Author: Kirstin Duffin

Federal news Exclusive: FDA enforcement actions plummet under Trump (from Science: https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2019/07/exclusive-fda-enforcement-actions-plummet-under-trump) From the MLA Stay apprised on the CASE Act of 2019, which proposes a change to copyright policy, especially with regard to online copyright infringement (https://www.mlanet.org/p/cm/ld/fid=1122&&blogaid=2621). Scholarly Communications Slide Decks — prepared by health sciences librarians during the last 3 years (Must be…

Federal news President Trump signed an executive order for the development of rules requiring hospitals to inform patients of their treatment costs prior to receiving the services. [The Hill] New research indicates that the Affordable Care Act has lowered racial disparities in cancer care. [The Washington Post] The House voted to block Trump’s recent policy…

Federal news A slew of health-related stories are the news this month: Update: House spending panel restores U.S. ban on gene-edited babies (Science) Obamacare rate hikes appear modest for 2020 (Politico) Even if Roe is upheld, abortion opponents are winning (Politico) Trump administration moves to revoke transgender health protection (PBS News Hour) White House runs…

Federal news Bipartisan-proposed health care legislation by Chair of the Senate’s Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, Lamar Alexander (R-TN), and ranking member Patty Murray (D-WA) focuses on five issues ranging from medical costs to improving public health and health information technology. From Roll Call: http://www.rollcall.com/news/congress/alexander-murray-outline-plan-lower-health-costs Draft legislation: https://www.help.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/LHCC%20Act%20Discussion%20Draft%205_23_2019.pdf In the House, Democrats have removed…

Federal news With President Trump’s renewed interest in health care, the Supreme Court might render a decision on the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act prior to the 2020 election. From CNN. The Violence Against Women Act is up for reauthorization. It’s passed in the House and awaits vote in the Senate. The National Rifle…

ALA is calling for support in the continued funding of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). President Trump’s proposed FY2020 budget again eliminates the IMLS. Read ALA President Loida Garcia-Febo’s response here. Use this form to ask your representative to sign the Dear Appropriate letter in support of preserving the IMLS and its…

Federal news Federal funding legislation for U.S. science agencies has been signed by President Trump. Despite a request for budgetary cuts from the President, Congress generally approved small to moderate budgetary increases. The NIH would see a slight increase (5% or $2 billion, to increase the total budget to $39 billion). Research priorities include: research…

Federal news President Trump vows to end AIDS in his State of the Union address. Here are follow-up stories from Kaiser Health News and Science magazine. Debates over abortion rights could block movement on other legislation in the newly-elected Congress — from Kaiser Health News. Americans trying to purchase healthcare online in Fall of 2018…

Federal news Health- and library-legislative stories bridging us into the new year: Democrats Fight Back Against Lawsuit Threatening Health Law (Kaiser Health News) In response to a Texas district court ruling that the ACA is unconstitutional. 5 Ways Nixing The Affordable Care Act Could Upend The Entire Health System (Kaiser Health News) 2018 Year in…

From the ALA Advocacy Office: With only a few weeks left in this congressional session, we are facing serious threats focused on the U.S. Copyright Office and Library of Congress. Next Tuesday [12/4/18], the Register of Copyrights Selection and Accountability Act (S. 1010), a Senate companion to House bill (H.R. 1695) will be voted on by…