Featured Stories
National Small Business Association: Senate Committee Advances Keith Sonderling's Nomination for Secretary of Labor
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 -- The National Small Business Association issued the following news:
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Senate Committee Advances Keith Sonderling's Nomination for Secretary of Labor
Sonderling's advancement to the full Senate positions the Department of Labor to continue pursuing a more flexible, employer-focused regulatory agenda, an approach aligned with NSBA's longstanding support for clear, practical rules to reduce unnecessary compliance burdens on small businesses.
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This week, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee voted 12-11 along party lines to advance the nomination
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 -- The National Small Business Association issued the following news:
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Senate Committee Advances Keith Sonderling's Nomination for Secretary of Labor
Sonderling's advancement to the full Senate positions the Department of Labor to continue pursuing a more flexible, employer-focused regulatory agenda, an approach aligned with NSBA's longstanding support for clear, practical rules to reduce unnecessary compliance burdens on small businesses.
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This week, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee voted 12-11 along party lines to advance the nominationof Keith Sonderling to serve as U.S. Secretary of Labor. Sonderling, who is currently serving as Acting Secretary of Labor, will now move to the full Senate for consideration.
Sonderling brings extensive experience in federal labor and employment policy, including previous service at the Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division and as a commissioner of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. His nomination draws support from business groups pointing to his regulatory experience and familiarity with employer compliance issues.
For small-business owners, Sonderling's advancement aligns with actioning small-business priority issues (https://www.nsbaadvocate.org/hhrissuebriefs), including regulatory flexibility, agency efficiency, and reducing unnecessary compliance burdens for employers. NSBA supports practical, predictable labor policies providing small businesses the clarity and flexibility needed to hire, grow, and compete while maintaining strong workplace standards.
Awaiting a full Senate vote for Sonderling's final confirmation, NSBA will continue monitoring the nomination and engaging with the Department of Labor on policies affecting America's small-business employers.
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Original text here: https://www.nsbaadvocate.org/post/nsba-news-senate-committee-advances-keith-sonderling-s-nomination-for-secretary-of-labor
[Category: Business]
American Fintech Council Urges Senate HELP Committee to Pass Bipartisan Legislation Combatting Identity Fraud in Federal Student Aid
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 -- The American Fintech Council, an organization that says it promotes a transparent, inclusive and customer-centric financial system, issued the following news release:
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American Fintech Council (AFC) Urges Senate HELP Committee to Pass Bipartisan Legislation Combatting Identity Fraud in Federal Student Aid
Letter emphasizes AFC's support for S. 4428, the No Aid for Ghost Students Act of 2026, to safeguard educational resources for legitimate borrowers and institutions
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The American Fintech Council (AFC), the largest industry association representing both responsible
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 -- The American Fintech Council, an organization that says it promotes a transparent, inclusive and customer-centric financial system, issued the following news release:
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American Fintech Council (AFC) Urges Senate HELP Committee to Pass Bipartisan Legislation Combatting Identity Fraud in Federal Student Aid
Letter emphasizes AFC's support for S. 4428, the No Aid for Ghost Students Act of 2026, to safeguard educational resources for legitimate borrowers and institutions
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The American Fintech Council (AFC), the largest industry association representing both responsiblefintech companies and innovative banks, submitted a letter to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) expressing strong support for S. 4428, the No Aid for Ghost Students Act of 2026. This bipartisan legislation would require the Department of Education to implement identity fraud detection systems when reviewing Free Applications for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) submissions and halt disbursements to flagged applicants until their identities can be verified.
"This pragmatic legislation strikes a balance between ensuring eligible students retain access to financial assistance and stopping bad actors seeking to defraud students," said Phil Goldfeder, CEO of the American Fintech Council. "By establishing consistent detection, verification, and oversight requirements, Congress can protect taxpayers and educational institutions while ensuring federal funds reach the students who need them to pursue higher education."
Introduced by Senators Moody, Hassan, and Tuberville, S. 4428 establishes consistent detection, verification, reporting, auditing, and oversight requirements to identify suspicious applications to make sure federal funds are not improperly distributed. AFC notes that the House of Representatives has already passed companion legislation, H.R. 7892, and urges the Senate HELP Committee to report S. 4428 favorably and pass the bill without delay.
