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Medical Debt Relief Act of 2015
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Medical Debt Act of 2015 This bill amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to prohibit a consumer reporting agency from making any consumer report containing information related to: (1) a medical debt (arising from the receipt of medical services, products, or devises) if the date on which the debt was placed for collection, charged to profit or loss, or any similar action antedates the report by less than 180 days, or (2) a fully paid or settled medical debt that had been characterized as delinquent, charged off, or in collection which, from the date of payment or settlement, antedates the report by more than 45 days. The bill also amends the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act to require a debt collector, before informing a consumer reporting agency regarding a medical debt, to notify the consumer in writing that: (1) the debt collector could report the debt to a consumer reporting agency 180 days after the notification is sent, specifying the precise end date of the period; (2) the debt will not be reported if it is settled or paid during the 180-day period; and (3) the consumer may, during the 180-day period, either communicate with an insurance company to determine coverage for the debt or apply for financial assistance. The debt collector may not communicate with or report any information to a consumer reporting agency concerning such a debt during the 180-day period.
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Filing registrants (5)
2016 · fourth_quarter · Health Issues
Support H.R. 2362, the Medical Debt Relief Act. Commented to Support new United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) efforts to ensure patient safety through the release of draft guidance entitled Mixing, Diluting, or Repackaging Biological Products Outside the Scope of an Approved Biologic License Application. Joined with the I Am (Still) Essential Coalition to urge the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to ensure that the many patient protections included in the Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2016 and the Letter to Insurers are adhered to and strictly enforced as part of the 2016 upcoming Qualified Health Plan (QHP) review. Support the passage of H.R. 6, the 21st Century Cures Act. Joined with the Health IT Now Coalition in supporting the interoperability sections of H.R. 6, the 21st Century Cures Act. RetireSafe also specifically supported provisions in H.R. 6 designed to speed up the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) process through an established timeline so that much-needed new vaccines can be approved for coverage and use. Joined with numerous patient advocate organizations to urge Congress to maintain a strong and secure patent system that recognizes the rights of legitimate patent owners and addresses the new forms of abuses that have emerged in both the courts and at the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (PTO), especially in consideration of the critical nature of strong patent protection in the development of new therapies and treatments that could benefit millions of patients suffering with substantial unmet medical needs. RetireSafe supported maintaining 12 years of data exclusivity for biologic drugs under the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TTP) trade agreement as a key U.S. priority. With National Health Council, urged CMS to include accurate drug-specific out-of-pocket (OOP) costs in the proposed OOP cost estimator under development for the federally-facilitated marketplaces for the 2016 enrollment period. RetireSafe encouraged Members of Congress to hold a formal hearing to review FDA policy and guidance regarding the safe usage of biosimilar drugs. And, with other patient groups, advocated Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) and other rigorous safeguards to ensure the safe use of biosimilar drugs, especially for any federally mandated use. RetireSafe joined with 124 patient and community organizations to provide extensive comments on the Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2017 Proposed Rule, CMS 9937-P. Those comments included support for the proposed Standard Benefit Option (SBO) that will better enable consumers to compare plans and make informed choices. While we generally supported the SBO design, we expressed concern over the use of the Specialty Drug Tier and its use as a broad catch-all class insurers use to increase patient costs. We urged HHS to make all medications not subject to a deductible in all metal levels and tier levels, as we strongly believe that prescription medications should not be subject to a plans deductible. We also support the proposal that patient cost-sharing for most tiers and metal levels utilize reasonable cost-sharing, and oppose the use of coinsurance for the Specialty Drug Tier. We also repeated previous recommendations, and some new ones that would better protect enrollees access to needed prescription drugs, in addition to recommendations that would better ensure critical continuity of care. In addition, RetireSafe joined with 197 patient and community organizations to comment on the Office for Civil Rights, ACA Non-discrimination Proposed Rule (RIN 0945-AA02). We were especially interested in one key ACA provision, Section 1557, which prohibits discrimination in the health care system on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. While we were pleased to see the long awaited proposed regulation to implement Sec. 1557 finally issued, we did not think the proposal went far enough in defining discriminatory practices in plan benefit design as it relates to all beneficiaries, particularly those with serious and chronic health conditions who rely on prescription medications and other health care services. We urged HHS to better define what discriminatory plan practices are in the final rule. RetireSafe also joined with a number of patient groups to again highlight in comments to HHS the importance of Nondiscrimination in Health-Related Insurance; the importance of the Designation of Responsible Employees and the Adoption of Grievance Procedures; and finally, that Notice Requirements require that covered entities consider the needs of all beneficiaries, so that they may be fully aware of their rights under the law. RetireSafe joined with 124 patient organizations in the I Am Essential coalition to voice strong support for the Obama Administrations proposed patient protections that health insurance companies must include as they develop their 2017 Qualified Health Plans (QHPs), and continued to call on the Administration to actually enforce those critical patient protections. While we are encouraged by repeated statements that plans cannot discriminate against patients by, for example, placing every drug to treat a certain condition on the highest cost-sharing tier, we have seen little evidence of actual enforcement. We supported the U.S. Senate version of the Medical Debt Relief Act (S. 2592). RetireSafe continues to join with other patient groups to urge the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to require distinct, unique naming for any and all biosimilar drugs approved for use in the United States. We support the FDAs leadership in creating a system of distinguishable names for all biologic medicines, including biosimilars. This system recognizes the fact that biosimilars are not exact copies of their reference products, enhances patient safety and promotes pharmacovigilance. RetireSafe joined roughly 40 other patient groups to provide specific input to the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) urging a patient-centric approach to ICERs ongoing assessment of value-based treatments. ICERs determinations impact the private (and to some degree public) health insurance landscape relative to which treatments are approved for use and reimbursement. RetireSafe believes the individual patient perspective must be the critical element of the ICER assessment process going forward. RetireSafe joined with 153 patient advocacy groups in the I Am Essential coalition to respond by letter to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell regarding the HHS Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters (NBPP) for the 2018 Proposed Rule. The letter praised HHS proposals that create additional standardized plan options and utilize copays rather than co-insurance. The letter also emphasized the continued need for greater patient protections that end discriminatory practices that put patients at risk. The groups reiterated their longstanding opposition to the use of co-insurance on specialty drug tiers, which unfairly targets those with chronic and serious conditions and makes it difficult for beneficiaries to calculate costs before enrolling. The letter also highlighted other barriers to care, including excess utilization management and the lack of formulary coverage for prescribed medications.
Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
Introduced in House
Congress.gov source codes: 1000, Intro-H
Bills with similar content found using semantic analysis.
Sources: Congress.gov
Client expense: $11,560 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE
2016 · third_quarter · Health Issues
Support H.R. 2362, the Medical Debt Relief Act. Commented to Support new United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) efforts to ensure patient safety through the release of draft guidance entitled Mixing, Diluting, or Repackaging Biological Products Outside the Scope of an Approved Biologic License Application. Joined with the I Am (Still) Essential Coalition to urge the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to ensure that the many patient protections included in the Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2016 and the Letter to Insurers are adhered to and strictly enforced as part of the 2016 upcoming Qualified Health Plan (QHP) review. Support the passage of H.R. 6, the 21st Century Cures Act. Joined with the Health IT Now Coalition in supporting the interoperability sections of H.R. 6, the 21st Century Cures Act. RetireSafe also specifically supported provisions in H.R. 6 designed to speed up the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) process through an established timeline so that much-needed new vaccines can be approved for coverage and use. Joined with numerous patient advocate organizations to urge Congress to maintain a strong and secure patent system that recognizes the rights of legitimate patent owners and addresses the new forms of abuses that have emerged in both the courts and at the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (PTO), especially in consideration of the critical nature of strong patent protection in the development of new therapies and treatments that could benefit millions of patients suffering with substantial unmet medical needs. RetireSafe supported maintaining 12 years of data exclusivity for biologic drugs under the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TTP) trade agreement as a key U.S. priority. With National Health Council, urged CMS to include accurate drug-specific out-of-pocket (OOP) costs in the proposed OOP cost estimator under development for the federally-facilitated marketplaces for the 2016 enrollment period. RetireSafe encouraged Members of Congress to hold a formal hearing to review FDA policy and guidance regarding the safe usage of biosimilar drugs. And, with other patient groups, advocated Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) and other rigorous safeguards to ensure the safe use of biosimilar drugs, especially for any federally mandated use. RetireSafe joined with 124 patient and community organizations to provide extensive comments on the Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2017 Proposed Rule, CMS 9937-P. Those comments included support for the proposed Standard Benefit Option (SBO) that will better enable consumers to compare plans and make informed choices. While we generally supported the SBO design, we expressed concern over the use of the Specialty Drug Tier and its use as a broad catch-all class insurers use to increase patient costs. We urged HHS to make all medications not subject to a deductible in all metal levels and tier levels, as we strongly believe that prescription medications should not be subject to a plans deductible. We also support the proposal that patient cost-sharing for most tiers and metal levels utilize reasonable cost-sharing, and oppose the use of coinsurance for the Specialty Drug Tier. We also repeated previous recommendations, and some new ones that would better protect enrollees access to needed prescription drugs, in addition to recommendations that would better ensure critical continuity of care. In addition, RetireSafe joined with 197 patient and community organizations to comment on the Office for Civil Rights, ACA Non-discrimination Proposed Rule (RIN 0945-AA02). We were especially interested in one key ACA provision, Section 1557, which prohibits discrimination in the health care system on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. While we were pleased to see the long awaited proposed regulation to implement Sec. 1557 finally issued, we did not think the proposal went far enough in defining discriminatory practices in plan benefit design as it relates to all beneficiaries, particularly those with serious and chronic health conditions who rely on prescription medications and other health care services. We urged HHS to better define what discriminatory plan practices are in the final rule. RetireSafe also joined with a number of patient groups to again highlight in comments to HHS the importance of Nondiscrimination in Health-Related Insurance; the importance of the Designation of Responsible Employees and the Adoption of Grievance Procedures; and finally, that Notice Requirements require that covered entities consider the needs of all beneficiaries, so that they may be fully aware of their rights under the law. RetireSafe joined with 124 patient organizations in the I Am Essential coalition to voice strong support for the Obama Administrations proposed patient protections that health insurance companies must include as they develop their 2017 Qualified Health Plans (QHPs), and continued to call on the Administration to actually enforce those critical patient protections. While we are encouraged by repeated statements that plans cannot discriminate against patients by, for example, placing every drug to treat a certain condition on the highest cost-sharing tier, we have seen little evidence of actual enforcement. We supported the U.S. Senate version of the Medical Debt Relief Act (S. 2592). RetireSafe continues to join with other patient groups to urge the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to require distinct, unique naming for any and all biosimilar drugs approved for use in the United States. We support the FDAs leadership in creating a system of distinguishable names for all biologic medicines, including biosimilars. This system recognizes the fact that biosimilars are not exact copies of their reference products, enhances patient safety and promotes pharmacovigilance. RetireSafe joined roughly 40 other patient groups to provide specific input to the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) urging a patient-centric approach to ICERs ongoing assessment of value-based treatments. ICERs determinations impact the private (and to some degree public) health insurance landscape relative to which treatments are approved for use and reimbursement. RetireSafe believes the individual patient perspective must be the critical element of the ICER assessment process going forward.
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $10,368
Government targets: Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE
2016 · second_quarter · Health Issues
Support H.R. 2362, the Medical Debt Relief Act. Commented to Support new United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) efforts to ensure patient safety through the release of draft guidance entitled Mixing, Diluting, or Repackaging Biological Products Outside the Scope of an Approved Biologic License Application. Joined with the I Am (Still) Essential Coalition to urge the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to ensure that the many patient protections included in the Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2016 and the Letter to Insurers are adhered to and strictly enforced as part of the 2016 upcoming Qualified Health Plan (QHP) review. Support the passage of H.R. 6, the 21st Century Cures Act. Joined with the Health IT Now Coalition in supporting the interoperability sections of H.R. 6, the 21st Century Cures Act. RetireSafe also specifically supported provisions in H.R. 6 designed to speed up the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) process through an established timeline so that much-needed new vaccines can be approved for coverage and use. Joined with numerous patient advocate organizations to urge Congress to maintain a strong and secure patent system that recognizes the rights of legitimate patent owners and addresses the new forms of abuses that have emerged in both the courts and at the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (PTO), especially in consideration of the critical nature of strong patent protection in the development of new therapies and treatments that could benefit millions of patients suffering with substantial unmet medical needs. RetireSafe supported maintaining 12 years of data exclusivity for biologic drugs under the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TTP) trade agreement as a key U.S. priority. With National Health Council, urged CMS to include accurate drug-specific out-of-pocket (OOP) costs in the proposed OOP cost estimator under development for the federally-facilitated marketplaces for the 2016 enrollment period. RetireSafe encouraged Members of Congress to hold a formal hearing to review FDA policy and guidance regarding the safe usage of biosimilar drugs. And, with other patient groups, advocated Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) and other rigorous safeguards to ensure the safe use of biosimilar drugs, especially for any federally mandated use. RetireSafe joined with 124 patient and community organizations to provide extensive comments on the Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2017 Proposed Rule, CMS 9937-P. Those comments included support for the proposed Standard Benefit Option (SBO) that will better enable consumers to compare plans and make informed choices. While we generally supported the SBO design, we expressed concern over the use of the Specialty Drug Tier and its use as a broad catch-all class insurers use to increase patient costs. We urged HHS to make all medications not subject to a deductible in all metal levels and tier levels, as we strongly believe that prescription medications should not be subject to a plans deductible. We also support the proposal that patient cost-sharing for most tiers and metal levels utilize reasonable cost-sharing, and oppose the use of coinsurance for the Specialty Drug Tier. We also repeated previous recommendations, and some new ones that would better protect enrollees access to needed prescription drugs, in addition to recommendations that would better ensure critical continuity of care. In addition, RetireSafe joined with 197 patient and community organizations to comment on the Office for Civil Rights, ACA Non-discrimination Proposed Rule (RIN 0945-AA02). We were especially interested in one key ACA provision, Section 1557, which prohibits discrimination in the health care system on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. While we were pleased to see the long awaited proposed regulation to implement Sec. 1557 finally issued, we did not think the proposal went far enough in defining discriminatory practices in plan benefit design as it relates to all beneficiaries, particularly those with serious and chronic health conditions who rely on prescription medications and other health care services. We urged HHS to better define what discriminatory plan practices are in the final rule. RetireSafe also joined with a number of patient groups to again highlight in comments to HHS the importance of Nondiscrimination in Health-Related Insurance; the importance of the Designation of Responsible Employees and the Adoption of Grievance Procedures; and finally, that Notice Requirements require that covered entities consider the needs of all beneficiaries, so that they may be fully aware of their rights under the law. RetireSafe joined with 124 patient organizations in the I Am Essential coalition to voice strong support for the Obama Administrations proposed patient protections that health insurance companies must include as they develop their 2017 Qualified Health Plans (QHPs), and continued to call on the Administration to actually enforce those critical patient protections. While we are encouraged by repeated statements that plans cannot discriminate against patients by, for example, placing every drug to treat a certain condition on the highest cost-sharing tier, we have seen little evidence of actual enforcement. We supported the U.S. Senate version of the Medical Debt Relief Act (S. 2592). RetireSafe continues to join with other patient groups to urge the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to require distinct, unique naming for any and all biosimilar drugs approved for use in the United States. We support the FDAs leadership in creating a system of distinguishable names for all biologic medicines, including biosimilars. This system recognizes the fact that biosimilars are not exact copies of their reference products, enhances patient safety and promotes pharmacovigilance.
