YouTube.
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Original text here: https://www.cfainstitute.org/about/press-room/2026/mind-skills-gap-soft-skills-biggest-skills-gap-amongst-new-career-professionals-ahead-even-ai-skills
[Category: Financial Services]
American Petroleum Institute: Why Offshore Matters for America's Next 250 Years
WASHINGTON, July 3 -- The American Petroleum Institute posted the following statement on July 1, 2026:
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Why Offshore Matters for America's Next 250 Years
As America approaches its 250th anniversary, instability in the Middle East is a reminder of one of our country's greatest modern achievements: we changed our energy destiny. A generation ago, global disruptions exposed America's dependence on foreign energy. Today, the United States is the world's leading producer of oil and natural gas.
America didn't become an energy superpower by accident. It was built through decades of innovation,
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WASHINGTON, July 3 -- The American Petroleum Institute posted the following statement on July 1, 2026:
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Why Offshore Matters for America's Next 250 Years
As America approaches its 250th anniversary, instability in the Middle East is a reminder of one of our country's greatest modern achievements: we changed our energy destiny. A generation ago, global disruptions exposed America's dependence on foreign energy. Today, the United States is the world's leading producer of oil and natural gas.
America didn't become an energy superpower by accident. It was built through decades of innovation,investment and policies that expanded access to our abundant natural resources. Now, the next federal offshore leasing program will help determine whether that advantage endures well into the 2030s and beyond.
API's American Energy Security Framework identifies strengthening offshore leasing as a key priority for preserving America's long-term energy advantage. This week's American Energy Snapshot explains why.
Today's offshore industry operates under one of the world's most robust safety and operational frameworks. More than 275 API standards and recommended practices help guide offshore design, construction and operations, supporting continuous improvements in safety, reliability and environmental performance.
Built for the Long Term
Shale and offshore production play different -- but complementary -- roles.
Shale production provides speed and flexibility. Offshore production requires years of planning and investment, but delivers large, durable supplies of energy for decades. Together, they create a more resilient energy system.
According to Rystad Energy, a single offshore well can recover more than 10 million barrels of oil equivalent over its lifetime, while a typical Permian shale well produces less than one million barrels. Data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration shows that in 2025 just 18 deepwater facilities accounted for nearly 10% of U.S. crude oil production -- more than the combined output of Oklahoma, Colorado and Wyoming.
America's energy advantage comes from a diverse energy system designed to deliver reliable energy safely and over the long term.
A Strategic National Asset
Offshore production creates value far beyond the barrels it produces.
It supports around 250,000 high-skilled American jobs, generates billions of dollars in public revenue, helps fund conservation through the Land and Water Conservation Fund, and supports American ports, manufacturers and a broad U.S. supply chain.
Today's Leasing Decisions, Tomorrow's Energy
Unlike most onshore production, offshore development depends almost entirely on federal leasing decisions.
Because projects require years of planning, billions of dollars of investment and often produce for decades, today's leasing decisions will help determine how much American energy is available well beyond the 2030s.
The upcoming five-year offshore leasing program is one of the country's most consequential long-term energy policy decisions. API has advocated for opening a relatively small area in the South-Central Gulf that could produce more than 470,000 additional barrels of oil per day by 2040, while leveraging existing infrastructure. Alaska and the Pacific also represent important opportunities to strengthen regional supply security and America's long-term resilience.
The Takeaway
Offshore oil and natural gas production is one of America's greatest strategic assets. It provides reliable energy for decades, supports high-paying American jobs, generates billions of dollars in public revenue and strengthens our ability to respond to future disruptions.
America didn't become an energy superpower by accident -- and it won't remain one by accident. Preserving that advantage requires long-term policy choices today so America has the energy it needs for the next 250 years.
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Original text here: https://www.api.org/news-policy-and-issues/news/2026/07/01/why-offshore-matters-for-america-next-250-years
[Category: Energy]
American Academy of PAs Announces 2026-27 Board of Directors
ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, July 3 -- The American Academy of Physician Associates issued the following news release:
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American Academy of PAs Announces 2026-27 Board of Directors
David J. Bunnell to Serve as President and Chair of the Board
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The American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) Board of Directors began its 2026-27 leadership year on July 1. The board will be led by President and Chair David J. Bunnell, PhD, PA-C, DFAAPA, a dedicated leader with more than 20 years of clinical experience in high-acuity specialties.
Bunnell currently serves as Associate Professor and Director
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ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, July 3 -- The American Academy of Physician Associates issued the following news release:
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American Academy of PAs Announces 2026-27 Board of Directors
David J. Bunnell to Serve as President and Chair of the Board
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The American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) Board of Directors began its 2026-27 leadership year on July 1. The board will be led by President and Chair David J. Bunnell, PhD, PA-C, DFAAPA, a dedicated leader with more than 20 years of clinical experience in high-acuity specialties.
Bunnell currently serves as Associate Professor and Directorof the Doctor of Medical Science program at the University of Maryland School of Graduate Studies. He brings extensive experience in clinical practice and higher education, having championed initiatives that strengthen the physician associate (PA) profession, improve patient access to high-quality care, and help prepare the next generation of PAs.
"I am honored to serve as president and chair of the AAPA Board of Directors and grateful for the trust our members have placed in me," said Bunnell. "As healthcare continues to evolve, PAs are essential to the health of our communities. Every day, PAs expand access to care, strengthen healthcare teams, and improve the lives of patients across the country."