"As identity fraud schemes grow increasingly sophisticated, traditional verification systems simply cannot keep pace with the bad actors seeking to exploit the student aid pipeline," said Ian P. Moloney, Chief Policy Officer at the American Fintech Council. "Fraudulent applicants employing fabricated or stolen identities divert limited federal resources, impose substantial administrative and financial burdens on institutions of higher education, and undermine confidence in programs that enable millions of Americans to pursue educational and economic opportunity."
AFC has long advocated for pragmatic reforms to the Federal Student Aid program, including calling on the Office of Federal Student Aid in October 2024 to remedy technological issues impacting data access for loan servicers. While technical challenges persist, AFC emphasizes the critical need for legislative solutions to address sophisticated identity fraud and offers to serve as a resource for lawmakers on responsible identity verification practices.
A standards-based organization, the American Fintech Council (AFC) is the largest and most diverse trade association representing financial technology (fintech) companies and innovative banks. On behalf of over 150 member companies and partners, AFC promotes a transparent, inclusive, and customer-centric financial system by supporting responsible innovation in financial services and encouraging sound public policy. AFC members foster competition in consumer finance and pioneer products to better serve underserved consumer segments and geographies.
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Original text here: https://www.fintechcouncil.org/press-releases/american-fintech-council-afc-urges-senate-help-committee-to-pass-bipartisan-legislation-combatting-identity-fraud-in-federal-student-aid
[Category: Financial Services]
State Opens Applications For $40 Million Rural Health Infrastructure Program
JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri, July 31 [Category: Health Care] -- The Missouri Hospital Association posted the following news:
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State Opens Applications For $40 Million Rural Health Infrastructure Program
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The Missouri Department of Social Services issued an Invitation for Bid (IFB #DSS26015) for the Smart Growth and Service Line Modification (Horizon 2) program through the state's Rural Health Transformation Program known as Transformation of Rural Community Health (ToRCH) Care.
This funding opportunity offers individual grants of up to $5 million for one-time infrastructure investments
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JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri, July 31 [Category: Health Care] -- The Missouri Hospital Association posted the following news:
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State Opens Applications For $40 Million Rural Health Infrastructure Program
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The Missouri Department of Social Services issued an Invitation for Bid (IFB #DSS26015) for the Smart Growth and Service Line Modification (Horizon 2) program through the state's Rural Health Transformation Program known as Transformation of Rural Community Health (ToRCH) Care.
This funding opportunity offers individual grants of up to $5 million for one-time infrastructure investmentsin maternal health, behavioral health or diagnostics/outpatient care, with nearly $40 million available overall during program years 1 and 2, pending budget approval by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Funding cannot be used for new construction, demolition, major facility expansions, cosmetic upgrades or routine operating expenses.
A pre-proposal teleconference for the Horizon 2 IFB will be held at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11. Hospital staff interested in attending should email Dirk.Elrod@dss.mo.gov for a meeting invitation. Bids are due by 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28, to DSS via Dirk Elrod. Organizations must register on the MissouriBuys portal to apply.
This new opportunity is different from the Strategic Minor Renovations (Horizon 1) program, which is still pending award. The Missouri Hospital Association anticipates that Horizon 1 award information will be released well in advance of the Horizon 2 due date and has asked the state to share additional context as quickly as possible when available.
For more information, visit Missouri's Rural Health Transformation Program website.
About the Rural Health Transformation Program
The Rural Health Transformation Program, created under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), is a landmark federal initiative to strengthen rural Americans' health care access and outcomes through sustainability and innovation. Beginning in 2026, the program provides $50 billion over five years, divided equally between state-distributed funds and competitive grants to states awarded by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Missouri's state-led initiative, known as Transformation of Rural Community Health (ToRCH) Care and coordinated by the MO HealthNet Division within the Missouri Department of Social Services, received a $216 million award from CMS for the first year of the program. ToRCH Care is expected to build local partnerships, expand care coordination and build capacity through a "community hub" model. Rural hospitals, clinics and provider networks are expected to be the primary recipients of these funds. These investments are especially critical as hospitals face future reductions in Medicaid state-directed payments and provider tax matching rates, which disproportionately impact rural hospitals. Members can stay up to date on ToRCH Care and other Rural Health Transformation Program news, funding opportunities and resources on MHA's Rural Health Transformation Program webpage.
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Original text here: https://www.mohospitals.org/newsroom/state-opens-applications-for-40-million-rural-health-infrastructure-program
National Alliance for Care at Home Responds to FY 2027 Hospice Final Rule
ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, July 31 -- The National Alliance for Care at Home issued the following news release:
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National Alliance for Care at Home Responds to FY 2027 Hospice Final Rule
The National Alliance for Care at Home (the Alliance) today responded to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) fiscal year (FY) 2027 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update final rule, which finalizes payment and regulatory changes under the Medicare hospice benefit.
