Trade Associations
Here's a look at documents from national and international trade associations
Featured Stories
OSMA Testifies in Support of Insurance Takebacks Legislation
DUBLIN, Ohio, June 4 -- The Ohio State Medical Association issued the following news:
* * *
OSMA Testifies in Support of Insurance Takebacks Legislation
On June 3, OSMA VP of Advocacy Monica Hueckel gave proponent testimony alongside Dr. Marc Antonchak, representing the Ohio Association of Rheumatology, in a hearing of the Ohio House Health Committee. This joint testimony was in support of Substitute Senate Bill 162, which would reduce the burden of the insurer payment audit process on physicians and medical practices.
Sub-SB 162, regarding insurance payment takebacks, unanimously passed out
... Show Full Article
DUBLIN, Ohio, June 4 -- The Ohio State Medical Association issued the following news:
* * *
OSMA Testifies in Support of Insurance Takebacks Legislation
On June 3, OSMA VP of Advocacy Monica Hueckel gave proponent testimony alongside Dr. Marc Antonchak, representing the Ohio Association of Rheumatology, in a hearing of the Ohio House Health Committee. This joint testimony was in support of Substitute Senate Bill 162, which would reduce the burden of the insurer payment audit process on physicians and medical practices.
Sub-SB 162, regarding insurance payment takebacks, unanimously passed outof the Senate in April, and it has now started its journey through the Ohio House. OSMA has supported this legislation since last spring alongside a slate of other key insurance reform initiatives.
As a reminder, this legislation, which is sponsored by Rep. Bill Blessing (R-Colerain Twp.) would:
* Decrease Ohio's current 24-month insurer takeback timeframe, decreasing it to one year. This will give physician practices more predictability and financial stability, which is critical as many operate with limited administrative resources.
* Extend the provider appeal period from 30 to 60 days. This acknowledges how complex and time consuming it can be for providers to respond to takeback determinations, and ensures physicians have a fair chance to submit the necessary documentation.
* Require electronic notification of takebacks when an electronic system exists. This will help streamline communication and reduce unnecessary administrative work for practices, allowing more time to be spent on patient care.
Dr. Marc Antonchak, OSMA physician member and current president of the Ohio Association of Rheumatology, joined Monica Hueckel in joint supportive testimony, telling members of the House Health Committee about the real-world impact of takebacks on medical practices and the patients they serve.
Dr. Antonchak was able to illustrate how disruptive and challenging the takebacks process can be by giving powerful examples of takebacks which occurred from over a year to several years after the payment date. These examples were based on actual experiences of the small, independent practice where he sees patients, and described in plain terms the undue financial and administrative strain that physicians and practice staff face with payment recoupments that occur many months after the care is provided.
"This coupled with the time and effort required to try to appeal takeback determinations interferes with our ability to focus on providing the best possible care to the people in our community who need it," Dr. Antonchak said in testimony. "SB 162 is important to me as a physician in our state as I believe it will truly help alleviate significant administrative burden for us, and allow for more time and resources to go toward patient care."
There are several weeks of legislative session left at the Statehouse before the legislators depart for their summer recess in advance of the November 2026 elections. Sub. SB 162 will continue through the committee hearing process, and must be voted out of committee before it can be voted on by the full House. OSMA is optimistic about the progress of this legislation and continues to push for Sub. SB 162 to advance forward.
* * *
Watch the June 3 hearing of the Ohio House Health Committee here (https://ohiochannel.org/programs/ohio-house-health-committee-6-3-2026).
Or, read a written copy of the testimony here (https://osma.org/aws/OSMA/asset_manager/get_file/952024?ver=1).
* * *
Original text here: https://osma.org/aws/OSMA/pt/sd/news_article/621472/_PARENT/layout_details-news/false
[Category: Medical]
Independent Petroleum Association: U.S. House Passes Key Public Lands Energy Permitting Bill
WASHINGTON, June 4 -- The Independent Petroleum Association of America issued the following news release on June 2, 2026:
* * *
U.S. House Passes Key Public Lands Energy Permitting Bill
In an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote, the U.S. House of Representatives today passed a bill to support federal employees working on oil and natural gas approvals in Bureau of Land Management offices across the West. The Independent Petroleum Association of America, or IPAA, and Western Energy Alliance today applauded the leadership of Rep. Mike Kennedy, R-Utah, for sponsoring the License to Drill Act, H.R. 7831,
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, June 4 -- The Independent Petroleum Association of America issued the following news release on June 2, 2026:
* * *
U.S. House Passes Key Public Lands Energy Permitting Bill
In an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote, the U.S. House of Representatives today passed a bill to support federal employees working on oil and natural gas approvals in Bureau of Land Management offices across the West. The Independent Petroleum Association of America, or IPAA, and Western Energy Alliance today applauded the leadership of Rep. Mike Kennedy, R-Utah, for sponsoring the License to Drill Act, H.R. 7831,which reauthorizes the bipartisan Permit Processing Improvement Fund (PPIF) and funds BLM field offices overseeing leasing, permitting and production. The program is set to expire in September if Congress does not get a bill to President Donald Trump in time.