Bunnell has served in numerous leadership positions within AAPA and the Association of PAs in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, where he has helped advance professional development, research, and advocacy efforts. He also served as the chair of the AAPA Governance Commission.
"I look forward to working alongside our members to strengthen the profession, support the next generation of PAs, and advocate for practice environments that enable PAs to contribute fully to patient care," continued Bunnell. "Together, we will continue demonstrating the value PAs bring to patients, healthcare teams, and communities while building the future of our profession together."
Members of AAPA's 2026-27 Board of Directors are:
* President and Chair of the Board: David J. Bunnell, PhD, PA-C, DFAAPA (Ellicott City, Maryland)
* President-elect: Leslie Clayton, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA (Plymouth, Minnesota)
* Immediate Past President: Todd A. Pickard, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA, FASCO (Houston, Texas)
* Vice President and Speaker of the House: Peggy Walsh Sheryka, MS, PA-C, DFAAPA (Centennial, Colorado)
* Secretary-Treasurer: Brendan Lucas, DMSc, PA-C (Gallatin, Tennessee)
* Student Director: Laura Hassan, PA-C (Princess Anne, Maryland)
* Director-at-Large: Daniel Coll, MBA, MHS, PA-C, DFAAPA (Truckee, California)
* Director-at-Large: Paola Gonzalez, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C (Houston, Texas)
* Director-at-Large: Vic Holmes, PA-C, EdD (Plano, Texas)
* Director-at-Large: Rebecca Loveless, MHS, PA-C, DFAAPA (Kirkwood, Missouri)
* Director-at-Large: Brittany Strelow, DMSc, PA-C, MS, DFAAPA (Rochester, Minnesota)
* Director/First Vice Speaker of the House: Rachel Weinzimmer, DMSc, PA-C, CAQ-EM, CPAAPA, DFAAPA (Grand Junction, Colorado)
* Director/Second Vice Speaker of the House: Jeremy Nelson, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, DFAAPA (Iowa City, Iowa)
* Chief Executive Officer: Lisa Gables, CPA (Clifton, Virginia)
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About the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA)
AAPA is the national membership organization for all physician associates/assistants (PAs). PAs are licensed clinicians who practice medicine in every specialty and setting. Trusted, rigorously educated and trained healthcare professionals, PAs are dedicated to expanding access to care and transforming health and wellness through patient-centered, team-based medical practice. Learn more about the profession at aapa.org and engage through Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and X.
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Original text here: https://www.aapa.org/news-central/2026/07/american-academy-of-pas-announces-2026-27-board-of-directors/
[Category: Medical]
AAMC Statement on CY 2027 Hospital OPPS Proposed Rule
WASHINGTON, July 3 -- The Association of American Medical Colleges issued the following statement on July 2, 2026:
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AAMC Statement on CY 2027 Hospital OPPS Proposed Rule
AAMC President and CEO David J. Skorton, MD, issued the following statement on the calendar year (CY) 2027 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) proposed rule released today by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS):
"The AAMC is deeply troubled by provisions in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' proposed CY 2027 hospital OPPS rule released today, which will undermine the ability
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, July 3 -- The Association of American Medical Colleges issued the following statement on July 2, 2026:
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AAMC Statement on CY 2027 Hospital OPPS Proposed Rule
AAMC President and CEO David J. Skorton, MD, issued the following statement on the calendar year (CY) 2027 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) proposed rule released today by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS):
"The AAMC is deeply troubled by provisions in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' proposed CY 2027 hospital OPPS rule released today, which will undermine the abilityof academic health systems, teaching hospitals, and their physician faculty to adequately care for the patients and communities they serve.
The proposed cuts to Medicare reimbursement for hospital outpatient departments, severe reduction in drug reimbursement for 340B hospitals, and the accelerated recoupment of billions of dollars related to previous unlawful 340B hospital payment cuts, would have devastating and enduring effects on access to care for patients across the country. These payment proposals disproportionately affect organizations that care for many of the nation's most medically complex patients, threatening access to critical services and leading to worsening health outcomes.
The four mission areas of academic medicine - clinical care, medical education and training, biomedical research, and community collaborations - are so deeply connected that cuts to one mission, in this case the clinical mission, would harm the effectiveness of the others. Every dollar that is cut from teaching hospitals is a dollar that can no longer support patient care, physician training, or investments in life-saving research.
The AAMC urges CMS not to finalize these proposals as they will harm access to care and the health of patients and communities."
Past AAMC press releases and other media resources are available in the AAMC Press Center.
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The AAMC is a nonprofit association dedicated to improving the health of people everywhere through medical education, clinical care, biomedical research, and community collaborations. Its members are all 163 U.S. medical schools accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education; 13 Canadian medical schools accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of Canadian Medical Schools; nearly 500 academic health systems and teaching hospitals, including Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers; and more than 70 academic societies. Through these institutions and organizations, the AAMC leads and serves America's medical schools, academic health systems and teaching hospitals, and the millions of individuals across academic medicine, including more than 210,000 full-time faculty members, 99,000 medical students, 162,000 resident physicians, and 60,000 graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in the biomedical sciences. Through the Alliance of Academic Health Centers International, AAMC membership reaches more than 60 international academic health centers throughout five regional offices across the globe.
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Original text here: https://www.aamc.org/news/press-releases/aamc-statement-cy-2027-hospital-opps-proposed-rule
[Category: Medical]