Client expense: $10,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE
2016 · first_quarter · Health Issues
Support H.R. 2362, the Medical Debt Relief Act. Commented to Support new United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) efforts to ensure patient safety through the release of draft guidance entitled Mixing, Diluting, or Repackaging Biological Products Outside the Scope of an Approved Biologic License Application. Joined with the I Am (Still) Essential Coalition to urge the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to ensure that the many patient protections included in the Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2016 and the Letter to Insurers are adhered to and strictly enforced as part of the 2016 upcoming Qualified Health Plan (QHP) review. Support the passage of H.R. 6, the 21st Century Cures Act. Joined with the Health IT Now Coalition in supporting the interoperability sections of H.R. 6, the 21st Century Cures Act. RetireSafe also specifically supported provisions in H.R. 6 designed to speed up the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) process through an established timeline so that much-needed new vaccines can be approved for coverage and use. Joined with numerous patient advocate organizations to urge Congress to maintain a strong and secure patent system that recognizes the rights of legitimate patent owners and addresses the new forms of abuses that have emerged in both the courts and at the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (PTO), especially in consideration of the critical nature of strong patent protection in the development of new therapies and treatments that could benefit millions of patients suffering with substantial unmet medical needs. RetireSafe supported maintaining 12 years of data exclusivity for biologic drugs under the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TTP) trade agreement as a key U.S. priority. With National Health Council, urged CMS to include accurate drug-specific out-of-pocket (OOP) costs in the proposed OOP cost estimator under development for the federally-facilitated marketplaces for the 2016 enrollment period. RetireSafe encouraged Members of Congress to hold a formal hearing to review FDA policy and guidance regarding the safe usage of biosimilar drugs. And, with other patient groups, advocated Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) and other rigorous safeguards to ensure the safe use of biosimilar drugs, especially for any federally mandated use. RetireSafe joined with 124 patient and community organizations to provide extensive comments on the Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2017 Proposed Rule, CMS 9937-P. Those comments included support for the proposed Standard Benefit Option (SBO) that will better enable consumers to compare plans and make informed choices. While we generally supported the SBO design, we expressed concern over the use of the Specialty Drug Tier and its use as a broad catch-all class insurers use to increase patient costs. We urged HHS to make all medications not subject to a deductible in all metal levels and tier levels, as we strongly believe that prescription medications should not be subject to a plans deductible. We also support the proposal that patient cost-sharing for most tiers and metal levels utilize reasonable cost-sharing, and oppose the use of coinsurance for the Specialty Drug Tier. We also repeated previous recommendations, and some new ones that would better protect enrollees access to needed prescription drugs, in addition to recommendations that would better ensure critical continuity of care. In addition, RetireSafe joined with 197 patient and community organizations to comment on the Office for Civil Rights, ACA Non-discrimination Proposed Rule (RIN 0945-AA02). We were especially interested in one key ACA provision, Section 1557, which prohibits discrimination in the health care system on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. While we were pleased to see the long awaited proposed regulation to implement Sec. 1557 finally issued, we did not think the proposal went far enough in defining discriminatory practices in plan benefit design as it relates to all beneficiaries, particularly those with serious and chronic health conditions who rely on prescription medications and other health care services. We urged HHS to better define what discriminatory plan practices are in the final rule. RetireSafe also joined with a number of patient groups to again highlight in comments to HHS the importance of Nondiscrimination in Health-Related Insurance; the importance of the Designation of Responsible Employees and the Adoption of Grievance Procedures; and finally, that Notice Requirements require that covered entities consider the needs of all beneficiaries, so that they may be fully aware of their rights under the law. RetireSafe joined with 124 patient organizations in the I Am Essential coalition to voice strong support for the Obama Administrations proposed patient protections that health insurance companies must include as they develop their 2017 Qualified Health Plans (QHPs), and continued to call on the Administration to actually enforce those critical patient protections. While we are encouraged by repeated statements that plans cannot discriminate against patients by, for example, placing every drug to treat a certain condition on the highest cost-sharing tier, we have seen little evidence of actual enforcement. We supported the U.S. Senate version of the Medical Debt Relief Act (S. 2592).
Client expense: $16,214 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE
2016 · fourth_quarter · Banking
Oppose any efforts to dismantle, weaken, or change the structure or the funding stream of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Support a rule from the CFPB regarding payday lending which require the lender to determine the borrowers ability to repay the loan, including consideration of income and expenses; does not sanction any series of repeat loans or provide a safe harbor for poorly underwritten loans; establishes an outer limit on length of indebtedness that is at least as short as the FDICs 2005 guidelines - 90 days in a twelve-month period; and restricts lenders from requiring a post-dated check or electronic access to a borrowers checking account as a condition of extending credit. Support the Department of Labor's "Fiduciary Responsibility" rule. Support the CFPB's study on forced arbitration clauses; oppose efforts to disable the CFPB to act on its findings. Oppose H.R. 685. Oppose H.R. 1529 Oppose H.R. 650 Oppose H.R. 1408 Oppose H.R. 1265 Oppose H.R. 1259 Oppose H.R. 1195 Oppose H.R. 601 Support S. 838 / H.R. 1565 Oppose H.R. 50 Oppose HR 37 Support continued implementation of Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act of 2010; oppose efforts to eliminate or weaken provisions of the law. Support S. 1133 / H.R.2087 Support HR 2362 Support a strong short term lending reform package by the CFPB that does not undermine state or local laws which may be stronger (offer more protection) Oppose HR 1210 Oppose HR 3192 Oppose HR 1737 Oppose HR 776 Oppose HR 1317 Oppose HR 1941 Oppose HR 3189 Support HR 3524 / S 1981 Support the Federal Insurance Office‟s effort to assess the affordability and accessibility of auto insurance in low-wealth communities, communities of color and underserved communities and the proposed definition of affordability and Affected Persons. Oppose HR 1266 Oppose S. 2038 Oppose H.R. 4018 Support principle reduction of mortgages by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Oppose H.R. 766. Support Operation Choke Point. Support full funding in FY 2017 for the 2020 Census and for the ACS Oppose any financial riders on FY17 spending bills Support a robust proposed survey of financing for auto buyers. Support CFPB moving forward on a rulemaking to address the widespread harm resulting from forced arbitration. Support Senators signing onto a letter to the CFPB in support of their auto lending efforts. Support extending the upcoming rule curbing short-term pay day and car title loans to long term payday and car title loans. Oppose granting certiorari in the case of Midland Funding LLC v. Madden. Support Director Cordray speaking to advocates from across the country about financial reform issues Oppose all budget riders to weaken the powers, structure, or funding of the CFPB --particularly opposing proposals that would limit, delay or remove their authority to take action on forced arbitration. Support reassessment of Treasurys plan to eliminate the GSEs capital buffers by the end of 2017. Oppose S. 2663 Oppose HR 5112 Support suspension of GSE dividend payments to Treasury, and require the GSEs to develop and implement capital restoration plans, so they have enough capital to safely manage their business and to support Americas housing finance system. Support the Comprehensive Consumer Credit Reporting Reform Act of 2016 Support HUD AFFH tools as designed to local PHAs and state and local governments with some strengthening suggestions. Support Rep. Meeks Congressional sign-on letter to the regulators urging better enforcement of the ComSupport the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) for releasing a strong proposed payday and car title lending rule and urge the Bureau to close some concerning loopholes that would allow some lenders to continue making harmful loans business as usual.munity Reinvestment Act Support the elimination / reduction of loan level price adjustments Support capturing the borrowers preferred language on mortgage application forms. Support HR 4893 Support principal reduction by HUD and FHFA. Support proposed CFPB rule to limit forced arbitration by financial services Support letter by Congressman Meeks (NY) to federal bank regulators that seeks reforms to CRA regulations and examinations practices. Support the proposed affordability standard set by Federal Insurance Office for future auto insurance research Oppose HR 5893 Support the inclusion of a company satisfaction survey to the CFPBs complaint process Oppose CFPB outline of proposed regulations of debt collection as they fail to sufficiently improve protect consumers victimized by predatory debt collection practices. Support proposed rule on short-term loans, including payday and car title loans, support strengthening rule to close loopholes. Oppose Congressional efforts to attach piecemeal GSE reform as amendments to must pass legislation. Oppose HR 5485 Oppose Guinta (NH)"auto lending" amendment to HR 5485 Support Sewell (AL)"payday lending" amendment to HR 5485 Support Moore (WI) "CFPB" amendment to HR 5485 Support Ellison "arbitration" amendment to HR 5485 Support proposed short-term loan rule, support strengthening to close loopholes Support providing credit reports in multiple languages for LEP individuals Support automatic debt relief for the defrauded former students of the for-profit Corinthian Colleges, Inc. Oppose all financial services riders to any and all appropriations bills Support FTC using its rulemaking authority to go after discriminatory auto lending Oppose rent-a-bank lending. Support increased FDIC oversight, as proposed by the FDIC, but call for additional measures including: A) The FDIC should not allow its member institutions to rent their charters; B) The FDICs definition of significant risk activity should mirror that of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) Third-Party Relationship Guidance; and C) The FDIC should propose guidance with stronger limits on third-party relationships and bring its regulation in line with the OCC. Oppose any riders to any appropriations bills that would weaken or undermine the CFPB, Dodd-Frank, Department of Labors conflict -of-interest rule (aka fiduciary rule) or other financial reform and accountability legislation or regulation. Support mortgage servicers to employ a phone hotline to efficiently address the most pressing of mortgage problems. Oppose HR 6392 Support S 3491 Support proposed CFPB Consumer Satisfaction Survey
Client expense: $68,750 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms & Explosives, Bureau of Prisons (BOP), Bureau of the Census, Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Council of Economic Advisers (CEA), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, Election Assistance Commission (EAC), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Interior, Dept of (DOI), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Credit Union Administration (NCUA), Natl Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST), Natl Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA), Office of Faith-Based & Community Initiatives, Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), SENATE, State, Dept of (DOS), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA), White House Office
2016 · fourth_quarter · Financial Institutions/Investments/Securities
Oppose any efforts to dismantle, weaken, or change the structure or the funding stream of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Support a rule from the CFPB regarding payday lending which require the lender to determine the borrowers ability to repay the loan, including consideration of income and expenses; does not sanction any series of repeat loans or provide a safe harbor for poorly underwritten loans; establishes an outer limit on length of indebtedness that is at least as short as the FDICs 2005 guidelines - 90 days in a twelve-month period; and restricts lenders from requiring a post-dated check or electronic access to a borrowers checking account as a condition of extending credit. Support the Department of Labor's proposed "Conflicted Advice Rule" (also known as the "Fiduciary Responsibility" rule) regarding retirement savings. Support the CFPB's study on forced arbitration clauses; oppose efforts to disable the CFPB to act on its findings. Oppose H.R. 685 Oppose H.R. 1529 Oppose H.R. 650 Oppose H.R. 1408 Oppose H.R. 1265 Oppose H.R. 1259 Oppose H.R. 1195 Oppose H.R. 601 Support S. 838 / H.R. 1565 oppose H.R. 50 Oppose HR 37 Support continued implementation of Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act of 2010; oppose efforts to eliminate or weaken provisions of the law Support S. 1133 / H.R.2087 Support HR 2362 Oppose S 1484 Oppose HR 1737 Support a strong short term lending reform package by the CFPB that does not undermine state or local laws which may be stronger (offer more protection) Urge FHA to improve its current proposal to change the certification requirements that lenders must make in order to secure Federal Housing Administration insurance on a mortgage loan and adopt an enhanced certification requirement that requires lenders to certify that they meet all three of the following: Exercise of due diligence and good faith in underwriting the mortgage and submitting the application for insurance, which is proposed; Establish, operate and monitor a Quality Control program that complies with all FHA requirements; and For any defects that occur notwithstanding compliance with the first two lender duties, timely remediate or indemnify FHA for any defects that affect the insurability of the loan. Oppose HR 1210 Oppose HR 3192 Oppose HR 1737 Oppose HR 776 Oppose HR 1317 Oppose HR 1941 Oppose HR 3189 Support HR 3524 / S 1981 Oppose HR 1266 Oppose H.R. 4018 Support principle reduction of mortgages Oppose H.R. 766. Support Operation Choke Point. Support a strong implementation of the Holder Rule, which says that when a seller of a good or service originates or helps arrange credit, the consumer is allowed to raise the sellers misconduct as a basis for bringing claims or defenses against the entity holding the debt. Oppose any financial riders on FY17 spending bills. Support a robust proposed survey of financing for auto buyers. Support CFPB moving forward on a rulemaking to address the widespread harm resulting from forced arbitration. Support Senators signing onto a letter to the CFPB in support of their auto lending efforts.Support extending the upcoming rule curbing short-term pay day and car title loans to long term payday and car title loans. Oppose granting certiorari in the case of Midland Funding LLC v. Madden Support Director Cordray speaking to advocates from across the country about financial reform issues Oppose all budget riders to weaken the powers, structure, or funding of the CFPB --particularly opposing proposals that would limit, delay or remove their authority to take action on forced arbitration. Support reassessment of Treasurys plan to eliminate the GSEs capital buffers by the end of 2017. Oppose S. 2663 Support making the AFFH Assessment tool more effective and closing gaps Oppose HR 5112 Support suspension of GSE dividend payments to Treasury, and require the GSEs to develop and implement capital restoration plans, so they have enough capital to safely manage their business and to support Americas housing finance system. Support the Comprehensive Consumer Credit Reporting Reform Act of 2016 Support HUD AFFH tools as designed to local PHAs and state and local governments with some strengthening suggestions. Support Rep. Meeks Congressional sign-on letter to the regulators urging better enforcement of the Community Reinvestment Act Support the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) for releasing a strong proposed payday and car title lending rule and urge the Bureau to close some concerning loopholes that would allow some lenders to continue making harmful loans business as usual. Support the elimination / reduction of loan level price adjustments Support capturing the borrowers preferred language on mortgage application forms. Support HR 4893 Support principal reduction by HUD and FHFA. Support proposed CFPB rule to limit forced arbitration by financial services Support letter by Congressman Meeks (NY) to federal bank regulators that seeks reforms to CRA regulations and examinations practices. Support the proposed affordability standard set by Federal Insurance Office for future auto insurance research Oppose HR 5893 Support the inclusion of a company satisfaction survey to the CFPBs complaint process. Oppose CFPB outline of proposed regulations of debt collection as they fail to sufficiently improve protect consumers victimized by predatory debt collection practices. Support proposed rule on short-term loans, including payday and car title loans, support strengthening rule to close loopholes, Oppose Congressional efforts to attach piecemeal GSE reform as amendments to must pass legislation. Oppose HR 5485 Oppose Guinta (NH)"auto lending" amendment to HR 5485 Support Sewell (AL)"payday lending" amendment to HR 5485 Support Moore (WI) "CFPB" amendment to HR 5485 Support Ellison "arbitration" amendment to HR 5485 Support proposed short-term loan rule, support strengthening to close loopholes Support providing credit reports in multiple languages for LEP individuals Support automatic debt relief for the defrauded former students of the for-profit Corinthian Colleges, Inc. Oppose all financial services riders to any and all appropriations bills Support FTC using its rulemaking authority to go after discriminatory auto lending Oppose rent-a-bank lending. Support increased FDIC oversight, as proposed by the FDIC, but call for additional measures including: A) The FDIC should not allow its member institutions to rent their charters; B) The FDICs definition of significant risk activity should mirror that of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) Third-Party Relationship Guidance; and C) The FDIC should propose guidance with stronger limits on third-party relationships and bring its regulation in line with the OCC. Oppose any riders to any appropriations bills that would weaken or undermine the CFPB, Dodd-Frank, Department of Labors conflict -of-interest rule (aka fiduciary rule) or other financial reform and accountability legislation or regulation. Support mortgage servicers to employ a phone hotline to efficiently address the most pressing of mortgage problems. Oppose HR 6392 Support S 3491 Support proposed CFPB Consumer Satisfaction Survey
2016 · fourth_quarter · Consumer Issues/Safety/Products
Oppose any efforts to dismantle, weaken, or change the structure or the funding stream of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Support the CFPB's study on forced arbitration clauses. Support S. 1133 / H.R.2087 Support HR 2362 Oppose HR 712 Oppose HR 1927 Support a robust proposed survey of financing for auto buyers Oppose granting certiorari in the case of Midland Funding LLC v. Madden Support an agreement that would enable Canadian drug company Biolyse to manufacture a more affordable generic version of cancer drug enzalutamide for export and sale in low- and middle-income countries Support S 3491 Support proposed CFPB Consumer Satisfaction Survey
Client expense: $68,750 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms & Explosives, Bureau of Prisons (BOP), Bureau of the Census, Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Council of Economic Advisers (CEA), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, Election Assistance Commission (EAC), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Interior, Dept of (DOI), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Credit Union Administration (NCUA), Natl Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST), Natl Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA), Office of Faith-Based & Community Initiatives, Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), SENATE, State, Dept of (DOS), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA), White House Office
2016 · fourth_quarter · Health Issues
