WASHINGTON, April 23 -- A group of nine hospitals and health systems submitted a public comment letter to the Health Resources and Services Administration within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services opposing a proposed 340B Rebate Model Pilot Program, arguing that the approach would undermine the intent of the long-standing drug pricing program and strain providers serving vulnerable populations. The hospitals underscore that the original 340B Drug Pricing Program was designed to pr  more

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia, April 22 -- The University of Virginia School of Law posted the following news: * * * Accolades: Professor Wins Distinguished Scholar Award for Education Research * Professor Kimberly Jenkins Robinson of the University of Virginia School of Law won a Distinguished Scholar Award from the American Educational Research Association, among other achievements and recognition for members of the Law School community. The Law and Education Special Interest Group's award w  more

WASHINGTON, April 23 -- Adventist Health Tillamook has submitted a public comment letter to the Health Resources and Services Administration expressing opposition to the proposed transition from the current upfront discount structure of the 340B program to a rebate-based model. The hospital cautions that this shift could disrupt established workflows, increase administrative costs, and impede its ability to provide essential healthcare services to its community in Tillamook County, Oregon. The   more

WASHINGTON, April 23 -- Advocates for Community Health, representing 51 member community health centers serving over 4 million patients across 22 states, Puerto Rico, and D.C., submitted a public comment letter to the Health Resources and Services Administration regarding the 340B Rebate Model Pilot Program. ACH highlighted concerns about the proposed rebate model's fiscal and administrative burdens on CHCs, urging HRSA to explore an alternative approach involving a neutral claims clearinghouse   more

CHICAGO, Illinois, April 22 -- Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul issued the following news release: * * * ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL ANNOUNCES FEDERAL ACCOUNTABILITY ACTIONS HAVE PROTECTED $8.6 BILLION FOR ILLINOIS * Raoul to Join State Attorneys General at Town Hall to Discuss Multistate Actions Targeting Federal Overreach Chicago - Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced that the lawsuits his office has filed challenging unlawful overreach by the federal government have protected approxim  more

ORANGE, Connecticut, April 23 -- Avangrid, an energy company, issued the following news release: * * * Avangrid CEO Jose Antonio Miranda Speaks at U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Energy Summit Miranda highlights Avangrid's investments advancing energy affordability for millions of homes and businesses Pictured from left to right: Ruben Diaz Jr. New York Chapter Co-Chair Natural Allies for a Clean Energy Future, Neel Brown, Managing Director PPI, Jose Antonio Miranda Avangrid CEO, Katie Vli  more

WASHINGTON, April 23 -- Bend (Oregon) Mayor Melanie Kebler submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development expressing opposition to a proposed rule that targets mixed-status households by imposing new documentation requirements for individuals seeking or receiving rental assistance. The city emphasized that the longstanding HUD policy allowing prorated housing assistance for eligible members of mixed-status households has been critical in promoting housi  more

SACRAMENTO, California, April 23 -- Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-California, issued the following news release on April 22, 2026: * * * Governor Newsom announces appointments Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the following appointments: Nicole Elliott, of San Francisco, has been appointed to the California Water Commission. Elliott was Director of the California Department of Cannabis Control from 2021 to 2025. She was Senior Advisor on Cannabis in the Office of Governor Gavin Newsom from 2019 t  more

WASHINGTON, April 23 -- CHI Mercy Health, a member of CommonSpirit Health and a key provider in Oregon's medically underserved Douglas County, has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration expressing opposition to the proposed 340B Rebate Model Pilot Program. The hospital, which serves a large number of low-income and uninsured patients, criticized HRSA's request for information on shifting from the longstan  more

WASHINGTON, April 22 -- Rep. Maxine Dexter, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * Dexter Moves to Block Legislation Weakening Clean Air Protections * WASHINGTON, D.C. -Today, Congresswoman Maxine Dexter, M.D. (OR-03) used a Motion to Recommit-the final procedural tool available before passage of legislation-to challenge House Republicans' attempt to weaken Clean Air Act protections and make it easier to ignore dangerous air pollution. "More than fifty years ago, Democrats and   more