CMS finalized a 2.3% payment update to the Medicare hospice benefit, which continues to fall short of the rising labor and supply
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ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, July 31 -- The National Alliance for Care at Home issued the following news release:
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National Alliance for Care at Home Responds to FY 2027 Hospice Final Rule
The National Alliance for Care at Home (the Alliance) today responded to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) fiscal year (FY) 2027 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update final rule, which finalizes payment and regulatory changes under the Medicare hospice benefit.
CMS finalized a 2.3% payment update to the Medicare hospice benefit, which continues to fall short of the rising labor and supplycosts required to deliver high-quality hospice care. As demand for hospice services continues to grow, payment updates must more accurately reflect providers' costs so that access to these essential services does not decline.
"CMS's 2.3% payment update does not reflect the true cost of delivering hospice care and adds further strain to providers who are already stretched thin," said Jennifer Sheets, CEO of the Alliance. "Compounding that pressure is a Service and Spending Variation Index built on a fundamentally flawed methodology that penalizes legitimate providers for non-hospice claims they have no visibility into nor control over, with no process to review or correct the data before it is made public. This is not a sound approach to program integrity. An inadequate payment update combined with an unreliable oversight tool creates a serious and growing burden for legitimate providers working to serve their communities."
The Alliance remains deeply concerned about CMS's Hospice Service and Spending Variation Index (SSVI). As stated in prior comments, provider-level SSVI data is not suitable for targeting oversight or enforcement due to fundamental validity and methodological problems, and hospices have little to no insight into claims submitted by non-hospice providers that drive these scores. The Alliance is particularly troubled that CMS finalized the SSVI without a reconsideration process or preview period, despite the hospice community's explicit request for the chance to review and validate data before a score is made public. This concern is compounded by the rule's new public-facing icon on the Medicare.gov Compare Tool flagging hospices for quality reporting gaps, layering a consumer-facing penalty on top of an already-contested measurement tool, with no mechanism to correct inaccurate data first. The Alliance urges CMS to exclude non-hospice spending claims and revise the SSVI in partnership with the hospice community before using it for program integrity enforcement.
The Alliance also recognizes CMS's efforts to improve transparency for Medicare hospice beneficiaries through an election statement addendum requirement but remains concerned that the requirement to provide the addendum to all beneficiaries does not address the true driver of non-hospice spending while unnecessarily increasing hospice provider burden. CMS should enforce existing documentation and payment requirements against non-hospice billing providers and require those providers to obtain and maintain documentation supporting the medical necessity and unrelated nature of these services, items, or drugs. The Alliance also recommends that CMS address the broader operational and coverage issues that contribute to these spending patterns, including delays in hospice election data visibility and the benefit framework gap for non-covered items, services and drugs. Without these steps, the Alliance warns that a universal addendum requirement will increase burden and confusion while leaving the central payment integrity problem unresolved.
The Alliance will continue to advocate for a Medicare hospice payment system that reflects the true cost of care and a program integrity framework built on credible, evidence-based methods. We remain committed to fighting for the resources hospices need and the protections patients and families deserve.
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About the National Alliance for Care at Home
The National Alliance for Care at Home (the Alliance) is the leading authority in advancing care in the home. We envision an America where everyone has access to the highest quality, person-centered healthcare wherever they call home. Through advocacy, education, and convening, we connect providers and stakeholders to strengthen care delivery across the home-based care continuum -- spanning home care, home health, hospice, palliative care, and Medicaid home and community-based services. Learn more at www.AllianceForCareAtHome.org.
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Original text here: https://allianceforcareathome.org/national-alliance-for-care-at-home-responds-to-fy-2027-hospice-final-rule/
[Category: Health Care]
History Is Made: Arkansas Allows Counselors to Practice Across State Lines
ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, July 31 -- The American Counseling Association issued the following news release:
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History Is Made: Arkansas Allows Counselors to Practice Across State Lines
As part of the historic interstate Counseling Compact agreement, Arkansas is the latest state that can now start granting privileges to licensed professional counselors to practice across state lines. Currently, other states that can grant these privileges include Arizona, Minnesota, Ohio, Louisiana, Georgia and Indiana, with additional states expected to begin granting privileges in coming months.
