Featured Stories
U.S. Chamber Welcomes Section 301 Investigation into German Drug Pricing
WASHINGTON, June 19 [Category: Business] -- The U.S. Chamber of Commerce posted the following news release:
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U.S. Chamber Welcomes Section 301 Investigation into German Drug Pricing
Marjorie A. Chorlins, Senior Vice President for Europe at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, issued the following statement in response to USTR's announcement of a Section 301 investigation on Germany's drug pricing policies:
"The U.S. Chamber welcomes USTR's decision to examine whether Germany's drug pricing policies unfairly undervalue American innovation. The goal of the Section 301 investigation should be to
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WASHINGTON, June 19 [Category: Business] -- The U.S. Chamber of Commerce posted the following news release:
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U.S. Chamber Welcomes Section 301 Investigation into German Drug Pricing
Marjorie A. Chorlins, Senior Vice President for Europe at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, issued the following statement in response to USTR's announcement of a Section 301 investigation on Germany's drug pricing policies:
"The U.S. Chamber welcomes USTR's decision to examine whether Germany's drug pricing policies unfairly undervalue American innovation. The goal of the Section 301 investigation should be tosecure concrete reforms through bilateral engagement with Germany, rather than the imposition of new tariffs or other trade restrictions that harm the U.S. economy. Achieving a more balanced approach to valuing pharmaceutical innovation is critical to preserving U.S. leadership in life sciences, strengthening the transatlantic economy, and sustaining investment in the next generation of life-saving treatments for patients on both sides of the Atlantic."
Background on the U.S.-German economic and strategic partnership: The Chamber has long supported the strong economic and strategic partnership between the United States and Germany, which is rooted in a shared commitment to strengthening innovation, fostering partnership, and free enterprise. That partnership works best when benefits-and costs-are shared fairly. For decades, many of America's trading partners have benefited from groundbreaking medicines developed by U.S. innovators while maintaining pricing policies that do not appropriately reflect their value, shifting a disproportionate share of global pharmaceutical R&D costs onto American patients and companies.
The recent U.S.-UK arrangement demonstrates that longstanding pharmaceutical pricing and market access issues can be resolved through constructive engagement.
About the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business organization representing companies of all sizes across every sector of the economy. Our members range from the small businesses and local chambers of commerce that line the Main Streets of America to leading industry associations and large corporations.
They all share one thing: They count on the U.S. Chamber to be their voice in Washington, across the country, and around the world. For more than 100 years, we have advocated for pro-business policies that help businesses create jobs and grow our economy.
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Original text here: https://www.uschamber.com/international/u-s-chamber-welcomes-section-301-investigation-into-german-drug-pricing
NACDS Urges CMS to Make Pharmacies Central to Modernizing Prior Authorization and Advancing Interoperability
ARLINGTON, Virginia, June 19 -- The National Association of Chain Drug Stores posted the following news release:
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NACDS Urges CMS to Make Pharmacies Central to Modernizing Prior Authorization and Advancing Interoperability
In comments to the agency, NACDS calls for reforms that work within real-world pharmacy workflows -- reducing the administrative burdens that delay patients' access to their medications.
NACDS' consistent engagement on interoperability issues is part of the Association's bold commitment to fostering innovations essential for the future of pharmacies and for advancing
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ARLINGTON, Virginia, June 19 -- The National Association of Chain Drug Stores posted the following news release:
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NACDS Urges CMS to Make Pharmacies Central to Modernizing Prior Authorization and Advancing Interoperability
In comments to the agency, NACDS calls for reforms that work within real-world pharmacy workflows -- reducing the administrative burdens that delay patients' access to their medications.
NACDS' consistent engagement on interoperability issues is part of the Association's bold commitment to fostering innovations essential for the future of pharmacies and for advancingAmericans' health and wellness.
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The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on a proposed rule on prior authorization for prescription drugs and interoperability (CMS-0062-P), urging the agency to ensure the proposals work within real-world pharmacy workflows and reduce the administrative burdens that delay patient access to medications.