Support H.R. 2362, the Medical Debt Relief Act. Commented to Support new United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) efforts to ensure patient safety through the release of draft guidance entitled Mixing, Diluting, or Repackaging Biological Products Outside the Scope of an Approved Biologic License Application. Joined with the I Am (Still) Essential Coalition to urge the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to ensure that the many patient protections included in the Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2016 and the Letter to Insurers are adhered to and strictly enforced as part of the 2016 upcoming Qualified Health Plan (QHP) review. Support the passage of H.R. 6, the 21st Century Cures Act. Joined with the Health IT Now Coalition in supporting the interoperability sections of H.R. 6, the 21st Century Cures Act. RetireSafe also specifically supported provisions in H.R. 6 designed to speed up the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) process through an established timeline so that much-needed new vaccines can be approved for coverage and use. Joined with numerous patient advocate organizations to urge Congress to maintain a strong and secure patent system that recognizes the rights of legitimate patent owners and addresses the new forms of abuses that have emerged in both the courts and at the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (PTO), especially in consideration of the critical nature of strong patent protection in the development of new therapies and treatments that could benefit millions of patients suffering with substantial unmet medical needs. RetireSafe supported maintaining 12 years of data exclusivity for biologic drugs under the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TTP) trade agreement as a key U.S. priority. With National Health Council, urged CMS to include accurate drug-specific out-of-pocket (OOP) costs in the proposed OOP cost estimator under development for the federally-facilitated marketplaces for the 2016 enrollment period. RetireSafe encouraged Members of Congress to hold a formal hearing to review FDA policy and guidance regarding the safe usage of biosimilar drugs. And, with other patient groups, advocated Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) and other rigorous safeguards to ensure the safe use of biosimilar drugs, especially for any federally mandated use. RetireSafe joined with 124 patient and community organizations to provide extensive comments on the Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2017 Proposed Rule, CMS 9937-P. Those comments included support for the proposed Standard Benefit Option (SBO) that will better enable consumers to compare plans and make informed choices. While we generally supported the SBO design, we expressed concern over the use of the Specialty Drug Tier and its use as a broad catch-all class insurers use to increase patient costs. We urged HHS to make all medications not subject to a deductible in all metal levels and tier levels, as we strongly believe that prescription medications should not be subject to a plans deductible. We also support the proposal that patient cost-sharing for most tiers and metal levels utilize reasonable cost-sharing, and oppose the use of coinsurance for the Specialty Drug Tier. We also repeated previous recommendations, and some new ones that would better protect enrollees access to needed prescription drugs, in addition to recommendations that would better ensure critical continuity of care. In addition, RetireSafe joined with 197 patient and community organizations to comment on the Office for Civil Rights, ACA Non-discrimination Proposed Rule (RIN 0945-AA02). We were especially interested in one key ACA provision, Section 1557, which prohibits discrimination in the health care system on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. While we were pleased to see the long awaited proposed regulation to implement Sec. 1557 finally issued, we did not think the proposal went far enough in defining discriminatory practices in plan benefit design as it relates to all beneficiaries, particularly those with serious and chronic health conditions who rely on prescription medications and other health care services. We urged HHS to better define what discriminatory plan practices are in the final rule. RetireSafe also joined with a number of patient groups to again highlight in comments to HHS the importance of Nondiscrimination in Health-Related Insurance; the importance of the Designation of Responsible Employees and the Adoption of Grievance Procedures; and finally, that Notice Requirements require that covered entities consider the needs of all beneficiaries, so that they may be fully aware of their rights under the law. RetireSafe joined with 124 patient organizations in the I Am Essential coalition to voice strong support for the Obama Administrations proposed patient protections that health insurance companies must include as they develop their 2017 Qualified Health Plans (QHPs), and continued to call on the Administration to actually enforce those critical patient protections. While we are encouraged by repeated statements that plans cannot discriminate against patients by, for example, placing every drug to treat a certain condition on the highest cost-sharing tier, we have seen little evidence of actual enforcement. We supported the U.S. Senate version of the Medical Debt Relief Act (S. 2592). RetireSafe continues to join with other patient groups to urge the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to require distinct, unique naming for any and all biosimilar drugs approved for use in the United States. We support the FDAs leadership in creating a system of distinguishable names for all biologic medicines, including biosimilars. This system recognizes the fact that biosimilars are not exact copies of their reference products, enhances patient safety and promotes pharmacovigilance. RetireSafe joined roughly 40 other patient groups to provide specific input to the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) urging a patient-centric approach to ICERs ongoing assessment of value-based treatments. ICERs determinations impact the private (and to some degree public) health insurance landscape relative to which treatments are approved for use and reimbursement. RetireSafe believes the individual patient perspective must be the critical element of the ICER assessment process going forward. RetireSafe joined with 153 patient advocacy groups in the I Am Essential coalition to respond by letter to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell regarding the HHS Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters (NBPP) for the 2018 Proposed Rule. The letter praised HHS proposals that create additional standardized plan options and utilize copays rather than co-insurance. The letter also emphasized the continued need for greater patient protections that end discriminatory practices that put patients at risk. The groups reiterated their longstanding opposition to the use of co-insurance on specialty drug tiers, which unfairly targets those with chronic and serious conditions and makes it difficult for beneficiaries to calculate costs before enrolling. The letter also highlighted other barriers to care, including excess utilization management and the lack of formulary coverage for prescribed medications.
2016 · fourth_quarter · Health Issues
Support H.R. 2362, the Medical Debt Relief Act. Commented to Support new United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) efforts to ensure patient safety through the release of draft guidance entitled Mixing, Diluting, or Repackaging Biological Products Outside the Scope of an Approved Biologic License Application. Joined with the I Am (Still) Essential Coalition to urge the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to ensure that the many patient protections included in the Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2016 and the Letter to Insurers are adhered to and strictly enforced as part of the 2016 upcoming Qualified Health Plan (QHP) review. Support the passage of H.R. 6, the 21st Century Cures Act. Joined with the Health IT Now Coalition in supporting the interoperability sections of H.R. 6, the 21st Century Cures Act. RetireSafe also specifically supported provisions in H.R. 6 designed to speed up the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) process through an established timeline so that much-needed new vaccines can be approved for coverage and use. Joined with numerous patient advocate organizations to urge Congress to maintain a strong and secure patent system that recognizes the rights of legitimate patent owners and addresses the new forms of abuses that have emerged in both the courts and at the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (PTO), especially in consideration of the critical nature of strong patent protection in the development of new therapies and treatments that could benefit millions of patients suffering with substantial unmet medical needs. RetireSafe supported maintaining 12 years of data exclusivity for biologic drugs under the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TTP) trade agreement as a key U.S. priority. With National Health Council, urged CMS to include accurate drug-specific out-of-pocket (OOP) costs in the proposed OOP cost estimator under development for the federally-facilitated marketplaces for the 2016 enrollment period. RetireSafe encouraged Members of Congress to hold a formal hearing to review FDA policy and guidance regarding the safe usage of biosimilar drugs. And, with other patient groups, advocated Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) and other rigorous safeguards to ensure the safe use of biosimilar drugs, especially for any federally mandated use. RetireSafe joined with 124 patient and community organizations to provide extensive comments on the Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2017 Proposed Rule, CMS 9937-P. Those comments included support for the proposed Standard Benefit Option (SBO) that will better enable consumers to compare plans and make informed choices. While we generally supported the SBO design, we expressed concern over the use of the Specialty Drug Tier and its use as a broad catch-all class insurers use to increase patient costs. We urged HHS to make all medications not subject to a deductible in all metal levels and tier levels, as we strongly believe that prescription medications should not be subject to a plans deductible. We also support the proposal that patient cost-sharing for most tiers and metal levels utilize reasonable cost-sharing, and oppose the use of coinsurance for the Specialty Drug Tier. We also repeated previous recommendations, and made some new ones that would better protect enrollees access to needed prescription drugs, in addition to recommendations that would better ensure critical continuity of care. In addition, RetireSafe joined with 197 patient and community organizations to comment on the Office for Civil Rights, ACA Non-discrimination Proposed Rule (RIN 0945-AA02). We were especially interested in one key ACA provision, Section 1557, which prohibits discrimination in the health care system on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. While we were pleased to see the long awaited proposed regulation to implement Sec. 1557 finally issued, we did not think the proposal went far enough in defining discriminatory practices in plan benefit design as it relates to all beneficiaries, particularly those with serious and chronic health conditions who rely on prescription medications and other health care services. We urged HHS to better define what discriminatory plan practices are in the final rule. RetireSafe also joined with a number of patient groups to again highlight in comments to HHS the importance of Nondiscrimination in Health-Related Insurance; the importance of the Designation of Responsible Employees and the Adoption of Grievance Procedures; and finally, that Notice Requirements require that covered entities consider the needs of all beneficiaries, so that they may be fully aware of their rights under the law. RetireSafe joined with 124 patient organizations in the I Am Essential coalition to voice strong support for the Obama Administrations proposed patient protections that health insurance companies must include as they develop their 2017 Qualified Health Plans (QHPs), and continued to call on the Administration to actually enforce those critical patient protections. While we are encouraged by repeated statements that plans cannot discriminate against patients by, for example, placing every drug to treat a certain condition on the highest cost-sharing tier, we have seen little evidence of actual enforcement. We supported the U.S. Senate version of the Medical Debt Relief Act (S. 2592). RetireSafe continues to join with other patient groups to urge the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to require distinct, unique naming for any and all biosimilar drugs approved for use in the United States. We support the FDAs leadership in creating a system of distinguishable names for all biologic medicines, including biosimilars. This system recognizes the fact that biosimilars are not exact copies of their reference products, enhances patient safety and promotes pharmacovigilance. RetireSafe joined roughly 40 other patient groups to provide specific input to the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) urging a patient-centric approach to ICERs ongoing assessment of value-based treatments. ICERs determinations impact the private (and to some degree public) health insurance landscape relative to which treatments are approved for use and reimbursement. RetireSafe believes the individual patient perspective must be the critical element of the ICER assessment process going forward. RetireSafe joined with 153 patient advocacy groups in the I Am Essential coalition to respond by letter to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell regarding the HHS Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters (NBPP) for the 2018 Proposed Rule. The letter praised HHS proposals that create additional standardized plan options and utilize copays rather than co-insurance. The letter also emphasized the continued need for greater patient protections that end discriminatory practices that put patients at risk. The groups reiterated their longstanding opposition to the use of co-insurance on specialty drug tiers, which unfairly targets those with chronic and serious conditions and makes it difficult for beneficiaries to calculate costs before enrolling. The letter also highlighted other barriers to care, including excess utilization management and the lack of formulary coverage for prescribed medications.
2016 · fourth_quarter · Government Issues
Medical debt and credit scores. Medical Debt Relief Act - H.R. 2362, S 2592. Credit Repair Organizations Act - H.R. 347. Alternative scores for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac - Credit Score Competition Act H.R. 4211. CFPB's Consumer complaint database - H.R. 5413, H.R. 5491. Data Security and Breach Notification - H.R.699, H.R. 4715, S 2659. Data Broker Accuracy of Collected Personal Information - H.R. 4516, H.R. 4517. Data Encryption. Military Lending Act and Department of Defense- Employment, Income and Status. Fraud Reduction and Data Analytics Act - S. 1233. CFPB - "Credit Invisibles" and the "unscoreable" - Consumers with a lack of credit history. CFPB - Use of arbitration agreements involving consumer financial products and services. CFPB - Short-term, small dollar lending. FIX Credit Reporting Errors Act - S. 1234. Stop Errors in Credit Use Reporting Act - S.1847. Alternative Credit Data - Telecom, utilities reporting consumer payment information to national credit bureaus. H.R. 4172. Credit Access and Inclusion. Equal Employment for All Act - Use of consumer credit for employment decisions. FCC Lifeline Program. Access to Credit Scores - H.R. 5010, H.R. 5058. Cybersecurity Threat Information Sharing - H.R. 1560. S. 2943 - National Defense Authorization Act. Removal of debt on a consumer credit report. FCRA and permissible purpose. S. 340 - Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). Improper payments.
Client expense: $250,000 · Firm income: Not reported
2016 · third_quarter · Health Issues
Support H.R. 2362, the Medical Debt Relief Act. Commented to Support new United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) efforts to ensure patient safety through the release of draft guidance entitled Mixing, Diluting, or Repackaging Biological Products Outside the Scope of an Approved Biologic License Application. Joined with the I Am (Still) Essential Coalition to urge the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to ensure that the many patient protections included in the Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2016 and the Letter to Insurers are adhered to and strictly enforced as part of the 2016 upcoming Qualified Health Plan (QHP) review. Support the passage of H.R. 6, the 21st Century Cures Act. Joined with the Health IT Now Coalition in supporting the interoperability sections of H.R. 6, the 21st Century Cures Act. RetireSafe also specifically supported provisions in H.R. 6 designed to speed up the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) process through an established timeline so that much-needed new vaccines can be approved for coverage and use. Joined with numerous patient advocate organizations to urge Congress to maintain a strong and secure patent system that recognizes the rights of legitimate patent owners and addresses the new forms of abuses that have emerged in both the courts and at the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (PTO), especially in consideration of the critical nature of strong patent protection in the development of new therapies and treatments that could benefit millions of patients suffering with substantial unmet medical needs. RetireSafe supported maintaining 12 years of data exclusivity for biologic drugs under the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TTP) trade agreement as a key U.S. priority. With National Health Council, urged CMS to include accurate drug-specific out-of-pocket (OOP) costs in the proposed OOP cost estimator under development for the federally-facilitated marketplaces for the 2016 enrollment period. RetireSafe encouraged Members of Congress to hold a formal hearing to review FDA policy and guidance regarding the safe usage of biosimilar drugs. And, with other patient groups, advocated Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) and other rigorous safeguards to ensure the safe use of biosimilar drugs, especially for any federally mandated use. RetireSafe joined with 124 patient and community organizations to provide extensive comments on the Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2017 Proposed Rule, CMS 9937-P. Those comments included support for the proposed Standard Benefit Option (SBO) that will better enable consumers to compare plans and make informed choices. While we generally supported the SBO design, we expressed concern over the use of the Specialty Drug Tier and its use as a broad catch-all class insurers use to increase patient costs. We urged HHS to make all medications not subject to a deductible in all metal levels and tier levels, as we strongly believe that prescription medications should not be subject to a plans deductible. We also support the proposal that patient cost-sharing for most tiers and metal levels utilize reasonable cost-sharing, and oppose the use of coinsurance for the Specialty Drug Tier. We also repeated previous recommendations, and some new ones that would better protect enrollees access to needed prescription drugs, in addition to recommendations that would better ensure critical continuity of care. In addition, RetireSafe joined with 197 patient and community organizations to comment on the Office for Civil Rights, ACA Non-discrimination Proposed Rule (RIN 0945-AA02). We were especially interested in one key ACA provision, Section 1557, which prohibits discrimination in the health care system on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. While we were pleased to see the long awaited proposed regulation to implement Sec. 1557 finally issued, we did not think the proposal went far enough in defining discriminatory practices in plan benefit design as it relates to all beneficiaries, particularly those with serious and chronic health conditions who rely on prescription medications and other health care services. We urged HHS to better define what discriminatory plan practices are in the final rule. RetireSafe also joined with a number of patient groups to again highlight in comments to HHS the importance of Nondiscrimination in Health-Related Insurance; the importance of the Designation of Responsible Employees and the Adoption of Grievance Procedures; and finally, that Notice Requirements require that covered entities consider the needs of all beneficiaries, so that they may be fully aware of their rights under the law. RetireSafe joined with 124 patient organizations in the I Am Essential coalition to voice strong support for the Obama Administrations proposed patient protections that health insurance companies must include as they develop their 2017 Qualified Health Plans (QHPs), and continued to call on the Administration to actually enforce those critical patient protections. While we are encouraged by repeated statements that plans cannot discriminate against patients by, for example, placing every drug to treat a certain condition on the highest cost-sharing tier, we have seen little evidence of actual enforcement. We supported the U.S. Senate version of the Medical Debt Relief Act (S. 2592). RetireSafe continues to join with other patient groups to urge the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to require distinct, unique naming for any and all biosimilar drugs approved for use in the United States. We support the FDAs leadership in creating a system of distinguishable names for all biologic medicines, including biosimilars. This system recognizes the fact that biosimilars are not exact copies of their reference products, enhances patient safety and promotes pharmacovigilance. RetireSafe joined roughly 40 other patient groups to provide specific input to the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) urging a patient-centric approach to ICERs ongoing assessment of value-based treatments. ICERs determinations impact the private (and to some degree public) health insurance landscape relative to which treatments are approved for use and reimbursement. RetireSafe believes the individual patient perspective must be the critical element of the ICER assessment process going forward.