"H.R. 7831 reauthorizes a longstanding policy that is an important framework for federal land producers. IPAA has championed this concept since its origins in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and proudly testified in support of the bill during its committee hearing earlier this year," said Dan Naatz, IPAA executive vice president and chief policy officer. "The PPIF program has garnered bipartisan support in both the House and Senate in previous reauthorizations because the concept is sound -- industry pays its own way. Extending the program preserves an industry-funded permitting system with a fee that is indexed to inflation, designed to improve agency resources, and reduce permitting delays. We applaud Rep. Kennedy's leadership and look to the Senate to follow suit."
"The Permit Processing Improvement Fund is 100% paid for by fees on oil and natural gas drilling permits. It's a balanced approach that Congress created to develop energy resources on public lands while supporting the federal employees who manage the process. Their roles are important because 10% of the oil and natural gas produced in the United States comes from BLM public lands," said Melissa Simpson, president of the Alliance. "Republicans and Democrats in Congress may not agree on much at the moment, but there's strong agreement on extending support for the federal employees who perform the daily work that goes into managing oil and natural gas production. We're thankful for the leadership of Rep. Kennedy in moving a bill critical to producing the oil and natural gas our country needs and gaining strong bipartisan support."
Background
The Permit Processing Improvement Fund was created in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 as a pilot program. Following 10 years of success, Congress renewed it for an additional 10 years and expanded the program. Authorization to use drilling permit fees to fund portions of the PPIF expires in September.
Congress prioritized funding for high-volume BLM offices to support federal and tribal oil and natural gas activities. The offices are in Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. The PPIF supports BLM staff working on approvals for oil and natural gas activities, including permits, rights of way, environmental analysis, sundry notices and surface use plans. The money is also used for interagency coordination with other federal agencies, staff hiring and training.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.ipaa.org/u-s-house-passes-key-public-lands-energy-permitting-bill/
[Category: Energy]
CompTIA AutoOps+ Targets Rising Demand for Automation and DevOps Skills in IT Workforce
DOWNERS GROVE, Illinois, June 4 -- CompTIA posted the following news release:
* * *
CompTIA AutoOps+ targets rising demand for automation and DevOps skills in IT workforce
New certification bridges traditional IT operation skills and modern DevOps practices
-
CompTIA AutoOps+, a next-generation certification that equips information technology (IT) professionals with in-demand automation, scripting and infrastructure management skills, is now available from CompTIA, the leading global provider of vendor-neutral IT training and certifications.
CompTIA AutoOps+ focuses on expertise in coding,
... Show Full Article
DOWNERS GROVE, Illinois, June 4 -- CompTIA posted the following news release:
* * *
CompTIA AutoOps+ targets rising demand for automation and DevOps skills in IT workforce
New certification bridges traditional IT operation skills and modern DevOps practices
-
CompTIA AutoOps+, a next-generation certification that equips information technology (IT) professionals with in-demand automation, scripting and infrastructure management skills, is now available from CompTIA, the leading global provider of vendor-neutral IT training and certifications.
CompTIA AutoOps+ focuses on expertise in coding,scripting, orchestrating end-to-end automation workflows and other skills that bridge traditional IT operations with modern DevOps practices.
"The ability to lead digital transformation, simplify complex environments and operationalize automation is essential for today's technology workforce," said Katie Hoenicke, chief product officer, CompTIA. "We're addressing this skills need with vendor-neutral training and certifications to help IT professionals boost efficiency, strengthen security and deliver impact across cloud and hybrid ecosystems."
CompTIA AutoOps+ prepares IT pros for high-demand infrastructure roles such as systems administrator, cloud administrator and DevOps engineer. The certification focuses on the skills needed to modernize operations and scale automation, such as:
* Automating enterprise workflows using industry-standard coding practices
* Streamlining system configuration and provisioning
* Managing and troubleshooting continuous integration and continuous delivery pipelines
* Embedding security best practices across automated environments
CompTIA AutoOps+ was developed with input from subject matter experts representing organizations in education, finance and insurance, technology hardware and software, travel and other industries.