WASHINGTON, April 23 -- The Fair Housing Council of Oregon submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development expressing opposition to the proposed amendments to 24 CFR Sec. 5.506(b)(2), part of the Housing and Community Development Act of 190 relating to verification of eligible status for federal housing assistance. FHCO, Oregon's only private nonprofit focused on eliminating illegal housing discrimination, contends that the amendments, which would requir  more

ATLANTA, Georgia, April 23 -- Fisher Phillips, a law firm, issued the following insight on April 22, 2026: * * * OSHA Updates its Heat Emphasis Program: How to Protect Your Staff From the Summer Heat and Comply with OSHA in 6 Practical Steps The federal workplace safety watchdog agency recently announced on April 10 it was renewing its special enforcement focus on heat risks to workers via an updated National Emphasis Program (NEP) ahead of the summer season, ramping up the urgency for employ  more

SALEM, Oregon, April 22 -- Gov. Tina Kotek, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * Governor Kotek Signs Bills to Expand Housing Options for Seniors and Working Families * Woodburn, OR - Today, at the ceremonial bill signing event held at Woodburn City Hall, Governor Tina Kotek signed six bills that will make it easier for Oregon cities to add housing for middle-income Oregonians, seniors, and farmworkers, helping to improve housing affordability and supply across the state. "Ho  more

WASHINGTON, April 23 -- Home Forward, the public housing authority (PHA) in Portland, Oregon, has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development expressing opposition to HUD's proposed rule to amend Section 214 regulations under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1980. The proposal would require PHAs to verify the eligible immigration status of all applicants and recipients of housing assistance. Home Forward, which serves over 14,000 residen  more

WASHINGTON, April 23 -- Indiana University Health has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration addressing proposed changes to the 340B Drug Pricing Program through a rebate model pilot program. IU Health detailed operational, financial, and patient-care concerns related to transitioning from the existing upfront point-of-purchase discount to a Wholesale Acquisition Cost-then-rebate structure under the pilot program. IU Health outlined that its e  more

WASHINGTON, April 23 -- Memorial Health System, Hollywood, Florida, submitted a public comment letter to the Health Resources and Services Administration expressing opposition to HRSA's proposal to replace the longstanding upfront discount system with a rebate-based model. HRSA is exploring a rebate pilot program covering 25 drugs, including 10 under Medicare Part D for 2026 and an additional 15 for 2027, intended to address pricing under the 340B program. Memorial Health System emphasized that  more

WASHINGTON, April 22 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * Merkley Remarks at FY27 Interior Department Budget Hearing with Secretary Burgum * Washington, D.C. - Today, Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley-the Ranking Member of the Senate Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee-delivered the following remarks as prepared for delivery at the hearing reviewing the President's Fiscal Year 2027 budget request for the U.S. Department of the Interior with S  more

WASHINGTON, April 22 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * Merkley Seeks Answers on Hegseth's Role in Dismantling Military's Civilian Harm Prevention Guard Rails in Advance of Iran War * Washington, D.C. -Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley-a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee-joined a group of Senators in seeking answers on U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's role in weakening civilian harm prevention programs and the catastrophic   more

WASHINGTON, April 22 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * Merkley, Wyden, Democratic Colleagues Demand USPS Uphold Federal Law Over President Trump's Illegal Executive Order to Restrict Vote by Mail * Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined over 30 of their Senate Democratic colleagues in demanding the United States Postal Service (USPS) uphold existing federal law over the executive order signed by President Trump. "The   more

WASHINGTON, April 23 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, ranking member of the Senate Budget Committee, issued the following statement: * * * Merkley: Republican Budget Resolution Ignores the Needs of Working Families U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee, released the below statement after Senate Republicans voted to pass their Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Resolution that will enable a reconciliation bill to provide up to $140 billion to Immigration and Custo  more

