Blog - Citizens Against Government Waste

Commerce, Technology, Telecommunications

An Open Internet Excludes Net Neutrality

February 28, 2018 Deborah Collier

There is a huge misunderstanding regarding net neutrality. Silicon Valley dot-coms and big e-commerce corporations are pushing the idea that the Restoring Internet Freedom Order approved by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on December 14, 2017 somehow rolled back protections for consumers, and will lead to the end of the internet as we know it. But, it did nothing of the sort. It simply rolled back the heavy hand of government over the internet, and restored consumer protection to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which was stripped out by the 2015 Open Internet Order.

Healthcare, PBM, PBMs, Pharmacy Benefits Manager

Trump Administration Reverses Obama-era Rule on Health Insurance

February 27, 2018 Elizabeth Wright

On Tuesday, February 20, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a long-awaited proposed rule that would change an Obama administration rule that curtailed short-term, limited-duration health insurance (STLDI) plans. The HHS press release stated, “In direct response to President Trump’s October 2017 Executive Order, the Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), […]

340B, Healthcare, PBM, PBMs, Pharmacy Benefits Manager

Drug Prices – The Council of Economic Advisers and Trump Administration Weigh In

February 15, 2018 Elizabeth Wright

Report spotlights how imposing price controls and government regulations hamper drug approvals and slow competition.

Healthcare, PBM, PBMs, Pharmacy Benefits Manager

FDA Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee Weighs in on IQOS

February 1, 2018 Elizabeth Wright

On January 24 and 25, 2018, the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) nine-member Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee (TPSAC) reviewed the Modified Risk Tobacco Product Applications (MRTPA) on an innovative tobacco product, named the IQOS, which is designed to reduce the harm associated with tobacco use. CAGW discussed the MRTPA and the advisory committee meeting […]

Commerce, International, Technology, Telecommunications

Microsoft/Ireland Case Poses Opportunity for Congress

January 26, 2018 Deborah Collier

Republicans and Democrats in Congress have a hard time agreeing on anything. But, they might concur that it is not appropriate for law enforcement officials to order a cloud services provider to turn over customer data stored in another country without that country’s permission. In December 2013, a federal district court judge in New York […]

Commerce, Intellectual Property, Technology, Telecommunications

Reducing Government’s Footprint on the Music Industry

January 25, 2018 Deborah Collier

On January 28, 2018, the music industry will gather at the Grammy Awards. Country legends, pop artists, classical musicians, producers, and songwriters will be among those recognized for their innovation in music and sound. While the Grammys celebrate their accomplishments, many of these music creators do not receive just compensation for their hard work and […]

State Issues

Trump Administration Rejects Maine’s Request to Remove Soda and Candy from SNAP

January 25, 2018 Spencer Chretien

For years, many conservatives have attacked the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, and for good reason. It is true that SNAP is rife with waste, fraud, and abuse, and is part of a complicated mess of federal welfare programs that have overly broad eligibility requirements. However, conservatives looking to reform it by prohibiting people from using […]

Healthcare, PBM, PBMs, Pharmacy Benefits Manager

FDA Advisory Committee to Discuss New Tobacco Harm Reduction Product

January 22, 2018 Elizabeth Wright

The Family Smoking and Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (TCA) became law in June 2009 and gave the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authority to regulate the manufacture, distribution, and marketing of all tobacco products. Included in the law is Section 918, which called for a report to Congress on how best to regulate, promote, […]

Taxes

Seattle Soda Tax Not Doing Too Well

January 12, 2018 Spencer Chretien

While the rest of us were popping champagne to celebrate the arrival of 2018, Seattle greeted the New Year with a 1.75 cent per ounce tax on sweetened beverages. It was needed, former Mayor Ed Murray once said, for a host of noble reasons: to reduce sugar consumption; to raise revenue for important projects like […]

Appropriations, Budget, General Waste

Myths and Realities: Earmarks

January 12, 2018 Thomas Schatz

Reality: Earmarks are not the answer to mitigating the extreme partisanship that exists in Washington and are have nothing to do with getting things done.