NACDS supports CMS' goal of expanding electronic prior authorization, advancing data exchange, and reducing administrative burden. However, the Association cautioned that the proposal remains oriented around payers and prescribers without fully accounting for pharmacies -- the very setting where coverage and prior authorization barriers are most acutely encountered.
"NACDS appreciates CMS' leadership in advancing interoperability and prior authorization reform, and we support the rule's overall direction," said NACDS President and CEO Steven C. Anderson, FASAE, CAE, IOM. "But to deliver meaningful improvement for patients, the final rule must do more than expand data exchange requirements -- it must ensure those requirements work in real-world workflows, particularly in pharmacy settings where coverage requirements and patient care needs converge."
In its comments, NACDS recommended that CMS:
* Integrate pharmacies into the data ecosystem, ensuring new interoperability tools are usable within pharmacy systems and recognize pharmacists in their dual role -- both as dispensers and as providers of clinical services.
* Make prior authorization actionable, requiring real-time information with clear next steps so pharmacists are not left making phone calls, resubmitting requests, and chasing down prescribers and payers to move a prescription forward.
* Make denial reasons useful, requiring them to be standardized and actionable so pharmacists can immediately determine how to proceed rather than initiating another round of manual follow-up.
* Reflect pharmacy's real-world starting point, recognizing that pharmacies were largely excluded from the federal incentives that advanced health IT in other care settings, and providing for flexible, phased implementation and realistic timelines that match where pharmacy systems stand.
* Protect continuity of care, requiring reliable, redundant systems and fallback processes so pharmacies can keep serving patients when other systems go down.
* Strengthen care coordination, including pharmacies in electronic event notifications around hospital admissions and discharges, and making patients' prior treatment history portable so they are not forced to repeat therapies that have already failed them when they change plans.
"Pharmacists are frequently the first to identify a coverage barrier and the closest point of contact for the patient who needs their medication," Anderson said. "When information is not actionable, that burden falls on pharmacy teams -- and on patients. Reform should reduce that burden and improve access, not simply shift it downstream."
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Original text here: https://www.nacds.org/nacds-urges-cms-to-make-pharmacies-central-to-modernizing-prior-authorization-and-advancing-interoperability/
[Category: Business]
Military Officers Association: Another Big Step Forward for Duty Status Reform
WASHINGTON, June 19 -- The Military Officers Association of America issued the following news:
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Another Big Step Forward for Duty Status Reform
By: Kevin Lilley
More lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have joined MOAA and fellow stakeholders in advancing long-overdue duty status reform for the reserve component.
A bipartisan Senate bill (S. 4801) introduced June 16 would reduce the existing 30 duty statuses to just four - a move to eliminate a confusing classification process and streamline orders these servicemembers receive and the earned benefits that accompany each order. Sens.
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WASHINGTON, June 19 -- The Military Officers Association of America issued the following news:
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Another Big Step Forward for Duty Status Reform
By: Kevin Lilley
More lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have joined MOAA and fellow stakeholders in advancing long-overdue duty status reform for the reserve component.
A bipartisan Senate bill (S. 4801) introduced June 16 would reduce the existing 30 duty statuses to just four - a move to eliminate a confusing classification process and streamline orders these servicemembers receive and the earned benefits that accompany each order. Sens.Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) sponsored the legislation; the House version, sponsored by Reps. Jack Bergman (R-Mich.) and Gil Cisneros (D-Calif.), was introduced in January.
"This legislation enhances and simplifies the Pentagon's access to the reserve force, helping improve mission readiness, and amplifying force posture across the spectrum of reserve components," said Lt. Col. Susie Dunham, USAF (Ret), MOAA's director of Government Relations for Currently Serving Affairs, at a June 17 press conference in Washington, D.C., announcing the Senate bill.
Other supporting organizations include the National Guard Association of the United States (which hosted the press event), the Reserve Organization of America, the enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States, With Honor, and the American Legion.
