Public Policy
News releases, reports, statements and associated documents from public policy organizations whose goal it is to influence the debate Washington.
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USCMO VISITS SOUTH AFRICA, EXTENDS GRATITUDE FOR SUPPORT OF PALESTINIAN CAUSE
WASHINGTON, May 16 -- The U.S. Council of Muslim Organizations issued the following news release:
A delegation from the US Council of Muslim Organizations (USCMO) recently concluded an impactful visit to South Africa. They attended conferences commemorating the 30th anniversary of the end of apartheid and expressed heartfelt gratitude to the people of South Africa for their steadfast support of the Palestinian people's pursuit of justice, freedom, and self-determination.
During their visit, the USCMO delegation met President Ramaphosa and members of his cabinet and conveyed heartfelt gratitude
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WASHINGTON, May 16 -- The U.S. Council of Muslim Organizations issued the following news release:
A delegation from the US Council of Muslim Organizations (USCMO) recently concluded an impactful visit to South Africa. They attended conferences commemorating the 30th anniversary of the end of apartheid and expressed heartfelt gratitude to the people of South Africa for their steadfast support of the Palestinian people's pursuit of justice, freedom, and self-determination.
During their visit, the USCMO delegation met President Ramaphosa and members of his cabinet and conveyed heartfelt gratitudeof many Americans for South Africa's pivotal role in championing the cause of justice for Palestinians by bringing the issue of the Israeli government's genocidal war crimes before the International Court of Justice. This courageous step has provided a global platform for understanding the longstanding plight of the Palestinian people, marking a significant milestone after 75 years of occupation and oppression.
In their meetings, the USCMO emphasized that the global awareness of human rights violations against the Palestinian people increased with the steadfast efforts, determination, and hard work of South Africa's legal team and the Ministry of International Relations. Presenting an impactful, historic case before the ICJ reflects the lessons learned from South Africa's own struggle for freedom from apartheid and highlights the South African people's commitment to justice and human rights for all.
USCMO Secretary General Oussama Jammal, stated, "Our visit to South Africa was an opportunity to express our profound gratitude to South Africa for its unwavering support of the Palestinian cause. South Africa's historic role in bringing Israeli war crimes to the International Court of Justice is a testament to their commitment to justice for all."
The USCMO delegation's visit underscores the importance of international solidarity in advancing causes of peace, justice, and self-determination.
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Original text here: https://uscmo.org/2024/05/15/uscmo-visits-south-africa-extends-gratitude-for-support-of-palestinian-cause/
[Category: Government/Public Administration]
Renown Health Wins Best of Community Choice Awards 2024
RENO, Nevada, May 16 -- Renown Health, a healthcare network, issued the following news release:
Renown Health, the premier provider of healthcare services in northern Nevada, is proud to announce its physicians, nurses and clinicians have again been selected as the winner of several 2024 Best of Reno Official Community's Choice Awards. These accolades reflect the unwavering dedication, exceptional service and high-quality care delivered by the Renown Health team to the communities it serves.
Each year, the Best of Reno Community's Choice Awards recognizes northern Nevada businesses and organizations.
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RENO, Nevada, May 16 -- Renown Health, a healthcare network, issued the following news release:
Renown Health, the premier provider of healthcare services in northern Nevada, is proud to announce its physicians, nurses and clinicians have again been selected as the winner of several 2024 Best of Reno Official Community's Choice Awards. These accolades reflect the unwavering dedication, exceptional service and high-quality care delivered by the Renown Health team to the communities it serves.
Each year, the Best of Reno Community's Choice Awards recognizes northern Nevada businesses and organizations.The awards program starts with public nominations, and from the top five nominees in each category, the voting round selects the finalists and winners.