2016 · third_quarter · Government Issues
Medical debt and credit scores. Medical Debt Relief Act - H.R. 2362, S 2592. Credit Repair Organizations Act - H.R. 347. Alternative scores for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac - Credit Score Competition Act H.R. 4211. CFPB's Consumer complaint database - H.R. 5413, H.R. 5491. Data Security and Breach Notification - H.R.699, H.R. 4715, S 2659. Data Broker Accuracy of Collected Personal Information - H.R. 4516, H.R. 4517. Data Encryption. Military Lending Act and Department of Defense- Employment, Income and Status. Fraud Reduction and Data Analytics Act - S. 1233. CFPB - "Credit Invisibles" and the "unscoreable" - Consumers with a lack of credit history. CFPB - Use of arbitration agreements involving consumer financial products and services. CFPB - Short-term, small dollar lending. FIX Credit Reporting Errors Act - S. 1234. Stop Errors in Credit Use Reporting Act - S.1847. Alternative Credit Data - Telecom, utilities reporting consumer payment information to national credit bureaus. H.R. 4172. Credit Access and Inclusion. Equal Employment for All Act - Use of consumer credit for employment decisions. FCC Lifeline Program. Access to Credit Scores - H.R. 5010, H.R. 5058. Cybersecurity Threat Information Sharing - H.R. 1560.
Client expense: $280,000 · Firm income: Not reported
2016 · third_quarter · Health Issues
Support H.R. 2362, the Medical Debt Relief Act. Commented to Support new United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) efforts to ensure patient safety through the release of draft guidance entitled Mixing, Diluting, or Repackaging Biological Products Outside the Scope of an Approved Biologic License Application. Joined with the I Am (Still) Essential Coalition to urge the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to ensure that the many patient protections included in the Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2016 and the Letter to Insurers are adhered to and strictly enforced as part of the 2016 upcoming Qualified Health Plan (QHP) review. Support the passage of H.R. 6, the 21st Century Cures Act. Joined with the Health IT Now Coalition in supporting the interoperability sections of H.R. 6, the 21st Century Cures Act. RetireSafe also specifically supported provisions in H.R. 6 designed to speed up the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) process through an established timeline so that much-needed new vaccines can be approved for coverage and use. Joined with numerous patient advocate organizations to urge Congress to maintain a strong and secure patent system that recognizes the rights of legitimate patent owners and addresses the new forms of abuses that have emerged in both the courts and at the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (PTO), especially in consideration of the critical nature of strong patent protection in the development of new therapies and treatments that could benefit millions of patients suffering with substantial unmet medical needs. RetireSafe supported maintaining 12 years of data exclusivity for biologic drugs under the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TTP) trade agreement as a key U.S. priority. With National Health Council, urged CMS to include accurate drug-specific out-of-pocket (OOP) costs in the proposed OOP cost estimator under development for the federally-facilitated marketplaces for the 2016 enrollment period. RetireSafe encouraged Members of Congress to hold a formal hearing to review FDA policy and guidance regarding the safe usage of biosimilar drugs. And, with other patient groups, advocated Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) and other rigorous safeguards to ensure the safe use of biosimilar drugs, especially for any federally mandated use. RetireSafe joined with 124 patient and community organizations to provide extensive comments on the Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2017 Proposed Rule, CMS 9937-P. Those comments included support for the proposed Standard Benefit Option (SBO) that will better enable consumers to compare plans and make informed choices. While we generally supported the SBO design, we expressed concern over the use of the Specialty Drug Tier and its use as a broad catch-all class insurers use to increase patient costs. We urged HHS to make all medications not subject to a deductible in all metal levels and tier levels, as we strongly believe that prescription medications should not be subject to a plans deductible. We also support the proposal that patient cost-sharing for most tiers and metal levels utilize reasonable cost-sharing, and oppose the use of coinsurance for the Specialty Drug Tier. We also repeated previous recommendations, and made some new ones that would better protect enrollees access to needed prescription drugs, in addition to recommendations that would better ensure critical continuity of care. In addition, RetireSafe joined with 197 patient and community organizations to comment on the Office for Civil Rights, ACA Non-discrimination Proposed Rule (RIN 0945-AA02). We were especially interested in one key ACA provision, Section 1557, which prohibits discrimination in the health care system on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. While we were pleased to see the long awaited proposed regulation to implement Sec. 1557 finally issued, we did not think the proposal went far enough in defining discriminatory practices in plan benefit design as it relates to all beneficiaries, particularly those with serious and chronic health conditions who rely on prescription medications and other health care services. We urged HHS to better define what discriminatory plan practices are in the final rule. RetireSafe also joined with a number of patient groups to again highlight in comments to HHS the importance of Nondiscrimination in Health-Related Insurance; the importance of the Designation of Responsible Employees and the Adoption of Grievance Procedures; and finally, that Notice Requirements require that covered entities consider the needs of all beneficiaries, so that they may be fully aware of their rights under the law. RetireSafe joined with 124 patient organizations in the I Am Essential coalition to voice strong support for the Obama Administrations proposed patient protections that health insurance companies must include as they develop their 2017 Qualified Health Plans (QHPs), and continued to call on the Administration to actually enforce those critical patient protections. While we are encouraged by repeated statements that plans cannot discriminate against patients by, for example, placing every drug to treat a certain condition on the highest cost-sharing tier, we have seen little evidence of actual enforcement. We supported the U.S. Senate version of the Medical Debt Relief Act (S. 2592). RetireSafe continues to join with other patient groups to urge the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to require distinct, unique naming for any and all biosimilar drugs approved for use in the United States. We support the FDAs leadership in creating a system of distinguishable names for all biologic medicines, including biosimilars. This system recognizes the fact that biosimilars are not exact copies of their reference products, enhances patient safety and promotes pharmacovigilance. RetireSafe joined roughly 40 other patient groups to provide specific input to the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) urging a patient-centric approach to ICERs ongoing assessment of value-based treatments. ICERs determinations impact the private (and to some degree public) health insurance landscape relative to which treatments are approved for use and reimbursement. RetireSafe believes the individual patient perspective must be the critical element of the ICER assessment process going forward.
2016 · third_quarter · Financial Institutions/Investments/Securities
Oppose any efforts to dismantle, weaken, or change the structure or the funding stream of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Support a rule from the CFPB regarding payday lending which require the lender to determine the borrowers ability to repay the loan, including consideration of income and expenses; does not sanction any series of repeat loans or provide a safe harbor for poorly underwritten loans; establishes an outer limit on length of indebtedness that is at least as short as the FDICs 2005 guidelines - 90 days in a twelve-month period; and restricts lenders from requiring a post-dated check or electronic access to a borrowers checking account as a condition of extending credit. Support the Department of Labor's proposed "Conflicted Advice Rule" (also known as the "Fiduciary Responsibility" rule) regarding retirement savings. Support the CFPB's study on forced arbitration clauses; oppose efforts to disable the CFPB to act on its findings. Oppose H.R. 685 Oppose H.R. 1529 Oppose H.R. 650 Oppose H.R. 1408 Oppose H.R. 1265 Oppose H.R. 1259 Oppose H.R. 1195 Oppose H.R. 601 Support S. 838 / H.R. 1565 oppose H.R. 50 Oppose HR 37 Support continued implementation of Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act of 2010; oppose efforts to eliminate or weaken provisions of the law Support S. 1133 / H.R.2087 Support HR 2362 Oppose S 1484 Oppose HR 1737 Support a strong short term lending reform package by the CFPB that does not undermine state or local laws which may be stronger (offer more protection) Urge FHA to improve its current proposal to change the certification requirements that lenders must make in order to secure Federal Housing Administration insurance on a mortgage loan and adopt an enhanced certification requirement that requires lenders to certify that they meet all three of the following: Exercise of due diligence and good faith in underwriting the mortgage and submitting the application for insurance, which is proposed; Establish, operate and monitor a Quality Control program that complies with all FHA requirements; and For any defects that occur notwithstanding compliance with the first two lender duties, timely remediate or indemnify FHA for any defects that affect the insurability of the loan. Oppose HR 1210 Oppose HR 3192 Oppose HR 1737 Oppose HR 776 Oppose HR 1317 Oppose HR 1941 Oppose HR 3189 Support HR 3524 / S 1981 Oppose HR 1266 Oppose H.R. 4018 Support principle reduction of mortgages Oppose H.R. 766. Support Operation Choke Point. Support a strong implementation of the Holder Rule, which says that when a seller of a good or service originates or helps arrange credit, the consumer is allowed to raise the sellers misconduct as a basis for bringing claims or defenses against the entity holding the debt. Oppose any financial riders on FY17 spending bills. Support a robust proposed survey of financing for auto buyers. Support CFPB moving forward on a rulemaking to address the widespread harm resulting from forced arbitration. Support Senators signing onto a letter to the CFPB in support of their auto lending efforts.Support extending the upcoming rule curbing short-term pay day and car title loans to long term payday and car title loans. Oppose granting certiorari in the case of Midland Funding LLC v. Madden Support Director Cordray speaking to advocates from across the country about financial reform issues Oppose all budget riders to weaken the powers, structure, or funding of the CFPB --particularly opposing proposals that would limit, delay or remove their authority to take action on forced arbitration. Support reassessment of Treasurys plan to eliminate the GSEs capital buffers by the end of 2017. Oppose S. 2663 Support making the AFFH Assessment tool more effective and closing gaps Oppose HR 5112 Support suspension of GSE dividend payments to Treasury, and require the GSEs to develop and implement capital restoration plans, so they have enough capital to safely manage their business and to support Americas housing finance system. Support the Comprehensive Consumer Credit Reporting Reform Act of 2016 Support HUD AFFH tools as designed to local PHAs and state and local governments with some strengthening suggestions. Support Rep. Meeks Congressional sign-on letter to the regulators urging better enforcement of the Community Reinvestment Act Support the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) for releasing a strong proposed payday and car title lending rule and urge the Bureau to close some concerning loopholes that would allow some lenders to continue making harmful loans business as usual. Support the elimination / reduction of loan level price adjustments Support capturing the borrowers preferred language on mortgage application forms. Support HR 4893 Support principal reduction by HUD and FHFA. Support proposed CFPB rule to limit forced arbitration by financial services Support letter by Congressman Meeks (NY) to federal bank regulators that seeks reforms to CRA regulations and examinations practices. Support the proposed affordability standard set by Federal Insurance Office for future auto insurance research Oppose HR 5893 Support the inclusion of a company satisfaction survey to the CFPBs complaint process. Oppose CFPB outline of proposed regulations of debt collection as they fail to sufficiently improve protect consumers victimized by predatory debt collection practices. Support proposed rule on short-term loans, including payday and car title loans, support strengthening rule to close loopholes, Oppose Congressional efforts to attach piecemeal GSE reform as amendments to must pass legislation. Oppose HR 5485 Oppose Guinta (NH)"auto lending" amendment to HR 5485 Support Sewell (AL)"payday lending" amendment to HR 5485 Support Moore (WI) "CFPB" amendment to HR 5485 Support Ellison "arbitration" amendment to HR 5485
2016 · third_quarter · Banking
Oppose any efforts to dismantle, weaken, or change the structure or the funding stream of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Support a rule from the CFPB regarding payday lending which require the lender to determine the borrowers ability to repay the loan, including consideration of income and expenses; does not sanction any series of repeat loans or provide a safe harbor for poorly underwritten loans; establishes an outer limit on length of indebtedness that is at least as short as the FDICs 2005 guidelines - 90 days in a twelve-month period; and restricts lenders from requiring a post-dated check or electronic access to a borrowers checking account as a condition of extending credit. Support the Department of Labor's "Fiduciary Responsibility" rule. Support the CFPB's study on forced arbitration clauses; oppose efforts to disable the CFPB to act on its findings. Oppose H.R. 685. Oppose H.R. 1529 Oppose H.R. 650 Oppose H.R. 1408 Oppose H.R. 1265 Oppose H.R. 1259 Oppose H.R. 1195 Oppose H.R. 601 Support S. 838 / H.R. 1565 Oppose H.R. 50 Oppose HR 37 Support continued implementation of Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act of 2010; oppose efforts to eliminate or weaken provisions of the law. Support S. 1133 / H.R.2087 Support HR 2362 Support a strong short term lending reform package by the CFPB that does not undermine state or local laws which may be stronger (offer more protection) Oppose HR 1210 Oppose HR 3192 Oppose HR 1737 Oppose HR 776 Oppose HR 1317 Oppose HR 1941 Oppose HR 3189 Support HR 3524 / S 1981 Support the Federal Insurance Office‟s effort to assess the affordability and accessibility of auto insurance in low-wealth communities, communities of color and underserved communities and the proposed definition of affordability and Affected Persons. Oppose HR 1266 Oppose S. 2038 Oppose H.R. 4018 Support principle reduction of mortgages by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Oppose H.R. 766. Support Operation Choke Point. Support full funding in FY 2017 for the 2020 Census and for the ACS Oppose any financial riders on FY17 spending bills Support a robust proposed survey of financing for auto buyers. Support CFPB moving forward on a rulemaking to address the widespread harm resulting from forced arbitration. Support Senators signing onto a letter to the CFPB in support of their auto lending efforts. Support extending the upcoming rule curbing short-term pay day and car title loans to long term payday and car title loans. Oppose granting certiorari in the case of Midland Funding LLC v. Madden. Support Director Cordray speaking to advocates from across the country about financial reform issues Oppose all budget riders to weaken the powers, structure, or funding of the CFPB --particularly opposing proposals that would limit, delay or remove their authority to take action on forced arbitration. Support reassessment of Treasurys plan to eliminate the GSEs capital buffers by the end of 2017. Oppose S. 2663 Oppose HR 5112 Support suspension of GSE dividend payments to Treasury, and require the GSEs to develop and implement capital restoration plans, so they have enough capital to safely manage their business and to support Americas housing finance system. Support the Comprehensive Consumer Credit Reporting Reform Act of 2016 Support HUD AFFH tools as designed to local PHAs and state and local governments with some strengthening suggestions. Support Rep. Meeks Congressional sign-on letter to the regulators urging better enforcement of the ComSupport the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) for releasing a strong proposed payday and car title lending rule and urge the Bureau to close some concerning loopholes that would allow some lenders to continue making harmful loans business as usual.munity Reinvestment Act Support the elimination / reduction of loan level price adjustments Support capturing the borrowers preferred language on mortgage application forms. Support HR 4893 Support principal reduction by HUD and FHFA. Support proposed CFPB rule to limit forced arbitration by financial services Support letter by Congressman Meeks (NY) to federal bank regulators that seeks reforms to CRA regulations and examinations practices. Support the proposed affordability standard set by Federal Insurance Office for future auto insurance research Oppose HR 5893 Support the inclusion of a company satisfaction survey to the CFPBs complaint process Oppose CFPB outline of proposed regulations of debt collection as they fail to sufficiently improve protect consumers victimized by predatory debt collection practices. Support proposed rule on short-term loans, including payday and car title loans, support strengthening rule to close loopholes. Oppose Congressional efforts to attach piecemeal GSE reform as amendments to must pass legislation. Oppose HR 5485 Oppose Guinta (NH)"auto lending" amendment to HR 5485 Support Sewell (AL)"payday lending" amendment to HR 5485 Support Moore (WI) "CFPB" amendment to HR 5485 Support Ellison "arbitration" amendment to HR 5485