A Straightforward Approach
Instead of the piecemeal approach to the current duty status system - parts of which have been added and revamped over decades - the legislation would create four basic categories:
* Contingency Duty, covering active service in a military action, a natural disaster, or similar activities.
* Training and Support, covering other types of active service.
* Reserve Component Duty, covering "partial-day duty" such as flight training, administrative work, and funeral support.
* Remote Assignments, covering online learning and similar virtual duties.
The move to streamline duty statuses also directly benefits the warfighter, Dunham explained, closing gaps in delivering earned benefits, including health care, education, and housing.
"Our reserve forces are too critical to the mission to be slowed down by an outdated duty status system," Dunham said. "MOAA stands firmly behind duty status reform ... and we look forward to working with Congress and our partners to get it over the finish line."
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Lilley serves as MOAA's digital content manager. His duties include producing, editing, and managing content for a variety of platforms, with a concentration on The MOAA Newsletter and MOAA.org.
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Original text here: https://www.moaa.org/content/publications-and-media/news-articles/2026-news-articles/benefits/another-big-step-forward-for-duty-status-reform/
[Category: National Defense]
LEI for Australia Rose in April
NEW YORK, June 19 -- The Conference Board issued the following news release:
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LEI for Australia Rose in April
Using the Composite Indexes: The Leading Economic Index (LEI) provides an early indication of significant turning points in the business cycle and where the economy is heading in the near term. The Coincident Economic Index (CEI) provides an indication of the current state of the economy. Additional details are below.
This month's release of the composite economic indexes incorporates annual benchmark revisions which bring them up-to-date with revisions in the source data. These
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NEW YORK, June 19 -- The Conference Board issued the following news release:
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LEI for Australia Rose in April
Using the Composite Indexes: The Leading Economic Index (LEI) provides an early indication of significant turning points in the business cycle and where the economy is heading in the near term. The Coincident Economic Index (CEI) provides an indication of the current state of the economy. Additional details are below.
This month's release of the composite economic indexes incorporates annual benchmark revisions which bring them up-to-date with revisions in the source data. Theserevisions do not change the cyclical properties of the indexes. The indexes are updated throughout the year, but only for the previous six months. Data revisions that fall outside of the moving six-month window are not incorporated until the benchmark revision is made and the entire histories of the indexes are recomputed. As a result, the revised indexes, in levels and month-on-month changes, will not be directly comparable to those issued prior to the benchmark revision.
For more information, please visit conference-board.org/topics/business-cycle-indicators/ or contact us at indicators@tcb.org.
The Conference Board Leading Economic Index (r) (LEI) for Australia increased by 0.3% in April 2026 to 116.7 (2016=100), partially reversing a 0.7% decline in March. Over the period from October 2025 to April 2026, the LEI for Australia increased by 0.8%, slowing from a rate of 2.0% growth recorded between April and October 2025.
The Conference Board Coincident Economic Index (r) (CEI) for Australia inched down by 0.1% in April 2026 to 119.5 (2016=100), following an increase of 0.2% in March. Over the period from October 2025 to April 2026, the CEI rose by 0.3%, smaller rate of growth than 0.8% increase observed between April and October 2025.
The next release is scheduled for Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at 10:30 A.M. ET.
The Australia LEI rose moderately in April
All components of the Australia LEI showed a mild recovery in April
Despite some softening, the positive annual growth rate of the Australia LEI continues to suggest economic growth going forward
The composite business cycle indexes pre- and post- benchmark revisions: 1960-present
About The Conference Board Leading Economic Index(r) (LEI) and Coincident Economic Index(r) (CEI) for Australia
The composite economic indexes are key elements in an analytic system designed to signal peaks and troughs in the business cycle. Comprised of multiple independent indicators, the indexes are constructed to summarize and reveal common turning points in the economy in a clearer and more convincing manner than any individual component.
The CEI reflects current economic conditions and is highly correlated with real GDP. The LEI is a predictive tool that anticipates-or "leads"-turning points in the business cycle by around seven months.