The compact
... Show Full Article
ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, July 31 -- The American Counseling Association issued the following news release:
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History Is Made: Arkansas Allows Counselors to Practice Across State Lines
As part of the historic interstate Counseling Compact agreement, Arkansas is the latest state that can now start granting privileges to licensed professional counselors to practice across state lines. Currently, other states that can grant these privileges include Arizona, Minnesota, Ohio, Louisiana, Georgia and Indiana, with additional states expected to begin granting privileges in coming months.
The compactis a legislative agreement that functions much like a driver's license -- participating states agree to recognize the license of all eligible counselors from other compact states, allowing them a privilege to practice in person or via telehealth. Previously, counselors had difficulty transferring their licenses to another state because of independent jurisdictional licensing rules and regulations.
The Counseling Compact represents the biggest change in the counseling profession in 20 years and has the potential to increase access to the estimated 122 million people in the U.S. who live in areas with mental health provider shortages.
The American Counseling Association (ACA) -- the world's largest association exclusively representing an estimated 62,000 professional counselors -- played a lead role in the creation of the compact, investing close to $2 million in the initiative.
To date, 39 states plus the District of Columbia have passed Counseling Compact legislation. They include: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and Washington, D.C.
A state's passage of the Counseling Compact legislation is merely the legal adoption of the agreement authorizing a state or jurisdiction to participate in the compact. Once a state passes the legislation, the next step is to grant privileges to counselors from other compact states to practice across state lines.
To learn more, visit the ACA website and watch a video interview with ACA's Chief of Professional Practice Lynn Linde, EdD, who played a lead role in the creation of the compact.
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About the American Counseling Association
Founded in 1952, the American Counseling Association (ACA) is a not-for-profit, professional and educational organization that is dedicated to the growth and enhancement of the counseling profession. ACA represents more than 62,000 members and is the world's largest association exclusively representing professional counselors in various practice settings. Driven by the belief that all people can benefit from the power of counseling, ACA's mission is to promote the professional development of counselors, advocate for counselors, and ensure that ethical, culturally inclusive practices protect our members' clients and all people who seek counseling services. For more information, visit the ACA website and follow them on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Threads, BlueSky and YouTube.
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Original text here: https://www.counseling.org/publications/media-center/article/2026/07/30/history-is-made-arkansas-allows-counselors-to-practice-across-state-lines
[Category: Psychiatry/Psychology]
American Bus Association Extends President & CEO Fred Ferguson's Contract for Four Years
WASHINGTON, July 31 -- The American Bus Association issued the following news:
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American Bus Association Extends President & CEO Fred Ferguson's Contract for Four Years
With a clearer plan, stronger Hill presence, and measurable Marketplace results, ABA is entering its second century with continuity and purpose.
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The American Bus Association Board of Directors has extended the contract of President & CEO Fred Ferguson for four years, reinforcing the Association's confidence in his leadership as ABA enters its second century and continues advancing a stronger, more connected future for
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WASHINGTON, July 31 -- The American Bus Association issued the following news:
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American Bus Association Extends President & CEO Fred Ferguson's Contract for Four Years
With a clearer plan, stronger Hill presence, and measurable Marketplace results, ABA is entering its second century with continuity and purpose.
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The American Bus Association Board of Directors has extended the contract of President & CEO Fred Ferguson for four years, reinforcing the Association's confidence in his leadership as ABA enters its second century and continues advancing a stronger, more connected future forthe motorcoach, charter bus, group travel, and tourism industries.
Ferguson joined ABA as President & CEO in July 2024, bringing deep experience in public policy, strategic communications, industry relations, and association leadership. At the time of his appointment, ABA Board Chair Terry Fischer emphasized the importance of ensuring members' voices were heard at every level of government and cited Ferguson's advocacy and communications background as central to leading the Association into a new era.
Since then, ABA has moved quickly to sharpen its strategy, expand its advocacy profile, strengthen member engagement, and position the Association for long-term growth. Under Ferguson's leadership, ABA launched its first rolling three-year strategic plan in more than six years, built around core pillars: Advocacy, Operations & Safety, Workforce & Culture, and Marketplace. The plan focuses on expanding Marketplace, re-centering its focus on bus operators, advancing advocacy gains, leading professional development, and amplifying ABA's reputation.