2016 · third_quarter · Consumer Issues/Safety/Products
Oppose any efforts to dismantle, weaken, or change the structure or the funding stream of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Support the CFPB's study on forced arbitration clauses. Support S. 1133 / H.R.2087 Support HR 2362 Oppose HR 712 Oppose HR 1927 Support a robust proposed survey of financing for auto buyers Oppose granting certiorari in the case of Midland Funding LLC v. Madden
Client expense: $68,750 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms & Explosives, Bureau of Prisons (BOP), Bureau of the Census, Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Council of Economic Advisers (CEA), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, Election Assistance Commission (EAC), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Interior, Dept of (DOI), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Credit Union Administration (NCUA), Natl Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST), Natl Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA), Office of Faith-Based & Community Initiatives, Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), SENATE, State, Dept of (DOS), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA), White House Office
2016 · third_quarter · Financial Institutions/Investments/Securities
Oppose any efforts to dismantle, weaken, or change the structure or the funding stream of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Support a rule from the CFPB regarding payday lending which require the lender to determine the borrowers ability to repay the loan, including consideration of income and expenses; does not sanction any series of repeat loans or provide a safe harbor for poorly underwritten loans; establishes an outer limit on length of indebtedness that is at least as short as the FDICs 2005 guidelines - 90 days in a twelve-month period; and restricts lenders from requiring a post-dated check or electronic access to a borrowers checking account as a condition of extending credit. Support the Department of Labor's proposed "Conflicted Advice Rule" (also known as the "Fiduciary Responsibility" rule) regarding retirement savings. Support the CFPB's study on forced arbitration clauses; oppose efforts to disable the CFPB to act on its findings. Oppose H.R. 685 Oppose H.R. 1529 Oppose H.R. 650 Oppose H.R. 1408 Oppose H.R. 1265 Oppose H.R. 1259 Oppose H.R. 1195 Oppose H.R. 601 Support S. 838 / H.R. 1565 oppose H.R. 50 Oppose HR 37 Support continued implementation of Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act of 2010; oppose efforts to eliminate or weaken provisions of the law Support S. 1133 / H.R.2087 Support HR 2362 Oppose S 1484 Oppose HR 1737 Support a strong short term lending reform package by the CFPB that does not undermine state or local laws which may be stronger (offer more protection) Urge FHA to improve its current proposal to change the certification requirements that lenders must make in order to secure Federal Housing Administration insurance on a mortgage loan and adopt an enhanced certification requirement that requires lenders to certify that they meet all three of the following: Exercise of due diligence and good faith in underwriting the mortgage and submitting the application for insurance, which is proposed; Establish, operate and monitor a Quality Control program that complies with all FHA requirements; and For any defects that occur notwithstanding compliance with the first two lender duties, timely remediate or indemnify FHA for any defects that affect the insurability of the loan. Oppose HR 1210 Oppose HR 3192 Oppose HR 1737 Oppose HR 776 Oppose HR 1317 Oppose HR 1941 Oppose HR 3189 Support HR 3524 / S 1981 Oppose HR 1266 Oppose H.R. 4018 Support principle reduction of mortgages Oppose H.R. 766. Support Operation Choke Point. Support a strong implementation of the Holder Rule, which says that when a seller of a good or service originates or helps arrange credit, the consumer is allowed to raise the sellers misconduct as a basis for bringing claims or defenses against the entity holding the debt. Oppose any financial riders on FY17 spending bills. Support a robust proposed survey of financing for auto buyers. Support CFPB moving forward on a rulemaking to address the widespread harm resulting from forced arbitration. Support Senators signing onto a letter to the CFPB in support of their auto lending efforts.Support extending the upcoming rule curbing short-term pay day and car title loans to long term payday and car title loans. Oppose granting certiorari in the case of Midland Funding LLC v. Madden Support Director Cordray speaking to advocates from across the country about financial reform issues Oppose all budget riders to weaken the powers, structure, or funding of the CFPB --particularly opposing proposals that would limit, delay or remove their authority to take action on forced arbitration. Support reassessment of Treasurys plan to eliminate the GSEs capital buffers by the end of 2017. Oppose S. 2663 Support making the AFFH Assessment tool more effective and closing gaps Oppose HR 5112 Support suspension of GSE dividend payments to Treasury, and require the GSEs to develop and implement capital restoration plans, so they have enough capital to safely manage their business and to support Americas housing finance system. Support the Comprehensive Consumer Credit Reporting Reform Act of 2016 Support HUD AFFH tools as designed to local PHAs and state and local governments with some strengthening suggestions. Support Rep. Meeks Congressional sign-on letter to the regulators urging better enforcement of the Community Reinvestment Act Support the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) for releasing a strong proposed payday and car title lending rule and urge the Bureau to close some concerning loopholes that would allow some lenders to continue making harmful loans business as usual. Support the elimination / reduction of loan level price adjustments Support capturing the borrowers preferred language on mortgage application forms. Support HR 4893 Support principal reduction by HUD and FHFA. Support proposed CFPB rule to limit forced arbitration by financial services Support letter by Congressman Meeks (NY) to federal bank regulators that seeks reforms to CRA regulations and examinations practices. Support the proposed affordability standard set by Federal Insurance Office for future auto insurance research Oppose HR 5893 Support the inclusion of a company satisfaction survey to the CFPBs complaint process. Oppose CFPB outline of proposed regulations of debt collection as they fail to sufficiently improve protect consumers victimized by predatory debt collection practices. Support proposed rule on short-term loans, including payday and car title loans, support strengthening rule to close loopholes, Oppose Congressional efforts to attach piecemeal GSE reform as amendments to must pass legislation.
2016 · third_quarter · Banking
Oppose any efforts to dismantle, weaken, or change the structure or the funding stream of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Support a rule from the CFPB regarding payday lending which require the lender to determine the borrowers ability to repay the loan, including consideration of income and expenses; does not sanction any series of repeat loans or provide a safe harbor for poorly underwritten loans; establishes an outer limit on length of indebtedness that is at least as short as the FDICs 2005 guidelines - 90 days in a twelve-month period; and restricts lenders from requiring a post-dated check or electronic access to a borrowers checking account as a condition of extending credit. Support the Department of Labor's "Fiduciary Responsibility" rule. Support the CFPB's study on forced arbitration clauses; oppose efforts to disable the CFPB to act on its findings. Oppose H.R. 685. Oppose H.R. 1529 Oppose H.R. 650 Oppose H.R. 1408 Oppose H.R. 1265 Oppose H.R. 1259 Oppose H.R. 1195 Oppose H.R. 601 Support S. 838 / H.R. 1565 Oppose H.R. 50 Oppose HR 37 Support continued implementation of Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act of 2010; oppose efforts to eliminate or weaken provisions of the law. Support S. 1133 / H.R.2087 Support HR 2362 Support a strong short term lending reform package by the CFPB that does not undermine state or local laws which may be stronger (offer more protection) Oppose HR 1210 Oppose HR 3192 Oppose HR 1737 Oppose HR 776 Oppose HR 1317 Oppose HR 1941 Oppose HR 3189 Support HR 3524 / S 1981 Support the Federal Insurance Office‟s effort to assess the affordability and accessibility of auto insurance in low-wealth communities, communities of color and underserved communities and the proposed definition of affordability and Affected Persons. Oppose HR 1266 Oppose S. 2038 Oppose H.R. 4018 Support principle reduction of mortgages by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Oppose H.R. 766. Support Operation Choke Point. Support full funding in FY 2017 for the 2020 Census and for the ACS Oppose any financial riders on FY17 spending bills Support a robust proposed survey of financing for auto buyers. Support CFPB moving forward on a rulemaking to address the widespread harm resulting from forced arbitration. Support Senators signing onto a letter to the CFPB in support of their auto lending efforts. Support extending the upcoming rule curbing short-term pay day and car title loans to long term payday and car title loans. Oppose granting certiorari in the case of Midland Funding LLC v. Madden. Support Director Cordray speaking to advocates from across the country about financial reform issues Oppose all budget riders to weaken the powers, structure, or funding of the CFPB --particularly opposing proposals that would limit, delay or remove their authority to take action on forced arbitration. Support reassessment of Treasurys plan to eliminate the GSEs capital buffers by the end of 2017. Oppose S. 2663 Oppose HR 5112 Support suspension of GSE dividend payments to Treasury, and require the GSEs to develop and implement capital restoration plans, so they have enough capital to safely manage their business and to support Americas housing finance system. Support the Comprehensive Consumer Credit Reporting Reform Act of 2016 Support HUD AFFH tools as designed to local PHAs and state and local governments with some strengthening suggestions. Support Rep. Meeks Congressional sign-on letter to the regulators urging better enforcement of the ComSupport the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) for releasing a strong proposed payday and car title lending rule and urge the Bureau to close some concerning loopholes that would allow some lenders to continue making harmful loans business as usual.munity Reinvestment Act Support the elimination / reduction of loan level price adjustments Support capturing the borrowers preferred language on mortgage application forms. Support HR 4893 Support principal reduction by HUD and FHFA. Support proposed CFPB rule to limit forced arbitration by financial services Support letter by Congressman Meeks (NY) to federal bank regulators that seeks reforms to CRA regulations and examinations practices. Support the proposed affordability standard set by Federal Insurance Office for future auto insurance research Oppose HR 5893 Support the inclusion of a company satisfaction survey to the CFPBs complaint process Oppose CFPB outline of proposed regulations of debt collection as they fail to sufficiently improve protect consumers victimized by predatory debt collection practices. Support proposed rule on short-term loans, including payday and car title loans, support strengthening rule to close loopholes. Oppose Congressional efforts to attach piecemeal GSE reform as amendments to must pass legislation.
2016 · third_quarter · Consumer Issues/Safety/Products
Oppose any efforts to dismantle, weaken, or change the structure or the funding stream of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Support the CFPB's study on forced arbitration clauses. Support S. 1133 / H.R.2087 Support HR 2362 Oppose HR 712 Oppose HR 1927 Support a robust proposed survey of financing for auto buyers Oppose granting certiorari in the case of Midland Funding LLC v. Madden
Client expense: $68,750 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms & Explosives, Bureau of Prisons (BOP), Bureau of the Census, Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Council of Economic Advisers (CEA), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, Election Assistance Commission (EAC), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Interior, Dept of (DOI), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Credit Union Administration (NCUA), Natl Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST), Natl Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA), Office of Faith-Based & Community Initiatives, Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), SENATE, State, Dept of (DOS), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA), White House Office
2016 · second_quarter · Banking
Oppose any efforts to dismantle, weaken, or change the structure or the funding stream of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Support a rule from the CFPB regarding payday lending which require the lender to determine the borrowers ability to repay the loan, including consideration of income and expenses; does not sanction any series of repeat loans or provide a safe harbor for poorly underwritten loans; establishes an outer limit on length of indebtedness that is at least as short as the FDICs 2005 guidelines - 90 days in a twelve-month period; and restricts lenders from requiring a post-dated check or electronic access to a borrowers checking account as a condition of extending credit. Support the Department of Labor's "Fiduciary Responsibility" rule. Support the CFPB's study on forced arbitration clauses; oppose efforts to disable the CFPB to act on its findings. Oppose H.R. 685. Oppose H.R. 1529 Oppose H.R. 650 Oppose H.R. 1408 Oppose H.R. 1265 Oppose H.R. 1259 Oppose H.R. 1195 Oppose H.R. 601 Support S. 838 / H.R. 1565 Oppose H.R. 50 Oppose HR 37 Support continued implementation of Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act of 2010; oppose efforts to eliminate or weaken provisions of the law. Support S. 1133 / H.R.2087 Support HR 2362 Support a strong short term lending reform package by the CFPB that does not undermine state or local laws which may be stronger (offer more protection) Oppose HR 1210 Oppose HR 3192 Oppose HR 1737 Oppose HR 776 Oppose HR 1317 Oppose HR 1941 Oppose HR 3189 Support HR 3524 / S 1981 Support the Federal Insurance Office‟s effort to assess the affordability and accessibility of auto insurance in low-wealth communities, communities of color and underserved communities and the proposed definition of affordability and Affected Persons. Oppose HR 1266 Oppose S. 2038 Oppose H.R. 4018 Support principle reduction of mortgages by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Oppose H.R. 766. Support Operation Choke Point. Support full funding in FY 2017 for the 2020 Census and for the ACS Oppose any financial riders on FY17 spending bills Support a robust proposed survey of financing for auto buyers. Support CFPB moving forward on a rulemaking to address the widespread harm resulting from forced arbitration. Support Senators signing onto a letter to the CFPB in support of their auto lending efforts. Support extending the upcoming rule curbing short-term pay day and car title loans to long term payday and car title loans. Oppose granting certiorari in the case of Midland Funding LLC v. Madden. Support Director Cordray speaking to advocates from across the country about financial reform issues Oppose all budget riders to weaken the powers, structure, or funding of the CFPB --particularly opposing proposals that would limit, delay or remove their authority to take action on forced arbitration. Support reassessment of Treasurys plan to eliminate the GSEs capital buffers by the end of 2017. Oppose S. 2663 Oppose HR 5112 Support suspension of GSE dividend payments to Treasury, and require the GSEs to develop and implement capital restoration plans, so they have enough capital to safely manage their business and to support Americas housing finance system. Support the Comprehensive Consumer Credit Reporting Reform Act of 2016 Support HUD AFFH tools as designed to local PHAs and state and local governments with some strengthening suggestions. Support Rep. Meeks Congressional sign-on letter to the regulators urging better enforcement of the ComSupport the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) for releasing a strong proposed payday and car title lending rule and urge the Bureau to close some concerning loopholes that would allow some lenders to continue making harmful loans business as usual.munity Reinvestment Act Support the elimination / reduction of loan level price adjustments Support capturing the borrowers preferred language on mortgage application forms. Support HR 4893 Support principal reduction by HUD and FHFA.