The seven components of Leading Economic Index(r) for Australia are:
* Yield Spread, 10Y - Policy Rate
* Share Prices, All Ordinaries S&P/ASX 200
* Money Supply, M3
* Building Approvals
* Rural Goods Exports
* Non-Farm Sector, Sale to Inventories Ratio
* Gross Operating Surplus, Private Non-Financial Corp.
The four components of the Coincident Economic Index(r) for Australia are:
* Employment
* Household Income
* Industrial Production
* Retail Trade
To access data, please visit: https://data-central.conference-board.org/
About The Conference Board
The Conference Board is the Member-driven think tank that delivers Trusted Insights for What's Ahead (r) (r). Founded in 1916, we are a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization holding 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt status in the United States. TCB.org l Learn about Membership
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Original text here: https://www.conference-board.org/topics/business-cycle-indicators/australia
BoatUS Foundation Calls on Boaters to Take Action on Abandoned Vessels This Boating Season
SPRINGFIELD, Virginia, June 19 -- Boat Owners Association of the U.S. issued the following news release:
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BoatUS Foundation Calls on Boaters to Take Action on Abandoned Vessels This Boating Season
Nationwide reporting of abandoned vessels help drive safer, cleaner waterways
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This summer, the BoatUS Foundation is urging boaters and coastal residents to help address the issue of abandoned and derelict vessels (ADVs) by reporting them through the nation's only and first of its kind national abandoned vessel database.
Built to turn individual sightings into collective action, each report
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SPRINGFIELD, Virginia, June 19 -- Boat Owners Association of the U.S. issued the following news release:
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BoatUS Foundation Calls on Boaters to Take Action on Abandoned Vessels This Boating Season
Nationwide reporting of abandoned vessels help drive safer, cleaner waterways
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This summer, the BoatUS Foundation is urging boaters and coastal residents to help address the issue of abandoned and derelict vessels (ADVs) by reporting them through the nation's only and first of its kind national abandoned vessel database.
Built to turn individual sightings into collective action, each reportstrengthens a national understanding of the issue, empowering communities, agencies, and advocates to identify risks, prioritize removals, and accelerate efforts to keep waterways clean.
Abandoned boats cause significant damage to waterways, crushing seagrass and coral habitats, leaking fuel and pollutants, blocking navigation channels, and putting other boaters at risk. With removal costs averaging $24,000 or more depending on the size, location and condition of the vessel, identifying where they are is a critical first step to getting them out of the water.
"Boaters now have an easy way to take action when they encounter an abandoned vessel," said Alanna Keating, Director of Outreach for the BoatUS Foundation. "By reporting a vessel, a boater is taking the first step to help give communities and agencies the information they need to prioritize cleanups and stop the problem before it grows."
To report an abandoned or derelict vessel, boaters can visit https://boatus.org/database. Once on the site, users can upload an optional photo, log the date and time of the sighting, answer a brief set of safety and vessel-related questions, and pinpoint the vessel's exact location on an interactive map.
The database is part of BoatUS Foundation's national initiative to remove hundreds of ADVs from coastal waterways, supported by a 2023 award from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric (NOAA) Marine Debris Program. This initiative also supports targeted ADV removals in eight states and territories, as well as a national summit on sustainable disposal solutions for ADVs, called Turning the Tide Summit.
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ABOUT THE BOATUS FOUNDATION:
BoatUS Foundation is supporting projects that were selected through their nationally competitive grant program for the removal of abandoned and derelict vessels throughout coastal and marine areas of the United States, including the Great Lakes, U.S. territories, and Freely Associated States. This project is supported by a 2023 award from the NOAA Marine Debris Program. In an effort to help educate and prevent future ADVs, the Foundation also created a national ADV database to track the scope of the challenge and measure success, document ADV prevention and removal activities to share with the public, and support a national dialogue and education efforts on boating-related debris disposal.