"Fred has brought focus, energy, and discipline to ABA at exactly the right moment," said Terry Fischer, Chair of the ABA Board of Directors and President of TCS. "The Board extended his contract because we see a clear plan being executed, a stronger voice for operators, and a broader industry coming together around shared goals. This extension also provides ABA with the stability and continuity needed to build on that momentum as we enter our second century. Fred's leadership gives us confidence, accountability, and a strong foundation for the road ahead."
ABA's momentum has been visible across the Association. In 2025, ABA was named National Motorcoach and Group Travel Association of the Year, with recognition tied to its advocacy, innovation, member-first culture, strategic planning, reinvigorated Capitol Hill presence, and expanded communications work. The Association also expanded its Board of Directors to 58 seats, including 35 dedicated to bus operators, strengthening representation for operators of all sizes and the broader group travel ecosystem.
The Association has also advanced a more aggressive and coordinated advocacy agenda. Ferguson testified before the U.S. Senate in July 2025 on surface transportation priorities, highlighting the essential role of motorcoaches in intercity travel, charter service, emergency response, military movement, commuting, and rural mobility. In 2026, ABA helped drive bipartisan momentum behind the BUSES Act, a commonsense federal framework for limited operational idling needed for safety, accessibility, and passenger comfort. Ferguson was also recognized by the Washingtonian as one of the region's Top 500 Most Influential People in advocacy and policy, validating the work being done across ABA's advocacy resurgence.
At the same time, ABA Marketplace continues to demonstrate measurable business value. An independent Tourism Economics analysis found that ABA Marketplace 2026 generated an estimated $124.9 million in total sales-based transaction activity, including $49.0 million in business booked directly at the event and $75.9 million in anticipated future business.
"I'm grateful for the trust and confidence of the ABA Board of Directors, and especially thankful to Board Chair Terry Fischer for his mentorship, guidance, and friendship," says Ferguson. "We've built real momentum, but there is much more ahead as we work to deliver on our strategic plan, expand ABA's capabilities and create greater value for our members. I'm excited for what's next and will continue to lead with the same energy and urgency I brought on day one."
ABA's work is supported by a resilient and essential industry. The 2025 Motorcoach Census reported a strong carrier base operating more than 50,000 motorcoaches across the United States and Canada, supporting more than 75,000 direct jobs. A U.S. economic impact analysis found that motorcoach travel in 2024 generated 37.6 billion passenger miles, $69.8 billion in direct spending, $158.0 billion in total economic impact, and 885,496 jobs.
With Ferguson's contract extension, ABA will continue to advance its strategic plan, elevate the value of bus operators, strengthen Marketplace, expand professional development, and ensure the motorcoach and group travel industry has a strong, unified voice in Washington and across North America.
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Original text here: https://www.buses.org/news/american-bus-association-extends-president-ceo-fred-fergusons-contract-for-four-years/
[Category: Transportation]
ACLI Supports the Bipartisan Retirement Simplification and Clarity Act
WASHINGTON, July 31 -- The American Council of Life Insurers issued the following statement on July 30, 2026:
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American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) President and CEO David Chavern made the following comment today on the Retirement Simplification and Clarity Act introduced by Senators Roger Marshall (R-KS) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY):
"Planning for retirement should be easier, not harder. The Retirement Simplification and Clarity Act will give workers and retirees clearer information and access to more options as they plan for their future. Annuities have a unique role to play because
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, July 31 -- The American Council of Life Insurers issued the following statement on July 30, 2026:
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American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) President and CEO David Chavern made the following comment today on the Retirement Simplification and Clarity Act introduced by Senators Roger Marshall (R-KS) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY):
"Planning for retirement should be easier, not harder. The Retirement Simplification and Clarity Act will give workers and retirees clearer information and access to more options as they plan for their future. Annuities have a unique role to play becausethey are the only financial products that can guarantee income for life. This legislation will help more Americans understand that value and make the choices that are right for them."
Read more about the Retirement Simplification and Clarity Act here (https://www.acli.com/-/media/public/pdf/news-and-analysis/news-releases/rsca_s5156_onepager.pdf).
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The American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) is the leading trade association driving public policy and advocacy on behalf of the life insurance industry. 90 million American families rely on the life insurance industry for financial protection and retirement security. ACLI's member companies are dedicated to protecting consumers' financial wellbeing through life insurance, annuities, retirement plans, long-term care insurance, disability income insurance, reinsurance, and dental, vision and other supplemental benefits. ACLI's 275 member companies represent 94 percent of industry assets in the United States.
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Original text here: https://www.acli.com/posting/nr26-041
[Category: Insurance]