2016 · second_quarter · Consumer Issues/Safety/Products
Oppose any efforts to dismantle, weaken, or change the structure or the funding stream of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Support the CFPB's study on forced arbitration clauses. Support S. 1133 / H.R.2087 Support HR 2362 Oppose HR 712 Oppose HR 1927 Support a robust proposed survey of financing for auto buyers Oppose granting certiorari in the case of Midland Funding LLC v. Madden
Client expense: $68,750 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms & Explosives, Bureau of Prisons (BOP), Bureau of the Census, Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Council of Economic Advisers (CEA), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, Election Assistance Commission (EAC), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Interior, Dept of (DOI), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Credit Union Administration (NCUA), Natl Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST), Natl Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA), Office of Faith-Based & Community Initiatives, Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), SENATE, State, Dept of (DOS), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA), White House Office
2016 · second_quarter · Financial Institutions/Investments/Securities
Oppose any efforts to dismantle, weaken, or change the structure or the funding stream of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Support a rule from the CFPB regarding payday lending which require the lender to determine the borrowers ability to repay the loan, including consideration of income and expenses; does not sanction any series of repeat loans or provide a safe harbor for poorly underwritten loans; establishes an outer limit on length of indebtedness that is at least as short as the FDICs 2005 guidelines - 90 days in a twelve-month period; and restricts lenders from requiring a post-dated check or electronic access to a borrowers checking account as a condition of extending credit. Support the Department of Labor's proposed "Conflicted Advice Rule" (also known as the "Fiduciary Responsibility" rule) regarding retirement savings. Support the CFPB's study on forced arbitration clauses; oppose efforts to disable the CFPB to act on its findings. Oppose H.R. 685 Oppose H.R. 1529 Oppose H.R. 650 Oppose H.R. 1408 Oppose H.R. 1265 Oppose H.R. 1259 Oppose H.R. 1195 Oppose H.R. 601 Support S. 838 / H.R. 1565 oppose H.R. 50 Oppose HR 37 Support continued implementation of Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act of 2010; oppose efforts to eliminate or weaken provisions of the law Support S. 1133 / H.R.2087 Support HR 2362 Oppose S 1484 Oppose HR 1737 Support a strong short term lending reform package by the CFPB that does not undermine state or local laws which may be stronger (offer more protection) Urge FHA to improve its current proposal to change the certification requirements that lenders must make in order to secure Federal Housing Administration insurance on a mortgage loan and adopt an enhanced certification requirement that requires lenders to certify that they meet all three of the following: Exercise of due diligence and good faith in underwriting the mortgage and submitting the application for insurance, which is proposed; Establish, operate and monitor a Quality Control program that complies with all FHA requirements; and For any defects that occur notwithstanding compliance with the first two lender duties, timely remediate or indemnify FHA for any defects that affect the insurability of the loan. Oppose HR 1210 Oppose HR 3192 Oppose HR 1737 Oppose HR 776 Oppose HR 1317 Oppose HR 1941 Oppose HR 3189 Support HR 3524 / S 1981 Oppose HR 1266 Oppose H.R. 4018 Support principle reduction of mortgages Oppose H.R. 766. Support Operation Choke Point. Support a strong implementation of the Holder Rule, which says that when a seller of a good or service originates or helps arrange credit, the consumer is allowed to raise the sellers misconduct as a basis for bringing claims or defenses against the entity holding the debt. Oppose any financial riders on FY17 spending bills. Support a robust proposed survey of financing for auto buyers. Support CFPB moving forward on a rulemaking to address the widespread harm resulting from forced arbitration. Support Senators signing onto a letter to the CFPB in support of their auto lending efforts.Support extending the upcoming rule curbing short-term pay day and car title loans to long term payday and car title loans. Oppose granting certiorari in the case of Midland Funding LLC v. Madden Support Director Cordray speaking to advocates from across the country about financial reform issues Oppose all budget riders to weaken the powers, structure, or funding of the CFPB --particularly opposing proposals that would limit, delay or remove their authority to take action on forced arbitration. Support reassessment of Treasurys plan to eliminate the GSEs capital buffers by the end of 2017. Oppose S. 2663 Support making the AFFH Assessment tool more effective and closing gaps Oppose HR 5112 Support suspension of GSE dividend payments to Treasury, and require the GSEs to develop and implement capital restoration plans, so they have enough capital to safely manage their business and to support Americas housing finance system. Support the Comprehensive Consumer Credit Reporting Reform Act of 2016 Support HUD AFFH tools as designed to local PHAs and state and local governments with some strengthening suggestions. Support Rep. Meeks Congressional sign-on letter to the regulators urging better enforcement of the Community Reinvestment Act Support the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) for releasing a strong proposed payday and car title lending rule and urge the Bureau to close some concerning loopholes that would allow some lenders to continue making harmful loans business as usual. Support the elimination / reduction of loan level price adjustments Support capturing the borrowers preferred language on mortgage application forms. Support HR 4893 Support principal reduction by HUD and FHFA.
2016 · second_quarter · Health Issues
Support H.R. 2362, the Medical Debt Relief Act. Commented to Support new United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) efforts to ensure patient safety through the release of draft guidance entitled Mixing, Diluting, or Repackaging Biological Products Outside the Scope of an Approved Biologic License Application. Joined with the I Am (Still) Essential Coalition to urge the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to ensure that the many patient protections included in the Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2016 and the Letter to Insurers are adhered to and strictly enforced as part of the 2016 upcoming Qualified Health Plan (QHP) review. Support the passage of H.R. 6, the 21st Century Cures Act. Joined with the Health IT Now Coalition in supporting the interoperability sections of H.R. 6, the 21st Century Cures Act. RetireSafe also specifically supported provisions in H.R. 6 designed to speed up the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) process through an established timeline so that much-needed new vaccines can be approved for coverage and use. Joined with numerous patient advocate organizations to urge Congress to maintain a strong and secure patent system that recognizes the rights of legitimate patent owners and addresses the new forms of abuses that have emerged in both the courts and at the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (PTO), especially in consideration of the critical nature of strong patent protection in the development of new therapies and treatments that could benefit millions of patients suffering with substantial unmet medical needs. RetireSafe supported maintaining 12 years of data exclusivity for biologic drugs under the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TTP) trade agreement as a key U.S. priority. With National Health Council, urged CMS to include accurate drug-specific out-of-pocket (OOP) costs in the proposed OOP cost estimator under development for the federally-facilitated marketplaces for the 2016 enrollment period. RetireSafe encouraged Members of Congress to hold a formal hearing to review FDA policy and guidance regarding the safe usage of biosimilar drugs. And, with other patient groups, advocated Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) and other rigorous safeguards to ensure the safe use of biosimilar drugs, especially for any federally mandated use. RetireSafe joined with 124 patient and community organizations to provide extensive comments on the Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2017 Proposed Rule, CMS 9937-P. Those comments included support for the proposed Standard Benefit Option (SBO) that will better enable consumers to compare plans and make informed choices. While we generally supported the SBO design, we expressed concern over the use of the Specialty Drug Tier and its use as a broad catch-all class insurers use to increase patient costs. We urged HHS to make all medications not subject to a deductible in all metal levels and tier levels, as we strongly believe that prescription medications should not be subject to a plans deductible. We also support the proposal that patient cost-sharing for most tiers and metal levels utilize reasonable cost-sharing, and oppose the use of coinsurance for the Specialty Drug Tier. We also repeated previous recommendations, and some new ones that would better protect enrollees access to needed prescription drugs, in addition to recommendations that would better ensure critical continuity of care. In addition, RetireSafe joined with 197 patient and community organizations to comment on the Office for Civil Rights, ACA Non-discrimination Proposed Rule (RIN 0945-AA02). We were especially interested in one key ACA provision, Section 1557, which prohibits discrimination in the health care system on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. While we were pleased to see the long awaited proposed regulation to implement Sec. 1557 finally issued, we did not think the proposal went far enough in defining discriminatory practices in plan benefit design as it relates to all beneficiaries, particularly those with serious and chronic health conditions who rely on prescription medications and other health care services. We urged HHS to better define what discriminatory plan practices are in the final rule. RetireSafe also joined with a number of patient groups to again highlight in comments to HHS the importance of Nondiscrimination in Health-Related Insurance; the importance of the Designation of Responsible Employees and the Adoption of Grievance Procedures; and finally, that Notice Requirements require that covered entities consider the needs of all beneficiaries, so that they may be fully aware of their rights under the law. RetireSafe joined with 124 patient organizations in the I Am Essential coalition to voice strong support for the Obama Administrations proposed patient protections that health insurance companies must include as they develop their 2017 Qualified Health Plans (QHPs), and continued to call on the Administration to actually enforce those critical patient protections. While we are encouraged by repeated statements that plans cannot discriminate against patients by, for example, placing every drug to treat a certain condition on the highest cost-sharing tier, we have seen little evidence of actual enforcement. We supported the U.S. Senate version of the Medical Debt Relief Act (S. 2592). RetireSafe continues to join with other patient groups to urge the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to require distinct, unique naming for any and all biosimilar drugs approved for use in the United States. We support the FDAs leadership in creating a system of distinguishable names for all biologic medicines, including biosimilars. This system recognizes the fact that biosimilars are not exact copies of their reference products, enhances patient safety and promotes pharmacovigilance.
2016 · second_quarter · Health Issues
Support H.R. 2362, the Medical Debt Relief Act. Commented to Support new United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) efforts to ensure patient safety through the release of draft guidance entitled Mixing, Diluting, or Repackaging Biological Products Outside the Scope of an Approved Biologic License Application. Joined with the I Am (Still) Essential Coalition to urge the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to ensure that the many patient protections included in the Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2016 and the Letter to Insurers are adhered to and strictly enforced as part of the 2016 upcoming Qualified Health Plan (QHP) review. Support the passage of H.R. 6, the 21st Century Cures Act. Joined with the Health IT Now Coalition in supporting the interoperability sections of H.R. 6, the 21st Century Cures Act. RetireSafe also specifically supported provisions in H.R. 6 designed to speed up the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) process through an established timeline so that much-needed new vaccines can be approved for coverage and use. Joined with numerous patient advocate organizations to urge Congress to maintain a strong and secure patent system that recognizes the rights of legitimate patent owners and addresses the new forms of abuses that have emerged in both the courts and at the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (PTO), especially in consideration of the critical nature of strong patent protection in the development of new therapies and treatments that could benefit millions of patients suffering with substantial unmet medical needs. RetireSafe supported maintaining 12 years of data exclusivity for biologic drugs under the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TTP) trade agreement as a key U.S. priority. With National Health Council, urged CMS to include accurate drug-specific out-of-pocket (OOP) costs in the proposed OOP cost estimator under development for the federally-facilitated marketplaces for the 2016 enrollment period. RetireSafe encouraged Members of Congress to hold a formal hearing to review FDA policy and guidance regarding the safe usage of biosimilar drugs. And, with other patient groups, advocated Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) and other rigorous safeguards to ensure the safe use of biosimilar drugs, especially for any federally mandated use. RetireSafe joined with 124 patient and community organizations to provide extensive comments on the Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2017 Proposed Rule, CMS 9937-P. Those comments included support for the proposed Standard Benefit Option (SBO) that will better enable consumers to compare plans and make informed choices. While we generally supported the SBO design, we expressed concern over the use of the Specialty Drug Tier and its use as a broad catch-all class insurers use to increase patient costs. We urged HHS to make all medications not subject to a deductible in all metal levels and tier levels, as we strongly believe that prescription medications should not be subject to a plans deductible. We also support the proposal that patient cost-sharing for most tiers and metal levels utilize reasonable cost-sharing, and oppose the use of coinsurance for the Specialty Drug Tier. We also repeated previous recommendations, and made some new ones that would better protect enrollees access to needed prescription drugs, in addition to recommendations that would better ensure critical continuity of care. In addition, RetireSafe joined with 197 patient and community organizations to comment on the Office for Civil Rights, ACA Non-discrimination Proposed Rule (RIN 0945-AA02). We were especially interested in one key ACA provision, Section 1557, which prohibits discrimination in the health care system on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. While we were pleased to see the long awaited proposed regulation to implement Sec. 1557 finally issued, we did not think the proposal went far enough in defining discriminatory practices in plan benefit design as it relates to all beneficiaries, particularly those with serious and chronic health conditions who rely on prescription medications and other health care services. We urged HHS to better define what discriminatory plan practices are in the final rule. RetireSafe also joined with a number of patient groups to again highlight in comments to HHS the importance of Nondiscrimination in Health-Related Insurance; the importance of the Designation of Responsible Employees and the Adoption of Grievance Procedures; and finally, that Notice Requirements require that covered entities consider the needs of all beneficiaries, so that they may be fully aware of their rights under the law. RetireSafe joined with 124 patient organizations in the I Am Essential coalition to voice strong support for the Obama Administrations proposed patient protections that health insurance companies must include as they develop their 2017 Qualified Health Plans (QHPs), and continued to call on the Administration to actually enforce those critical patient protections. While we are encouraged by repeated statements that plans cannot discriminate against patients by, for example, placing every drug to treat a certain condition on the highest cost-sharing tier, we have seen little evidence of actual enforcement. We supported the U.S. Senate version of the Medical Debt Relief Act (S. 2592). RetireSafe continues to join with other patient groups to urge the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to require distinct, unique naming for any and all biosimilar drugs approved for use in the United States. We support the FDAs leadership in creating a system of distinguishable names for all biologic medicines, including biosimilars. This system recognizes the fact that biosimilars are not exact copies of their reference products, enhances patient safety and promotes pharmacovigilance.
2016 · second_quarter · Government Issues
Medical debt and credit scores. Medical Debt Relief Act - H.R. 2362, S 2592. Credit Repair Organizations Act - H.R. 347. Alternative scores for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac - Credit Score Competition Act H.R. 4211. CFPB's Consumer complaint database - H.R. 5413, H.R. 5491. Data Security and Breach Notification - H.R.699, H.R. 4715, S 2659. Data Broker Accuracy of Collected Personal Information - H.R. 4516, H.R. 4517. Data Encryption. Military Lending Act and Department of Defense- Employment, Income and Status. Improper Payments Coordination Act of 2015 - Do Not Pay Initiative - S 1073. Fraud Reduction and Data Analytics Act - S. 1233. CFPB - "Credit Invisibles" and the "unscoreable" - Consumers with a lack of credit history. CFPB - Use of arbitration agreements involving consumer financial products and services. CFPB - Short-term, small dollar lending. FIX Credit Reporting Errors Act - S. 1234. Stop Errors in Credit Use Reporting Act - S.1847. Alternative Credit Data - Telecom, utilities reporting consumer payment information to national credit bureaus. H.R. 3035. Credit Access and Inclusion. Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act - H.R. 3700. Equal Employment for All Act - Use of consumer credit for employment decisions. FCC Lifeline Program - H.R. 4884. Access to Credit Scores - H.R. 5010, H.R. 5058. Protecting Veterans Credit - H.R. 5593.