WASHINGTON, April 21 [Category: Government/Public Administration] (TNSrpt) -- The Aspen Institute posted the following news release: * * * New Aspen Institute Report on Youth Soccer Reveals "Soccer Deserts" and Rising Costs for NYC/NJ Youth * Commissioned by the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund, the "State of Soccer" study provides a roadmap for a more equitable youth soccer legacy ahead of the 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup. New York City, April 21, 2026 - - Today, the Aspen Institute's Proje  more

WASHINGTON, April 23 -- Nez Perce Tribal Chairman Shannon F. Wheeler has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service regarding the agency's proposed revisions to locatable minerals regulations. The Tribe emphasized the importance of the Forest Service updating its regulations to better protect the tribe's treaty-reserved rights and the natural resources on public lands managed by the agency. The Nez Perce Tribe, Lapwai, Idaho, highlighted its historic   more

WASHINGTON, April 23 -- The North American Raspberry & Blackberry Association submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service requesting the reinstatement of blackberry crop data reporting. NARBA, a membership organization representing hundreds of growers, researchers, and stakeholders across the U.S. caneberry industry, emphasized the urgent need for the USDA to resume publishing comprehensive blackberry data to support market analysis and polic  more

WASHINGTON, April 23 -- The Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board, Oregon, submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration expressing concerns over the proposed 340B Model Pilot Program. The letter addresses the potential negative impacts on Tribally operated health systems serving 43 federally recognized Indian Tribes across Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. The NPAIHB represents Tribal organizations under th  more

WASHINGTON, April 23 -- The House Science, Space and Technology Subcommittee on Energy released the following testimony by Quaise Energy President and CEO Carlos Araque from an April 16, 2026, hearing entitled "Subsurface Science and Technology: American Energy and Mineral Dominance": * * * Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member Ross, and distinguished members of the Committee, thank you for the opportunity to testify on the critical role geothermal energy must play in meeting America's energy future.   more

LOS ANGELES, California, April 22 -- The Reason Foundation issued the following commentary on April 21, 2026, by Vice President of Government reform Leonard Gilroy and Research Director Geoffrey Lawrence: * * * How Trump's executive order could accelerate widespread access to psychedelic therapies Trump's new executive order comes as states have begun taking significant action on psychedelic policy reform, positioning the federal government as a partner. * On Saturday, April 18, President   more

WASHINGTON, April 23 -- Reedsburg Area Medical Center, Wisconsin, has submitted a public comment letter to the Health Resources and Services Administration expressing opposition to HRSA's proposal to replace the longstanding upfront 340B drug discount model with a rebate-based system. The hospital cautions that moving to a rebate model for 25 specified drugs would impose increased costs and administrative burdens on covered entities that the 340B program was designed to support. The 340B progra  more

WASHINGTON, April 23 -- Salem Health, Oregon, submitted a public comment letter to the Health Resources and Services Administration expressing opposition to proposed changes in the 340B Drug Pricing Program. Salem Health's letter to HRSA challenges the agency's consideration of replacing the current upfront discount structure with a rebate-based model for the 340B Program, which provides discounted drugs to eligible hospitals and clinics serving vulnerable populations. Salem Health stated that   more

LOS ANGELES, California, April 23 -- The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) issued the following news release on April 22, 2026: * * * OPB and KMHD Content Creators Unanimously Ratify their First Union Contract The content creators at Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) and KMHD Jazz Radio, represented by SAG-AFTRA, have reached a tentative agreement with OPB, the non-profit public media organization, after nearly two years of negotiation. With cl  more

WASHINGTON, April 23 -- SpendMend LLC submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration expressing opposition to the agency's consideration of a rebate-based model to replace the current upfront discount structure under the 340B drug pricing program. The letter addresses HRSA's Request for Information concerning a pilot program that would apply rebate pricing to 25 drugs starting in 2026 and 2027. SpendMend stresses that the 340B program has relied on up  more