The new certification is the latest addition to CompTIA's Expansion Series, focused on emerging skill areas such as AI and automation. These certifications build on established CompTIA credentials while helping technology professionals specialize in role- and industry-specific domains. For example, IT infrastructure and operations professionals can strengthen their capabilities and validate their skills with CompTIA AutoOps+.
CompTIA has also released new CertMaster training solutions for the certification.
* CertMaster Perform offers a complete experience of concept instruction, hands-on mastery with tasks on real machines and assessments
* CertMaster Labs is designed for achieving hands-on mastery of critical IT support tasks on real machines and networks
* CertMaster Study is an interactive learning experience with engaging content that includes text, images, videos and knowledge-check quizzes.
Complete details on CompTIA AutoOps+ certification and learning resources are available at https://www.comptia.org/en-us/certifications/autoops/.
* * *
About CompTIA
CompTIA, Inc. is the leading global provider of vendor-neutral training and certification products in the information technology (IT) space. Over four million CompTIA certifications have been awarded to current and aspiring technology workers, business professionals, government and military personnel, career changers, students and others. Working in partnership with thousands of academic institutions, governments, training providers and workforce development organizations, CompTIA uses best-in-class learning solutions, industry-recognized certifications and career resources to help job seekers reach their full potential and employers develop skilled technical talent. Learn more at https://www.comptia.org/.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.comptia.org/en-us/about-us/news/press-releases/CompTIA-AutoOps-targets-rising-demand-for-automation-and-DevOps-skills-in-IT-workforce/
[Category: Computer Technology]
Association of American Physicians & Surgeons: Physicians Warned Against Indemnification Clauses in Contracts
TUCSON, Arizona, June 4 -- The Association of American Physicians and Surgeons issued the following news release:
* * *
Physicians Warned against Indemnification Clauses in Contracts
Physicians who are contracting with a hospital, multispecialty group, or other organization need to be aware of potential traps, writes Jeffrey Segal, M.D., J.D., in the summer issue of the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons. Dr. Segal is the founder of Medical Justice.
The "standard" pro-forma agreement, Dr. Segal writes, is 20 pages long and written in legalese. "Buried mid-paragraph is one sentence
... Show Full Article
TUCSON, Arizona, June 4 -- The Association of American Physicians and Surgeons issued the following news release:
* * *
Physicians Warned against Indemnification Clauses in Contracts
Physicians who are contracting with a hospital, multispecialty group, or other organization need to be aware of potential traps, writes Jeffrey Segal, M.D., J.D., in the summer issue of the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons. Dr. Segal is the founder of Medical Justice.
The "standard" pro-forma agreement, Dr. Segal writes, is 20 pages long and written in legalese. "Buried mid-paragraph is one sentencethat could turn a routine credentialing hiccup into a personal bankruptcy event."
The indemnification clause is a way to shift financial liability for various events such as negligence or property damage.
Some indemnification language is reasonable, even expected. It is common in contracts, insurance policies, and leases. The party being protected is kept "harmless" from these potential financial consequences.
You should not, however, directly indemnify for those things over which you have no control, Segal cautions. And you may need to have insurance to cover obligations you assume.
Importantly, obligations should not be triggered by allegations, without findings down the road. If payment obligations start upon mere accusation, the physician may be paying the legal fees to defend a hospital's actions. Phrases such as "finally adjudicated" or "admitted in writing" are helpful revisions, and physicians should demand proportionality in responsibility, Dr. Segal advises.
"Physicians often believe they have no negotiating power and that employment contracts are 'take it or leave it.' That is sometimes true. Sometimes not," Dr. Segal writes. "If an institution will not yield on anything, that is a reflection of its corporate culture. And it is unlikely to get better than when they are actively wooing you to join their ranks."
The Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons (https://jpands.org/) is published by the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS), a national organization representing physicians in all specialties since 1943.
* * *
View summer issue here: https://jpands.org/jpands3102.htm
* * *
URL: Medical Justice
* * *
Original text here: https://aapsonline.org/physicians-warned-against-indemnification-clauses-in-contracts/
[Category: Medical]
American Academy of Neurology: Living in Rural Areas Associated With Worse Health for People With Epilepsy
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota, June 4 (TNSjou) -- The American Academy of Neurology issued the following news release:
* * *
Living in rural areas associated with worse health for people with epilepsy
Highlights:
* People with epilepsy living in the most rural U.S. counties had nearly twice the odds of dying in the hospital as people living in the most urban counties.