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Original text here: https://www.boatus.com/news-room/release/boatus-foundation-calls-on-boaters-to-take-ac
[Category: Travel]
Airlines for America Announces Marco Sylvester as Senior Vice President, International Affairs
WASHINGTON, June 19 -- Airlines for America issued the following news:
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Airlines for America Announces Marco Sylvester as Senior Vice President, International Affairs
Airlines for America (A4A), the industry trade organization for the leading U.S. airlines, announced that Marco Sylvester has joined the organization as Senior Vice President of International Affairs.
In this role, Sylvester will lead A4A's international policy strategy and engagement, working with global stakeholders to advance the priorities of U.S. airlines and promote a safe, competitive and sustainable international
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WASHINGTON, June 19 -- Airlines for America issued the following news:
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Airlines for America Announces Marco Sylvester as Senior Vice President, International Affairs
Airlines for America (A4A), the industry trade organization for the leading U.S. airlines, announced that Marco Sylvester has joined the organization as Senior Vice President of International Affairs.
In this role, Sylvester will lead A4A's international policy strategy and engagement, working with global stakeholders to advance the priorities of U.S. airlines and promote a safe, competitive and sustainable internationalaviation system.
"Marco brings a deep understanding of both transportation policy and international affairs at a pivotal moment for our industry," said A4A President and CEO Gov. Chris Sununu. "His experience across government and the private sector will be invaluable as we continue to advocate for policies that further strengthens U.S. aviation leadership around the world."
Sylvester most recently served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, where he led international aviation negotiations and worked closely with foreign governments to advance U.S. transportation interests.
Previously, he was a Senior Policy Advisor at Venable LLP, advising clients across the transportation sector, including airlines and emerging transportation technology companies. Earlier in his career, Sylvester served as Senior Advisor to the Chief of Staff in the Office of the Secretary of Transportation at the U.S. Department of Transportation and as a Legislative Assistant to Congressman Robert Pittenger, where he managed the transportation and foreign affairs portfolio.
Sylvester is originally from West Hartford, Connecticut, and holds a bachelor's degree in political science from Northeastern University.
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Original text here: https://www.airlines.org/news-update/airlines-for-america-announces-marco-sylvester-as-senior-vice-president-international-affairs/
[Category: Transportation]
Air Line Pilots Association International: Frontier Pilots Elect MEC Chair
MCLEAN, Virginia, June 19 -- The Air Line Pilots Association International issued the following news release on June 18, 2026:
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Frontier Pilots Elect MEC Chair
DENVER, Colo. -- Yesterday, the Frontier pilot leadership, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int'l (ALPA), elected Capt. Bob Masse as the MEC chair to complete the term vacated in April and ending on March 31, 2027.
"As we continue our fight for a fair and equitable contract, it is more important than ever for all Frontier pilots to stand unified," said Capt. Masse. "I am committed to working with our local representatives,
... Show Full Article
MCLEAN, Virginia, June 19 -- The Air Line Pilots Association International issued the following news release on June 18, 2026:
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Frontier Pilots Elect MEC Chair
DENVER, Colo. -- Yesterday, the Frontier pilot leadership, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int'l (ALPA), elected Capt. Bob Masse as the MEC chair to complete the term vacated in April and ending on March 31, 2027.
"As we continue our fight for a fair and equitable contract, it is more important than ever for all Frontier pilots to stand unified," said Capt. Masse. "I am committed to working with our local representatives,committee chairs, and every Frontier pilot as we chart a path forward and achieve the contract that Frontier pilots have earned."
Capt. Masse has been with Frontier Airlines since 2016 and is based in Cleveland, Ohio. He currently serves as the Merger Committee chair. Prior to joining Frontier, he was a pilot with Midway Airlines, an ALPA carrier, and flew business jets worldwide. He also served two terms as a trustee on his local school board, including being the liaison for union contract negotiations.
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Founded in 1931, ALPA is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents more than 80,000 pilots at 42 U.S. and Canadian airlines, including the more than 2,200 Frontier pilots. Visit ALPA.org or follow us on X @ALPAPilots.
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Original text here: https://www.alpa.org/press-room/2026/06/frontier-pilots-elect-mec-chair
[Category: Transportation]