WASHINGTON, April 22 -- The House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Government Operations released the following written testimony by State Financial Officers Foundation CEO OJ Oleka from an April 15, 2026, hearing entitled "Fraud Prevention: Understanding Fraud in Federally Funded Programs Run by the States": * * * Chairman Sessions, Ranking Member Mfume, and distinguished members of the Subcommittee: Thank you for the opportunity to testify today. My name is Dr. OJ Oleka, and I  more

WASHINGTON, April 22 -- The U.S. Department of Labor issued the following news release: * * * US Department of Labor recovers $200K in back wages after investigation finds Oregon restaurant denied 19 workers overtime, operated invalid tip pool * MCMINNVILLE, OR - An investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division found a McMinnville restaurant incorrectly categorized 19 workers as exempt, not paying them the legally required overtime premium, and used workers' tips to   more

WASHINGTON, April 22 (TNSLrpt) -- The U.S. Geological Survey issued 'Opportunities and Challenges in Using Solid Phase Adsorption Toxin Tracking (SPATT) Samplers for Monitoring Cyanotoxins in Freshwater and Estuarine Environments,' Scientific Investigations Report 20255093, authored by Andrea C. Jaegge, Keith Bouma-Gregson, Thomas D. Byl, Kurt D. Carpenter, Victoria G. Christensen, Rebecca M. Gorney, Jennifer L. Graham, Heather A. Heckathorn, Hayley T. Olds, Pamela A. Reilly, Joshua J. Rosen, an  more

WASHINGTON, April 22 (TNSLrpt) -- The U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey issued 'Ungulate Migrations of the Western United States, Volume 6,' led by authors Matthew Kauffman, Blake Lowrey, and Jennifer L. McKee among dozens of contributors, as Scientific Investigations Report 20265123. Produced by the Corridor Mapping Team--a partnership of State agencies, Tribes, and Federal entities--the volume follows Secretarial Order 3362 to track big game movements. Released in 2026, it  more

PORTLAND, Oregon, April 23 -- VoteVets issued the following news release on April 21, 2026: * * * VoteVets Applauds Bipartisan Legislation to Expand Access to Veterans' Benefits Information VoteVets, representing nearly 2 million veterans, military families, and their supporters, today applauded the introduction of the bipartisan Thomas M. Conway Veterans Access to Resources in the Workplace Act, led by Representatives Chris Deluzio (D-PA) and Nick LaLota (R-NY) and Senators Angus King (I-ME)  more

WASHINGTON, April 22 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following remarks on April 21, 2026, calling for the passage of the Speedy Tariff Refund Act: * * * While Trump Delays, Wyden Calls for Passage of Speedy Tariff Refunds Act I rise today to request unanimous consent to pass the "Speedy Tariff Refund Act." This bill forces the Trump administration to immediately return the money it has stolen from American businesses under Trump's illega  more

WASHINGTON, April 23 -- Woodlawn Hospital, Rochester, Indiana, submitted a public comment letter to the Health Resources and Services Administration expressing opposition to HRSA's consideration of replacing the longstanding upfront discount structure of the 340B Drug Pricing Program with a rebate-based model. The letter outlines concerns over the increased administrative burdens, higher costs, and cash flow challenges such a shift would create for safety-net providers serving low-income and und  more

WASHINGTON, April 23 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following news release on April 22, 2026: * * * Wyden Demands Transparency on Robert Kennedy's Recreational Drug Use Following Reporter's Tell-All Book Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., demanded answers from Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on reports that he used illegal drugs recreationally. "The U.S. Secretary of  more

WASHINGTON, April 22 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * Wyden Slams Trump Administration on Abandoning Tax Dodging Oversight of Ultra-Wealthy Partnerships * New Trump Rule Would Tilt Tax Code in Favor of the Richest Americans and Big Businesses Washington, D.C. - Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today slammed the Trump administration for its schemes to give big businesses and ultra-wealthy Americans the green light to avoid reporting their taxes, which will pre  more