Client expense: $280,000 · Firm income: Not reported
2016 · first_quarter · Health Issues
Support H.R. 2362, the Medical Debt Relief Act. Commented to Support new United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) efforts to ensure patient safety through the release of draft guidance entitled Mixing, Diluting, or Repackaging Biological Products Outside the Scope of an Approved Biologic License Application. Joined with the I Am (Still) Essential Coalition to urge the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to ensure that the many patient protections included in the Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2016 and the Letter to Insurers are adhered to and strictly enforced as part of the 2016 upcoming Qualified Health Plan (QHP) review. Support the passage of H.R. 6, the 21st Century Cures Act. Joined with the Health IT Now Coalition in supporting the interoperability sections of H.R. 6, the 21st Century Cures Act. RetireSafe also specifically supported provisions in H.R. 6 designed to speed up the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) process through an established timeline so that much-needed new vaccines can be approved for coverage and use. Joined with numerous patient advocate organizations to urge Congress to maintain a strong and secure patent system that recognizes the rights of legitimate patent owners and addresses the new forms of abuses that have emerged in both the courts and at the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (PTO), especially in consideration of the critical nature of strong patent protection in the development of new therapies and treatments that could benefit millions of patients suffering with substantial unmet medical needs. RetireSafe supported maintaining 12 years of data exclusivity for biologic drugs under the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TTP) trade agreement as a key U.S. priority. With National Health Council, urged CMS to include accurate drug-specific out-of-pocket (OOP) costs in the proposed OOP cost estimator under development for the federally-facilitated marketplaces for the 2016 enrollment period. RetireSafe encouraged Members of Congress to hold a formal hearing to review FDA policy and guidance regarding the safe usage of biosimilar drugs. And, with other patient groups, advocated Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) and other rigorous safeguards to ensure the safe use of biosimilar drugs, especially for any federally mandated use. RetireSafe joined with 124 patient and community organizations to provide extensive comments on the Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2017 Proposed Rule, CMS 9937-P. Those comments included support for the proposed Standard Benefit Option (SBO) that will better enable consumers to compare plans and make informed choices. While we generally supported the SBO design, we expressed concern over the use of the Specialty Drug Tier and its use as a broad catch-all class insurers use to increase patient costs. We urged HHS to make all medications not subject to a deductible in all metal levels and tier levels, as we strongly believe that prescription medications should not be subject to a plans deductible. We also support the proposal that patient cost-sharing for most tiers and metal levels utilize reasonable cost-sharing, and oppose the use of coinsurance for the Specialty Drug Tier. We also repeated previous recommendations, and some new ones that would better protect enrollees access to needed prescription drugs, in addition to recommendations that would better ensure critical continuity of care. In addition, RetireSafe joined with 197 patient and community organizations to comment on the Office for Civil Rights, ACA Non-discrimination Proposed Rule (RIN 0945-AA02). We were especially interested in one key ACA provision, Section 1557, which prohibits discrimination in the health care system on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. While we were pleased to see the long awaited proposed regulation to implement Sec. 1557 finally issued, we did not think the proposal went far enough in defining discriminatory practices in plan benefit design as it relates to all beneficiaries, particularly those with serious and chronic health conditions who rely on prescription medications and other health care services. We urged HHS to better define what discriminatory plan practices are in the final rule. RetireSafe also joined with a number of patient groups to again highlight in comments to HHS the importance of Nondiscrimination in Health-Related Insurance; the importance of the Designation of Responsible Employees and the Adoption of Grievance Procedures; and finally, that Notice Requirements require that covered entities consider the needs of all beneficiaries, so that they may be fully aware of their rights under the law. RetireSafe joined with 124 patient organizations in the I Am Essential coalition to voice strong support for the Obama Administrations proposed patient protections that health insurance companies must include as they develop their 2017 Qualified Health Plans (QHPs), and continued to call on the Administration to actually enforce those critical patient protections. While we are encouraged by repeated statements that plans cannot discriminate against patients by, for example, placing every drug to treat a certain condition on the highest cost-sharing tier, we have seen little evidence of actual enforcement. We supported the U.S. Senate version of the Medical Debt Relief Act (S. 2592).
2016 · first_quarter · Government Issues
Medical debt and credit scores. Medical Debt Relief Act - H.R. 2362, S 2592. Credit Repair Organizations Act - H.R. 347. Cybersecurity / Data security. Information sharing between public and private sectors - H.R. 4350. Alternative scores for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac - Credit Score Competition Act H.R. 4211. CFPB's Consumer complaint database. Data Security and Breach Notification - H.R.699, H.R. 4715, H.R. 4516. Data Broker Accuracy of Collected Personal Information - H.R. 4516, H.R. 4517. Data Encryption. Military Lending Act and Department of Defense- Employment, Income and Status. Child Support Assistance Act - Child Support Enforcement Guidance - H.R. 22. Improper Payments Coordination Act of 2015 - Do Not Pay Initiative. Fraud Reduction and Data Analytics Act - S. 1233, H.R. 4180. CFPB - "Credit Invisibles" and the "unscoreable" - Consumers with a lack of credit history. CFPB - Use of arbitration agreements involving consumer financial products and services. CFPB - Short-term, small dollar lending. FIX Credit Reporting Errors Act - S. 1234. Stop Errors in Credit Use Reporting Act - S.1847. Alternative Credit Data - Telecom, utilities reporting consumer payment information to national credit bureaus. H.R. 3035. Credit Access and Inclusion. Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act - H.R. 3700. Equal Employment for All Act - Use of consumer credit for employment decisions. Judicial Redress Act - EU Safe Harbor - H.R. 1428. FCC Lifeline Program - H.R. 4884.
Client expense: $290,000 · Firm income: Not reported
2016 · first_quarter · Consumer Issues/Safety/Products
Oppose any efforts to dismantle, weaken, or change the structure or the funding stream of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Support the CFPB's study on forced arbitration clauses. Support S. 1133 / H.R.2087 Support HR 2362 Oppose HR 712 Oppose HR 1927 Support a robust proposed survey of financing for auto buyers Oppose granting certiorari in the case of Midland Funding LLC v. Madden
Client expense: $68,750 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms & Explosives, Bureau of Prisons (BOP), Bureau of the Census, Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Council of Economic Advisers (CEA), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, Election Assistance Commission (EAC), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Interior, Dept of (DOI), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Credit Union Administration (NCUA), Natl Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST), Natl Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA), Office of Faith-Based & Community Initiatives, Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), SENATE, State, Dept of (DOS), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA), White House Office
2016 · first_quarter · Financial Institutions/Investments/Securities
Oppose any efforts to dismantle, weaken, or change the structure or the funding stream of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Support a rule from the CFPB regarding payday lending which require the lender to determine the borrowers ability to repay the loan, including consideration of income and expenses; does not sanction any series of repeat loans or provide a safe harbor for poorly underwritten loans; establishes an outer limit on length of indebtedness that is at least as short as the FDICs 2005 guidelines - 90 days in a twelve-month period; and restricts lenders from requiring a post-dated check or electronic access to a borrowers checking account as a condition of extending credit. Support the Department of Labor's proposed "Conflicted Advice Rule" (also known as the "Fiduciary Responsibility" rule) regarding retirement savings. Support the CFPB's study on forced arbitration clauses; oppose efforts to disable the CFPB to act on its findings. Oppose H.R. 685 Oppose H.R. 1529 Oppose H.R. 650 Oppose H.R. 1408 Oppose H.R. 1265 Oppose H.R. 1259 Oppose H.R. 1195 Oppose H.R. 601 Support S. 838 / H.R. 1565 oppose H.R. 50 Oppose HR 37 Support continued implementation of Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act of 2010; oppose efforts to eliminate or weaken provisions of the law Support S. 1133 / H.R.2087 Support HR 2362 Oppose S 1484 Oppose HR 1737 Support a strong short term lending reform package by the CFPB that does not undermine state or local laws which may be stronger (offer more protection) Urge FHA to improve its current proposal to change the certification requirements that lenders must make in order to secure Federal Housing Administration insurance on a mortgage loan and adopt an enhanced certification requirement that requires lenders to certify that they meet all three of the following: Exercise of due diligence and good faith in underwriting the mortgage and submitting the application for insurance, which is proposed; Establish, operate and monitor a Quality Control program that complies with all FHA requirements; and For any defects that occur notwithstanding compliance with the first two lender duties, timely remediate or indemnify FHA for any defects that affect the insurability of the loan. Oppose HR 1210 Oppose HR 3192 Oppose HR 1737 Oppose HR 776 Oppose HR 1317 Oppose HR 1941 Oppose HR 3189 Support HR 3524 / S 1981 Oppose HR 1266 Oppose H.R. 4018 Support principle reduction of mortgages Oppose H.R. 766. Support Operation Choke Point. Support a strong implementation of the Holder Rule, which says that when a seller of a good or service originates or helps arrange credit, the consumer is allowed to raise the sellers misconduct as a basis for bringing claims or defenses against the entity holding the debt. Oppose any financial riders on FY17 spending bills. Support a robust proposed survey of financing for auto buyers. Support CFPB moving forward on a rulemaking to address the widespread harm resulting from forced arbitration. Support Senators signing onto a letter to the CFPB in support of their auto lending efforts.Support extending the upcoming rule curbing short-term pay day and car title loans to long term payday and car title loans. Oppose granting certiorari in the case of Midland Funding LLC v. Madden
2016 · first_quarter · Banking
Oppose any efforts to dismantle, weaken, or change the structure or the funding stream of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Support a rule from the CFPB regarding payday lending which require the lender to determine the borrowers ability to repay the loan, including consideration of income and expenses; does not sanction any series of repeat loans or provide a safe harbor for poorly underwritten loans; establishes an outer limit on length of indebtedness that is at least as short as the FDICs 2005 guidelines - 90 days in a twelve-month period; and restricts lenders from requiring a post-dated check or electronic access to a borrowers checking account as a condition of extending credit. Support the Department of Labor's "Fiduciary Responsibility" rule. Support the CFPB's study on forced arbitration clauses; oppose efforts to disable the CFPB to act on its findings. Oppose H.R. 685. Oppose H.R. 1529 Oppose H.R. 650 Oppose H.R. 1408 Oppose H.R. 1265 Oppose H.R. 1259 Oppose H.R. 1195 Oppose H.R. 601 Support S. 838 / H.R. 1565 Oppose H.R. 50 Oppose HR 37 Support continued implementation of Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act of 2010; oppose efforts to eliminate or weaken provisions of the law. Support S. 1133 / H.R.2087 Support HR 2362 Support a strong short term lending reform package by the CFPB that does not undermine state or local laws which may be stronger (offer more protection) Oppose HR 1210 Oppose HR 3192 Oppose HR 1737 Oppose HR 776 Oppose HR 1317 Oppose HR 1941 Oppose HR 3189 Support HR 3524 / S 1981 Support the Federal Insurance Office‟s effort to assess the affordability and accessibility of auto insurance in low-wealth communities, communities of color and underserved communities and the proposed definition of affordability and Affected Persons. Oppose HR 1266 Oppose S. 2038 Oppose H.R. 4018 Support principle reduction of mortgages by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Oppose H.R. 766. Support Operation Choke Point. Support full funding in FY 2017 for the 2020 Census and for the ACS Oppose any financial riders on FY17 spending bills Support a robust proposed survey of financing for auto buyers. Support CFPB moving forward on a rulemaking to address the widespread harm resulting from forced arbitration. Support Senators signing onto a letter to the CFPB in support of their auto lending efforts. Support extending the upcoming rule curbing short-term pay day and car title loans to long term payday and car title loans. Oppose granting certiorari in the case of Midland Funding LLC v. Madden
2016 · first_quarter · Health Issues
Support H.R. 2362, the Medical Debt Relief Act. Commented to Support new United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) efforts to ensure patient safety through the release of draft guidance entitled Mixing, Diluting, or Repackaging Biological Products Outside the Scope of an Approved Biologic License Application. Joined with the I Am (Still) Essential Coalition to urge the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to ensure that the many patient protections included in the Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2016 and the Letter to Insurers are adhered to and strictly enforced as part of the 2016 upcoming Qualified Health Plan (QHP) review. Support the passage of H.R. 6, the 21st Century Cures Act. Joined with the Health IT Now Coalition in supporting the interoperability sections of H.R. 6, the 21st Century Cures Act. RetireSafe also specifically supported provisions in H.R. 6 designed to speed up the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) process through an established timeline so that much-needed new vaccines can be approved for coverage and use. Joined with numerous patient advocate organizations to urge Congress to maintain a strong and secure patent system that recognizes the rights of legitimate patent owners and addresses the new forms of abuses that have emerged in both the courts and at the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (PTO), especially in consideration of the critical nature of strong patent protection in the development of new therapies and treatments that could benefit millions of patients suffering with substantial unmet medical needs. RetireSafe supported maintaining 12 years of data exclusivity for biologic drugs under the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TTP) trade agreement as a key U.S. priority. With National Health Council, urged CMS to include accurate drug-specific out-of-pocket (OOP) costs in the proposed OOP cost estimator under development for the federally-facilitated marketplaces for the 2016 enrollment period. RetireSafe encouraged Members of Congress to hold a formal hearing to review FDA policy and guidance regarding the safe usage of biosimilar drugs. And, with other patient groups, advocated Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) and other rigorous safeguards to ensure the safe use of biosimilar drugs, especially for any federally mandated use. RetireSafe joined with 124 patient and community organizations to provide extensive comments on the Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2017 Proposed Rule, CMS 9937-P. Those comments included support for the proposed Standard Benefit Option (SBO) that will better enable consumers to compare plans and make informed choices. While we generally supported the SBO design, we expressed concern over the use of the Specialty Drug Tier and its use as a broad catch-all class insurers use to increase patient costs. We urged HHS to make all medications not subject to a deductible in all metal levels and tier levels, as we strongly believe that prescription medications should not be subject to a plans deductible. We also support the proposal that patient cost-sharing for most tiers and metal levels utilize reasonable cost-sharing, and oppose the use of coinsurance for the Specialty Drug Tier. We also repeated previous recommendations, and made some new ones that would better protect enrollees access to needed prescription drugs, in addition to recommendations that would better ensure critical continuity of care. In addition, RetireSafe joined with 197 patient and community organizations to comment on the Office for Civil Rights, ACA Non-discrimination Proposed Rule (RIN 0945-AA02). We were especially interested in one key ACA provision, Section 1557, which prohibits discrimination in the health care system on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. While we were pleased to see the long awaited proposed regulation to implement Sec. 1557 finally issued, we did not think the proposal went far enough in defining discriminatory practices in plan benefit design as it relates to all beneficiaries, particularly those with serious and chronic health conditions who rely on prescription medications and other health care services. We urged HHS to better define what discriminatory plan practices are in the final rule. RetireSafe also joined with a number of patient groups to again highlight in comments to HHS the importance of Nondiscrimination in Health-Related Insurance; the importance of the Designation of Responsible Employees and the Adoption of Grievance Procedures; and finally, that Notice Requirements require that covered entities consider the needs of all beneficiaries, so that they may be fully aware of their rights under the law. RetireSafe joined with 124 patient organizations in the I Am Essential coalition to voice strong support for the Obama Administrations proposed patient protections that health insurance companies must include as they develop their 2017 Qualified Health Plans (QHPs), and continued to call on the Administration to actually enforce those critical patient protections. While we are encouraged by repeated statements that plans cannot discriminate against patients by, for example, placing every drug to treat a certain condition on the highest cost-sharing tier, we have seen little evidence of actual enforcement. We supported the U.S. Senate version of the Medical Debt Relief Act (S. 2592).
2015 · fourth_quarter · Health Issues
Support H.R. 2362, the Medical Debt Relief Act. Commented to Support new United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) efforts to ensure patient safety through the release of draft guidance entitled Mixing, Diluting, or Repackaging Biological Products Outside the Scope of an Approved Biologic License Application. Joined with the I Am (Still) Essential Coalition to urge the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to ensure that the many patient protections included in the Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2016 and the Letter to Insurers are adhered to and strictly enforced as part of the 2016 upcoming Qualified Health Plan (QHP) review. Support the passage of H.R. 6, the 21st Century Cures Act. Joined with the Health IT Now Coalition in supporting the interoperability sections of H.R. 6, the 21st Century Cures Act. RetireSafe also specifically supported provisions in H.R. 6 designed to speed up the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) process through an established timeline so that much-needed new vaccines can be approved for coverage and use. Joined with numerous patient advocate organizations to urge Congress to maintain a strong and secure patent system that recognizes the rights of legitimate patent owners and addresses the new forms of abuses that have emerged in both the courts and at the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (PTO), especially in consideration of the critical nature of strong patent protection in the development of new therapies and treatments that could benefit millions of patients suffering with substantial unmet medical needs. RetireSafe supported maintaining 12 years of data exclusivity for biologic drugs under the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TTP) trade agreement as a key U.S. priority. With National Health Council, urged CMS to include accurate drug-specific out-of-pocket (OOP) costs in the proposed OOP cost estimator under development for the federally-facilitated marketplaces for the 2016 enrollment period. RetireSafe encouraged Members of Congress to hold a formal hearing to review FDA policy and guidance regarding the safe usage of biosimilar drugs. And, with other patient groups, advocated Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) and other rigorous safeguards to ensure the safe use of biosimilar drugs, especially for any federally mandated use. RetireSafe joined with 124 patient and community organizations to provide extensive comments on the Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2017 Proposed Rule, CMS 9937-P. Those comments included support for the proposed Standard Benefit Option (SBO) that will better enable consumers to compare plans and make informed choices. While we generally supported the SBO design, we expressed concern over the use of the Specialty Drug Tier and its use as a broad catch-all class insurers use to increase patient costs. We urged HHS to make all medications not subject to a deductible in all metal levels and tier levels, as we strongly believe that prescription medications should not be subject to a plans deductible. We also support the proposal that patient cost-sharing for most tiers and metal levels utilize reasonable cost-sharing, and oppose the use of coinsurance for the Specialty Drug Tier. We also repeated previous recommendations, and some new ones that would better protect enrollees access to needed prescription drugs, in addition to recommendations that would better ensure critical continuity of care. In addition, RetireSafe joined with 197 patient and community organizations to comment on the Office for Civil Rights, ACA Non-discrimination Proposed Rule (RIN 0945-AA02). We were especially interested in one key ACA provision, Section 1557, which prohibits discrimination in the health care system on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. While we were pleased to see the long awaited proposed regulation to implement Sec. 1557 finally issued, we did not think the proposal went far enough in defining discriminatory practices in plan benefit design as it relates to all beneficiaries, particularly those with serious and chronic health conditions who rely on prescription medications and other health care services. We urged HHS to better define what discriminatory plan practices are in the final rule. RetireSafe also joined with a number of patient groups to again highlight in comments to HHS the importance of Nondiscrimination in Health-Related Insurance; the importance of the Designation of Responsible Employees and the Adoption of Grievance Procedures; and finally, that Notice Requirements require that covered entities consider the needs of all beneficiaries, so that they may be fully aware of their rights under the law.