* Researchers analyzed 841,445 epilepsy hospital admissions, grouping participants by their county's level of rurality, ranging from large urban metro areas to rural counties.
* People in the most rural counties not only had higher
... Show Full Article
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota, June 4 (TNSjou) -- The American Academy of Neurology issued the following news release:
* * *
Living in rural areas associated with worse health for people with epilepsy
Highlights:
* People with epilepsy living in the most rural U.S. counties had nearly twice the odds of dying in the hospital as people living in the most urban counties.
* Researchers analyzed 841,445 epilepsy hospital admissions, grouping participants by their county's level of rurality, ranging from large urban metro areas to rural counties.
* People in the most rural counties not only had higherodds of hospital death than those in the most urban counties, they were also more likely to arrive with a seizure emergency and have longer hospital stays.
* The study does not prove that living in rural areas causes worse health; it only shows an association.
* When looking only at people with private insurance, the links between rural living and hospital deaths, seizure emergencies and prolonged hospital stays mostly disappeared, suggesting other factors, not just location, may contribute to differences.
-
For people with epilepsy, living in counties that are more rural was associated with poorer health outcomes than for people living in more urban counties, according to a study published June 3, 2026, in Neurology(R) , the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. People living in the most rural counties hospitalized for epilepsy had nearly twice the odds of dying in the hospital than those living in the most urban counties. The study does not prove that living in rural areas causes worse health; it only shows an association.
"Living in rural areas has been linked to poor access to neurologic care in previous research," said study author Edward R. Bader, MBChB, of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, New York. "Epilepsy is a complex condition that requires specialized care with consistent access to antiseizure medications, and delays in care can be critical. Our study showed living in more rural areas was linked to worse epilepsy health outcomes."
For the study, researchers reviewed a health database of hospital admissions in the United States to identify people with epilepsy who had seizures. A total of 841,445 adult epilepsy hospital admissions were included. Participants had an average age of 56. Some were insured with Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance and some were uninsured.
Participants were assigned to six groups based on the urban or rural status of their counties, ranging from urban inner city and suburban counties to counties with cities under 50,000 residents, and the most rural counties lacking any city with at least 10,000 people.
Researchers then determined which participants: died at the hospital; arrived at the hospital in status epilepticus, a seizure emergency with seizures lasting over five minutes or occurring repeatedly; had longer hospital stays; received an electroencephalogram (EEG), a test to identify seizure type; or were discharged to a rehabilitation or skilled nursing facility.
Among people living in the most rural counties, 1.6% died in the hospital compared to only 1.0% of people who lived in the most urban counties.
After adjusting for factors such as age, other health conditions and hospital size, researchers found people in the most rural counties had 93% higher odds of dying in the hospital compared to people in the most urban counties. They also found they had 32% higher odds of arriving at the hospital in status epilepticus and 29% higher odds of a prolonged hospital stay.
Researchers also found people in the most rural counties were 12% less likely to receive an EEG and 10% less likely to be discharged to a rehabilitation or skilled nursing facility.
When looking only at people with private insurance, with 16% of most rural and 17% of most urban groups having such insurance, researchers found no associations between rural living and dying in the hospital and prolonged hospital stays. Also, Bader noted, the association between rural living and arriving with status epilepticus almost entirely disappeared.
"The reduction in disparities among people with private insurance suggests that there may be other factors, not just where someone lives, that could be contributing to these differences," said Bader. "Our study highlights the need for additional research and public health efforts aimed at improving access to epilepsy care for people living in rural areas, which might include the expansion of telehealth services."
A limitation of the study was that researchers were unable to adjust for factors such as seizure frequency or account for variables such as the availability of emergency medical services.
Bader noted that the study (https://www.neurology.org/doi/10.1212/WNL.0000000000218053) was conducted mainly before the widespread expansion of telehealth services during the COVID-19 pandemic and it is possible that telehealth care may help mitigate some of the rural-urban disparities.
Discover more about epilepsy at Brain & Life(R), from the American Academy of Neurology. This resource also offers a website, podcast, and books that connect patients, caregivers and anyone interested in brain health with the most trusted information, straight from the world's leading experts in brain health. Follow Brain & Life on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
* * *
The American Academy of Neurology is the leading voice in brain health. As the world's largest association of neurologists and neuroscience professionals with more than 44,000 members, the AAN provides access to the latest news, science and research affecting neurology for patients, caregivers, physicians and professionals alike. The AAN's mission is to enhance member career fulfillment and promote brain health for all. A neurologist is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, care and treatment of brain, spinal cord and nervous system diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, stroke, concussion, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, headache and migraine.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.aan.com/PressRoom/Home/PressRelease/5344
[Category: Medical]
ASA Statement on Reduction of Tariffs on Agricultural Machinery
ST. LOUIS, Missouri, June 4 -- The American Soybean Association issued the following news release:
* * *
ASA Statement on Reduction of Tariffs on Agricultural Machinery
The American Soybean Association welcomes the administration's decision to reduce tariffs on agricultural machinery.