This year, Renown Health was honored as a winner of the following categories:
* Best Hospital/Medical Center: Renown Health
* Best Hospital Emergency Room: Renown Health
* Best Maternity & Childbirth Center: Renown Health, Women's Health- Multiple Locations
* Best Family Practice: Renown Health, Primary Care-Multiple Locations
* Best Pediatric Clinic: Renown Health, Pediatric Care- Multiple Locations
* Best Urgent Care/Walk-In Clinic: Renown Health, Urgent Care-Multiple Locations
"We are honored to receive these Best of Reno Community Choice Awards, as they represent the trust and appreciation of our patients, their families and the broader community," said Brian Erling, MD, MBA, President & CEO of Renown Health. "These awards reflect the hard work and dedication of our entire team, from our medical staff to our support services. I am proud of them and the exceptional care they provide each day. As the area's only not-for-profit healthcare network, Renown is dedicated to putting People First and making a genuine difference in the health of the people and communities we serve. Together, we are fostering a culture rooted in our values of caring, collaboration, integrity, and excellence. We appreciate and are humbled by the community's confidence in our care and service."
For a primary care physician or practitioner, please visit http://www.Renown.org or schedule an appointment by calling Renown's customer service agents by phone- Mon-Fri: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sat-Sun: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 775-982-5000.
Join our talented community of healthcare professionals today as an employee, volunteer, or donor at http://www.renown.org.
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Original text here: https://www.renown.org/about/newsroom/renown-wins-best-of-community-choice-awards-2024
[Category: Health Care]
PORT OF LONG BEACH AWARDED FUNDS FOR CRITICAL PROJECTS
LONG BEACH, California, May 16 -- Port of Long Beach issued the following news:
The Port of Long Beach received federal funding for civil works plans laid out by the Army Corps of Engineers, aimed at financing several maintenance and repair projects along the waterfront.
The funds arise from the Harbor Maintenance Tax - collected by the federal government from ports based on the value of imports, some domestic cargo and on cruise passengers. Established by Congress in 1986 to fund dredging projects at U.S. seaports, funds from the Harbor Maintenance Tax were typically collected from but not directed
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LONG BEACH, California, May 16 -- Port of Long Beach issued the following news:
The Port of Long Beach received federal funding for civil works plans laid out by the Army Corps of Engineers, aimed at financing several maintenance and repair projects along the waterfront.
The funds arise from the Harbor Maintenance Tax - collected by the federal government from ports based on the value of imports, some domestic cargo and on cruise passengers. Established by Congress in 1986 to fund dredging projects at U.S. seaports, funds from the Harbor Maintenance Tax were typically collected from but not directedto ports like the Port of Long Beach. The Water Resources Development Act of 2020, however, expanded the use of funds to include in-water maintenance and repair projects, allowing for a more equitable distribution among large and small seaports.
Combined, the Port of Long Beach and the Port of Los Angeles will receive $112 million as part of the Army Corps of Engineers work plan.
"These funds will contribute to our ongoing infrastructure investments and strengthen our position as the premier gateway for trans-Pacific trade," said Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson. "Making the Harbor Maintenance Tax more equitable will make the Port more competitive and improve our harbor, which translates into more jobs and economic growth for Long Beach."
"The San Pedro ports move 40 percent of the nation's container imports, transporting the goods that power our economy," said Sen. Alex Padilla. "I am glad to see the Army Corps heed my call to fund these crucial upgrades for the Port of Long Beach that will bolster global supply chains and make long overdue repairs."
"This announcement marks a significant milestone in the decades-long battle for equitable funding allocation for the benefit of our communities and national economy," said Rep. Robert Garcia. "As the former Mayor of Long Beach, I know firsthand how critical it is to invest in port infrastructure to maintain competitiveness, and that's why we've worked to ensure that donor ports receive their fair share of funding for essential repair and replacement projects. This funding not only enhances the sustainability and efficiency of our local harbors, but also solidifies their role in international trade."
"The infrastructure improvements supported by the Harbor Maintenance Tax Fund will increase the efficiency and sustainability of Port operations," said Long Beach Harbor Commission President Bobby Olvera Jr. "These important improvements will make the Port stronger, more competitive to attract business and safer for our dedicated and skilled workforce."
"We have long pushed for a fair share of Harbor Maintenance Tax funding to ports like ours, which traditionally have contributed more to the fund than they received," said Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero. "We thank Sen. Alex Padilla, Rep. Robert Garcia, Rep. Grace Napolitano and our other congressional leaders for securing the funds for critical repair, retrofit and replacement projects that will strengthen our ability to move cargo safely and sustainably, and our partners at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for including funds in their 2024 work plan."