"Lowering costs on critical equipment and parts is a positive step for soybean farmers and all of agriculture at a time when producers continue to face significant financial pressure from rising input costs and tight margins," said Scott Metzger, ASA president and Ohio soybean farmer.
ASA appreciates the administration's
... Show Full Article
ST. LOUIS, Missouri, June 4 -- The American Soybean Association issued the following news release:
* * *
ASA Statement on Reduction of Tariffs on Agricultural Machinery
The American Soybean Association welcomes the administration's decision to reduce tariffs on agricultural machinery.
"Lowering costs on critical equipment and parts is a positive step for soybean farmers and all of agriculture at a time when producers continue to face significant financial pressure from rising input costs and tight margins," said Scott Metzger, ASA president and Ohio soybean farmer.
ASA appreciates the administration'srecognition that tariffs on essential agricultural inputs directly impact farmers' bottom lines and looks forward to continued engagement on additional opportunities to reduce costs across the agricultural supply chain, including further reductions on machinery, replacement parts, and other critical farm inputs.
* * *
Original text here: https://soygrowers.com/news-releases/asa-statement-on-reduction-of-tariffs-on-agricultural-machinery/
[Category: Agriculture]
AAFA Publishes Industry Glossary of Traceability Terms
ARLINGTON, Virginia, June 4 -- The American Apparel and Footwear Association issued the following news release on June 3, 2026:
* * *
AAFA Publishes Industry Glossary of Traceability Terms
Today, the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) published for the first time The Global Apparel, Footwear, & Accessories Glossary of Traceability Terms. The glossary is intended to provide a common reference point for terminology used across the apparel, footwear, and accessories industry by defining key traceability-related terms and addressing terminology that may appear in existing or emerging
... Show Full Article
ARLINGTON, Virginia, June 4 -- The American Apparel and Footwear Association issued the following news release on June 3, 2026:
* * *
AAFA Publishes Industry Glossary of Traceability Terms
Today, the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) published for the first time The Global Apparel, Footwear, & Accessories Glossary of Traceability Terms. The glossary is intended to provide a common reference point for terminology used across the apparel, footwear, and accessories industry by defining key traceability-related terms and addressing terminology that may appear in existing or emergingregulations. This resource aims to promote clarity, consistency, and shared understanding across the global supply chain.
The Global Apparel, Footwear, & Accessories Glossary of Traceability Terms (https://www.aafaglobal.org/AAFA/Solutions_Pages/Global_Apparel_Footwear_Accessories_Industry_Glossary_Traceability_Terms.aspx) was created by the AAFA Traceability Working Group and the Solutions Providers Advisory Group, which are comprised of representatives of the entire supply chain - from materials providers to retailers, organizations involved in the industry and/or traceability, and traceability solutions providers to the industry. The Traceability Working Group consulted with dozens of organizations representing the global supply chain, and engaged with traceability initiatives across the industry.
This publicly available and open-source glossary will be refreshed with future iterations that incorporate new or updated traceability-related terms as well as terminology that may appear in new regulations.
"This is an exciting time for our industry as regulations begin to take shape, driving greater transparency and stronger outcomes for people and the planet," said Nate Herman, Executive Vice President of AAFA. "As these conversations evolve, we saw a clear need to align on language so everyone can engage with a shared understanding to help drive progress and avoid roadblocks."
To supplement its publication, AAFA will host an open industry Briefing on New Global Industry Glossary of Traceability Terms virtually on July 15 at 10 AM ET, providing the background that led to the creation of the glossary, the goals of the glossary, an overview of the contents, and next steps. The publication of The Global Apparel, Footwear, & Accessories Glossary of Traceability Terms, builds off AAFA's work on establishing the THREADS Sustainability and Social Responsibility Protocol which identifies core tenets that enable policymakers to develop practical, workable, and effective regulatory proposals.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.aafaglobal.org/AAFA/AAFA_News/2026_Press_Releases/AAFA_Publishes_Industry_Glossary_of_Traceability_Terms.aspx
[Category: Business]