The Port is planning to spend $2.3 billion over the next 10 years in capital improvements aimed at enhancing capacity, competitiveness and sustainability. Although the bulk of the funding is designated for rail projects, the Port has identified specific needs for seismic upgrades in addition to the maintenance and repair of existing rock dikes, concrete and steel bulkheads, wharves and other marine structures.
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Original text here: https://polb.com/port-info/news-and-press/port-of-long-beach-awarded-funds-for-critical-projects-05-14-2024/
[Category: Business]
Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law: Senate AI Report Does Not Sufficiently Protect Civil Rights, Falls Short on Proposed Solutions
WASHINGTON, May 16 -- The Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law issued the following news release on May 15, 2024:
On Wednesday, Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Todd Young (R-IN), and Martin Heinrich (D-NM) released their AI report, "Driving U.S. Innovation in Artificial Intelligence," following a months-long series of closed-door AI Insight Forums. While the report acknowledges the risks that AI can pose to equal opportunity, election integrity, and privacy, it does not propose solutions that would adequately protect civil rights. The most detailed provisions of the
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WASHINGTON, May 16 -- The Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law issued the following news release on May 15, 2024:
On Wednesday, Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Todd Young (R-IN), and Martin Heinrich (D-NM) released their AI report, "Driving U.S. Innovation in Artificial Intelligence," following a months-long series of closed-door AI Insight Forums. While the report acknowledges the risks that AI can pose to equal opportunity, election integrity, and privacy, it does not propose solutions that would adequately protect civil rights. The most detailed provisions of thereport would actually allow ongoing AI-driven harms to fester and leave Black and Brown communities behind.
Many members of the civil rights community-including the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law-participated in the AI Insight Forums and made concrete recommendations to address the intersection of AI and racial justice. In December of 2023, the Lawyers' Committee released the "Online Civil Rights Act"-- a civil rights-focused model bill to regulate AI, which has been endorsed by twenty other civil rights and advocacy organizations.
The Senators' report acknowledges briefly some of the obvious risks that AI tools pose to equal opportunity and fair elections. And it urges Congress to pass a comprehensive privacy law and increase funding for election administration. But, overall, the report does not offer many specific proposals to address the wide array of risks that AI poses to civil rights, which communities of color grapple with every day. Moreover, some critical subjects are not addressed at all, such as the use of AI in policing, criminal justice, and immigration enforcement.
The following is a statement from Damon Hewitt, president and executive director of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law:
"We are deeply disappointed that the AI framework does little to advance serious proposals for protecting civil rights. While the report briefly raises issues that the civil rights community has raised consistently, it is completely devoid of substantive recommendations or legislative steps to address them. In that regard, what is billed as a roadmap seems more like a treadmill-lots of energy expended, but little forward movement.
Congress's work is incomplete unless it follows through with concrete legislation, and time is running out. We urge Congress to enact protections like those in the Lawyers' Committee's model legislation, the "Online Civil Rights Act," which includes a prohibition on algorithmic discrimination, establishes a duty of care for the use of AI, requires pre-and post-deployment testing for bias and other harms, gives individuals a right to an explanation for how AI affects them, and ensures data used for AI is kept private and secure. These measures will help to ensure meaningful transparency, safety, and fairness in AI technologies.
"With unregulated AI-driven decisions impacting equal opportunity and the general election season around the corner, it is imperative that Congress move swiftly to regulate AI and protect civil rights online. We cannot afford to wait another year for legislation to protect our rights amidst a rapidly growing technological landscape. The time to act is now."
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About the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law-The Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, formed in 1963 at the request of President John F. Kennedy to mobilize the nation's leading lawyers as agents for change in the Civil Rights Movement. Today, the Lawyers' Committee uses legal advocacy to achieve racial justice, fighting inside and outside the courts to ensure that Black people and other people of color have the voice, opportunity, and power to make the promises of our democracy real.
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Original text here: https://www.lawyerscommittee.org/senate-ai-report-does-not-sufficiently-protect-civil-rights-falls-short-on-proposed-solutions/
[Category: Law/Legal]
LDF Expresses Disappointment in Senate Roadmap on AI Policy
NEW YORK, May 16 (TNSres) -- The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund issued the following news on May 15, 2024:
After months of convenings with industry experts and stakeholders, a bipartisan group of senators released a policy roadmap today outlining how the U.S. Congress might address issues related to artificial intelligence (AI). The report, drafted by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senators Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Mike Rounds (R-SD), and Todd Young (R-IN), comes at a time when the country is considering legal safeguards for this rapidly advancing technology.
The report
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NEW YORK, May 16 (TNSres) -- The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund issued the following news on May 15, 2024:
After months of convenings with industry experts and stakeholders, a bipartisan group of senators released a policy roadmap today outlining how the U.S. Congress might address issues related to artificial intelligence (AI). The report, drafted by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senators Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Mike Rounds (R-SD), and Todd Young (R-IN), comes at a time when the country is considering legal safeguards for this rapidly advancing technology.
The reportsuggests allocating $32 billion dollars in AI innovation but fails to offer substantive recommendations on or funding to address the heightened risk of algorithmic bias and other discriminatory practices that contribute to racial inequality and may be exacerbated by this technology. Importantly, the roadmap fails to acknowledge the harms caused by government uses of AI, including the use of facial recognition and other technologies by law enforcement.
Automated systems can make systematically unfair decisions in housing, health care, and banking disproportionately affect people of color, women, LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, and other marginalized groups. This algorithmic bias can have devastating effects on our economy and democracy, ultimately depriving people of their freedom, and locking them out of opportunity.
Janai Nelson, President and Director-Counsel of the Legal Defense Fund (LDF), made the following statement:
"While we are pleased to see the Bipartisan Senate Working Group acknowledge that existing civil rights laws must apply to these new technologies, we see the roadmap on AI policy as a missed opportunity to address how AI can exacerbate racial inequity and invest in mitigation and solutions.
"Protecting civil rights should not be an afterthought. We hope that the senators will look beyond the proposals outlined in this roadmap to develop and advance meaningful legislation that adequately addresses the threat that algorithmic bias poses to Black communities and our country as a whole in line with the protections proposed in the White House's Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights."
From 2020 to March 2024, LDF, the Student Borrower Protection Center, and Upstart, a leading artificial intelligence (AI) lending platform, participated in a groundbreaking agreement to transparently review the fair lending outcomes of Upstart's model and assess best practices in the use and testing of alternative data in AI lending platforms. LDF has also urged federal regulators to use their authority to regulate AI.
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Founded in 1940, the Legal Defense Fund (LDF) is the nation's first civil rights law organization. In media attributions, please refer to us as the Legal Defense Fund or LDF. Please note that LDF has been separate from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) since 1957--although LDF was originally founded by the NAACP and shares its commitment to equal rights.
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Original text here: https://www.naacpldf.org/press-release/ldf-expresses-disappointment-in-senate-roadmap-on-ai-policy/?_ga=2.34111457.1331685293.1715829317-903733310.1705131675
[Category: Law/Legal]
KFF Examines New Rule Giving LGBTQ+ People More Protections Against Discrimination in Health Care
SAN FRANCISCO, California, May 16 (TNSres) -- KFF, an organization that says it focuses on health policy, issued the following news release:
A long-awaited new rule recently finalized by the Biden Administration gives LGBTQ+ people more protections against discrimination when seeking health care and coverage from a range of programs and organizations, including Medicaid, Medicare, Health Insurance Marketplaces, many health insurance plans, and most hospitals and providers. The rule has been subject to a wave of litigation across the Obama, Trump, and Biden Administrations and the Biden Administration's
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SAN FRANCISCO, California, May 16 (TNSres) -- KFF, an organization that says it focuses on health policy, issued the following news release:
A long-awaited new rule recently finalized by the Biden Administration gives LGBTQ+ people more protections against discrimination when seeking health care and coverage from a range of programs and organizations, including Medicaid, Medicare, Health Insurance Marketplaces, many health insurance plans, and most hospitals and providers. The rule has been subject to a wave of litigation across the Obama, Trump, and Biden Administrations and the Biden Administration'snew rule reinstates protections eliminated by the Trump Administration.
In a new brief (https://www.kff.org/affordable-care-act/issue-brief/the-biden-administrations-final-rule-on-section-1557-non-discrimination-regulations-under-the-aca), KFF examines the rule and highlights two areas of interest-- nondiscrimination protections for pregnancy related decisions, including abortion, and nondiscrimination protections for transgender people, including those related to gender affirming care. The brief also provides a side-by-side comparison of the Obama (2016), Trump (2020), and Biden Administration (2024) rules.
The revised regulations implement Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex in covered health programs or activities. The Biden Administration's interpretation of the ACA's sex protections also offers protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity, among other considerations.
Beyond those for LGBTQ+ people, the rule also provides a range of other nondiscrimination protections, including those related to abortion; people with disabilities; people with limited English proficiency; and use of telehealth and patient care decision support tools, including clinical algorithms and AI. The rule also extends to include Medicare Part B for the first time.
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Original text here: https://www.kff.org/affordable-care-act/press-release/kff-examines-new-rule-giving-lgbtq-people-more-protections-against-discrimination-in-health-care/
[Category: [Health Care]
Center for Data Innovation: The Senate's AI Roadmap Sets America on the Right Course
WASHINGTON, May 16 (TNSres) -- The Center for Data Innovation issued the following statement on May 15, 2024:
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In response to the Roadmap for Artificial Intelligence Policy released by Sens. Schumer, Heinrich, Rounds, and Young, the Center for Data Innovation released the following statement from Senior Policy Manager Hodan Omaar:
"This roadmap for AI policy shows Congress is listening to those who have called on policymakers to ensure the United States remains the global leader in AI. By investing in and prioritizing AI innovation, the United States is helping safeguard its position and
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WASHINGTON, May 16 (TNSres) -- The Center for Data Innovation issued the following statement on May 15, 2024:
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In response to the Roadmap for Artificial Intelligence Policy released by Sens. Schumer, Heinrich, Rounds, and Young, the Center for Data Innovation released the following statement from Senior Policy Manager Hodan Omaar:
"This roadmap for AI policy shows Congress is listening to those who have called on policymakers to ensure the United States remains the global leader in AI. By investing in and prioritizing AI innovation, the United States is helping safeguard its position andcreating a framework for policy that recognizes the enormous societal and economic benefits AI can bring to sectors such as health care, transportation, and education.
The roadmap will help the United States steer clear of the pitfalls Europe is encountering. EU policymakers have failed to prioritize AI innovation and adoption and plunged into a stringent regulatory regime that now has them worrying if they have shot themselves in the foot and will ever be able to catch up with the U.S. economy. The roadmap suggests Congress is learning from that cautionary tale.
However, this roadmap is designed to spur a wave of legislative activity in Congress to address concerns about AI--privacy, safety, workforce disruptions, etc.--and the challenge for Congressional lawmakers will be to pick the right policy solution for each concern. They should recognize that certain issues may require new regulations, but many can be addressed by legislation that sets guidelines, promotes certain practices, or incentivizes desired behaviors. For example, the House recently passed a bill supporting the development of privacy-enhancing technologies, which is a great example of non-regulatory legislation that will help address some of the privacy concerns related to AI. Being discerning about what concerns merit responses and what types of policy action they warrant will help ensure policymakers craft targeted, impactful, and effective policies to address the real challenges AI poses while avoiding unnecessary regulatory burdens that will stifle innovation.
Finally, the roadmap leans heavily on investments to support AI research and development, but policymakers should recognize that the benefits of AI are not going to be realized by only improving AI development. The United States also needs a multipronged national AI adoption plan to ensure these opportunities are translated into all the areas where they can make a positive difference in people's lives. It is therefore critical that Congress focus on crafting policies that accelerate the adoption of AI in both the public and private sectors."
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HODAN OMAAR
Hodan Omaar is a senior policy analyst at the Center for Data Innovation focusing on AI policy. Previously, she worked as a senior consultant on technology and risk management in London and as a crypto-economist in Berlin. She has an MA in Economics and Mathematics from the University of Edinburgh.
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REPORT: https://www.young.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/Roadmap_Electronic1.32pm.pdf
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Original text here: https://datainnovation.org/2024/05/the-senates-ai-roadmap-sets-america-on-the-right-course/