2015 · third_quarter · Health Issues
Support H.R. 2362, the Medical Debt Relief Act. Commented to Support new United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) efforts to ensure patient safety through the release of draft guidance entitled Mixing, Diluting, or Repackaging Biological Products Outside the Scope of an Approved Biologic License Application. Joined with the I Am (Still) Essential Coalition to urge the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to ensure that the many patient protections included in the Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2016 and the Letter to Insurers are adhered to and strictly enforced as part of the 2016 upcoming Qualified Health Plan (QHP) review. Support the passage of H.R. 6, the 21st Century Cures Act. Joined with the Health IT Now Coalition in supporting the interoperability sections of H.R. 6, the 21st Century Cures Act. RetireSafe also specifically supported provisions in H.R. 6 designed to speed up the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) process through an established timeline so that much-needed new vaccines can be approved for coverage and use. Joined with numerous patient advocate organizations to urge Congress to maintain a strong and secure patent system that recognizes the rights of legitimate patent owners and addresses the new forms of abuses that have emerged in both the courts and at the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (PTO), especially in consideration of the critical nature of strong patent protection in the development of new therapies and treatments that could benefit millions of patients suffering with substantial unmet medical needs. RetireSafe supported maintaining 12 years of data exclusivity for biologic drugs under the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TTP) trade agreement as a key U.S. priority. With National Health Council, urged CMS to include accurate drug-specific out-of-pocket (OOP) costs in the proposed OOP cost estimator under development for the federally-facilitated marketplaces for the 2016 enrollment period. RetireSafe encouraged Members of Congress to hold a formal hearing to review FDA policy and guidance regarding the safe usage of biosimilar drugs. And, with other patient groups, advocated Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) and other rigorous safeguards to ensure the safe use of biosimilar drugs, especially for any federally mandated use.
2015 · second_quarter · Health Issues
Support H.R. 2362, the Medical Debt Relief Act. Commented to Support new United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) efforts to ensure patient safety through the release of draft guidance entitled Mixing, Diluting, or Repackaging Biological Products Outside the Scope of an Approved Biologic License Application. Joined with the I Am (Still) Essential Coalition to urge the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to ensure that the many patient protections included in the Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2016 and the Letter to Insurers are adhered to and strictly enforced as part of the 2016 upcoming Qualified Health Plan (QHP) review. Support the passage of H.R. 6, the 21st Century Cures Act. Joined with the Health IT Now Coalition in supporting the interoperability sections of H.R. 6, the 21st Century Cures Act. RetireSafe also specifically supported provisions in H.R. 6 designed to speed up the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) process through an established timeline so that much-needed new vaccines can be approved for coverage and use. Joined with numerous patient advocate organizations to urge Congress to maintain a strong and secure patent system that recognizes the rights of legitimate patent owners and addresses the new forms of abuses that have emerged in both the courts and at the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (PTO), especially in consideration of the critical nature of strong patent protection in the development of new therapies and treatments that could benefit millions of patients suffering with substantial unmet medical needs. RetireSafe supported maintaining 12 years of data exclusivity for biologic drugs under the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TTP) trade agreement as a key U.S. priority. With National Health Council, urged CMS to include accurate drug-specific out-of-pocket (OOP) costs in the proposed OOP cost estimator under development for the federally-facilitated marketplaces for the 2016 enrollment period. RetireSafe encouraged Members of Congress to hold a formal hearing to review FDA policy and guidance regarding the safe usage of biosimilar drugs. And, with other patient groups, advocated Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) and other rigorous safeguards to ensure the safe use of biosimilar drugs, especially for any federally mandated use.
2015 · fourth_quarter · Health Issues
Support H.R. 2362, the Medical Debt Relief Act. Commented to Support new United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) efforts to ensure patient safety through the release of draft guidance entitled Mixing, Diluting, or Repackaging Biological Products Outside the Scope of an Approved Biologic License Application. Joined with the I Am (Still) Essential Coalition to urge the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to ensure that the many patient protections included in the Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2016 and the Letter to Insurers are adhered to and strictly enforced as part of the 2016 upcoming Qualified Health Plan (QHP) review. Support the passage of H.R. 6, the 21st Century Cures Act. Joined with the Health IT Now Coalition in supporting the interoperability sections of H.R. 6, the 21st Century Cures Act. RetireSafe also specifically supported provisions in H.R. 6 designed to speed up the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) process through an established timeline so that much-needed new vaccines can be approved for coverage and use. Joined with numerous patient advocate organizations to urge Congress to maintain a strong and secure patent system that recognizes the rights of legitimate patent owners and addresses the new forms of abuses that have emerged in both the courts and at the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (PTO), especially in consideration of the critical nature of strong patent protection in the development of new therapies and treatments that could benefit millions of patients suffering with substantial unmet medical needs. RetireSafe supported maintaining 12 years of data exclusivity for biologic drugs under the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TTP) trade agreement as a key U.S. priority. With National Health Council, urged CMS to include accurate drug-specific out-of-pocket (OOP) costs in the proposed OOP cost estimator under development for the federally-facilitated marketplaces for the 2016 enrollment period. RetireSafe encouraged Members of Congress to hold a formal hearing to review FDA policy and guidance regarding the safe usage of biosimilar drugs. And, with other patient groups, advocated Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) and other rigorous safeguards to ensure the safe use of biosimilar drugs, especially for any federally mandated use. RetireSafe joined with 124 patient and community organizations to provide extensive comments on the Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2017 Proposed Rule, CMS 9937-P. Those comments included support for the proposed Standard Benefit Option (SBO) that will better enable consumers to compare plans and make informed choices. While we generally supported the SBO design, we expressed concern over the use of the Specialty Drug Tier and its use as a broad catch-all class insurers use to increase patient costs. We urged HHS to make all medications not subject to a deductible in all metal levels and tier levels, as we strongly believe that prescription medications should not be subject to a plans deductible. We also support the proposal that patient cost-sharing for most tiers and metal levels utilize reasonable cost-sharing, and oppose the use of coinsurance for the Specialty Drug Tier. We also repeated previous recommendations, and some new ones that would better protect enrollees access to needed prescription drugs, in addition to recommendations that would better ensure critical continuity of care. In addition, RetireSafe joined with 197 patient and community organizations to comment on the Office for Civil Rights, ACA Non-discrimination Proposed Rule (RIN 0945-AA02). We were especially interested in one key ACA provision, Section 1557, which prohibits discrimination in the health care system on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. While we were pleased to see the long awaited proposed regulation to implement Sec. 1557 finally issued, we did not think the proposal went far enough in defining discriminatory practices in plan benefit design as it relates to all beneficiaries, particularly those with serious and chronic health conditions who rely on prescription medications and other health care services. We urged HHS to better define what discriminatory plan practices are in the final rule. RetireSafe also joined with a number of patient groups to again highlight in comments to HHS the importance of Nondiscrimination in Health-Related Insurance; the importance of the Designation of Responsible Employees and the Adoption of Grievance Procedures; and finally, that Notice Requirements require that covered entities consider the needs of all beneficiaries, so that they may be fully aware of their rights under the law.
2015 · fourth_quarter · Government Issues
Medical debt and credit scores. Medical Debt Relief Act - H.R. 2362. Credit Repair Organizations Act - H.R. 347. Cybersecurity / Data security. Information sharing between public and private sectors - S 754, US 80 FR 59581. Alternative scores for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac - Credit Score Competition Act H.R.4211. CFPB's Consumer complaint database proposed regulation US 80 FR 26233. Data Security and Breach Notification - H.R.2977, S.1828, H.R. 2205, H.R. 3869. Military Personnel - Lending and Credit - H.R. 1735, H.R. 2979, S.1565. Military Lending Act - Employment, Income, Status - H.R. 2977, S.1828. Consumer Privacy Bill of Rights Act - White House Draft. Child Support Assistance Act of 2015 - Child Support Enforcement - H.R. 2091. Improper Payments Coordination Act of 2015 - Do Not Pay Initiative - S.614, H.R.2320. CFPB - "Credit Invisibles" and the "unscoreable" - Consumers with a lack of credit history. CFPB - Use of arbitration agreements involving consumer financial products and services. FIX Credit Reporting Errors Act - S. 1234. Stop Errors in Credit Use Reporting Act - S.1847. Alternative Credit Data - Telecom, utilities reporting consumer payment information to national credit bureaus. H.R. 3035. Child Support Assistance Act - Use of consumer reports in child support enforcement. H.R. 2091, S 2077. Student Loan Servicing, Credit Access and Inclusion Act - H.R.3035. Consumer Reporting Fairness Act - S. 1773. Equal Employment for All Act - Use of consumer credit for employment decisions - H.R.3524, H.R. 3303, S 1981. Re-verification of Consumer's supplemental security income verification - H.R. 1314. Judicial Redress Act - EU Safe Harbor - H.R. 1428.
Client expense: $270,000 · Firm income: Not reported
2015 · fourth_quarter · Banking
Support HUD reducing FHA mortgage premiums. Oppose any efforts to dismantle, weaken, or change the structure or the funding stream of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Support a rule from the CFPB regarding payday lending which require the lender to determine the borrowers ability to repay the loan, including consideration of income and expenses; does not sanction any series of repeat loans or provide a safe harbor for poorly underwritten loans; establishes an outer limit on length of indebtedness that is at least as short as the FDICs 2005 guidelines - 90 days in a twelve-month period; and restricts lenders from requiring a post-dated check or electronic access to a borrowers checking account as a condition of extending credit. Support the Department of Labor's proposed "Conflicted Advice Rule" regarding retirement savings. Support the CFPB's study on forced arbitration clauses; oppose efforts to disable the CFPB to act on its findings Regarding the CFPBs proposed amendments to its mortgage servicing regulations: The final rule should create a deterrent to unreasonable conduct by servicers in confirming successor status by creating a privately enforceable right triggered by the homeowners submission of documentation, not the servicers additional step of confirming the persons status; the final rule should clearly state that a borrower who has obtained a permanent loan modification is eligible to apply again for loss mitigation, as the delinquency has been cured; dual tracking protections should kick in when a homeowner has submitted an initial loss mitigation application package, not when a servicer deems the package complete;The final rule should include specific requirements that the transferor servicer has an obligation to provide all documents and information that have been provided by a borrower on a loss mitigation application to the transferee servicer, including any records of the transferors discussions with borrowers about loss mitigation and any copies of loss mitigation relevant documents. The rule also should require the transferor servicer to provide a detailed list of loans with pending loss mitigation applications and should require the transferee to review the material (not just obtain it); and the CFPB should expand the force-placed insurance provisions in the mortgage servicing rule to ensure that homeowners without escrow accounts are protected from force-placed insurance abuses. Support Crapo-Warner Amendment to the Budget Resolution to ensure that Congress cannot raise Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guarantee fees to offset the costs associated with unrelated initiatives. Support the Consumer Financial Protection Bureaus proposed rule on prepaid cards. Oppose H.R. 685. Oppose H.R. 1529 Oppose H.R. 650 Oppose H.R. 1408 Oppose H.R. 1265 Oppose H.R. 1259 Oppose H.R. 1195 Oppose H.R. 601 Support the Consumer Financial Protection Bureaus Safe Student Account Scorecard initiative. Support S. 838 / H.R. 1565 Oppose H.R. 50 Oppose HR 37 Support continued implementation of Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act of 2010; oppose efforts to eliminate or weaken provisions of the law. Oppose HR 1195 as it was presented to the full House of Representatives (oppose capping and cutting its funding). Support the CFPBs initial steps towards releasing a proposed rule on short-term lending and urge the CFPB to issue the strongest possible rules to end the damaging effects of predatory lending. Support S. 1133 / H.R.2087 Support HR 2362 Oppose S 1484 Oppose portions of Financial Services and Government Funding Bill for fiscal year 2016 which limit funding for the CFPB and underfund the SEC. Support requiring Sallie Mae to be more compliant with CRA requirements Support the Department of Education's Proposed Amendments to the Cash Management Rule, 34 C.F.R. Part 668Docket ID ED-2015-OPE-0020 Support the Student Non-Discrimination Act as an amendment to S. 1177 Support requiring the FHA to improve its current proposal and adopt an enhanced certification requirement that requires lenders to certify that they meet all three of the following: Exercise of due diligence and good faith in underwriting the mortgage and submitting the application for insurance, which is proposed; Establish, operate and monitor a Quality Control program that complies with all FHA requirements; and For any defects that occur notwithstanding compliance with the first two lender duties, timely remediate or indemnify FHA for any defects that affect the insurability of the loan. Support a strong short term lending reform package by the CFPB that does not undermine state or local laws which may be stronger (offer more protection) Support Dodd-Frank Support CFPB Oppose HR 1210 Oppose HR 3192 Oppose HR 1737 Oppose HR 776 Oppose HR 1317 Oppose HR 1941 Oppose HR 3189 Support HR 3524 / S 1981 Oppose HUDs recent decision to remove homeowner-protective language from FHAs form single family note and mortgage Oppose Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Assessment Tool, Docket No. FR-5173-N-05 Support ban on all overdraft features and to apply credit card rules to any credit line designed to be accessible through a prepaid card. support the Federal Insurance Office‟s effort to assess the affordability and accessibility of auto insurance in low-wealth communities, communities of color and underserved communities and the proposed definition of affordability and Affected Persons. Oppose HR 1266 Support Duties to Serve in the secondary mortgage market, as well as the primary market. Oppose any riders in appropriations bills which would limit or forestall CFPB action on arbitration. Support FHA continuing to have and deploy its full legal authority over all approved lenders to enforce its standards and responsibilities under the FHA insurance programs. Allow the GSEs to build capital reserves so there will not be a draw against the Treasury line of credit and that he oppose the proposed riders on financial services appropriations bills relating to housing finance. Oppose S. 2038 and reject any effort to include it as a policy rider in the omnibus FY 2016 appropriations agreement. Oppose any policy riders to an omnibus appropriations bill which would in any way weaken or change the structure of the CFPB Oppose H.R. 4018 Support stronger attention to Fannie Mae and Freddie Macs performance on their Single-Family Housing Goals Support principle reduction of mortgages
2015 · fourth_quarter · Consumer Issues/Safety/Products
Support the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's Proposed Language Access Plan. Oppose any efforts to dismantle, weaken, or change the structure or the funding stream of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Support the CFPB's study on forced arbitration clauses. Support the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau adding complaint details (narratives) to its public database. Support S. 1133 / H.R.2087 Support HR 2362
Client expense: $68,750 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms & Explosives, Bureau of Prisons (BOP), Bureau of the Census, Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Council of Economic Advisers (CEA), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, Election Assistance Commission (EAC), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Interior, Dept of (DOI), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Credit Union Administration (NCUA), Natl Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST), Natl Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA), Office of Faith-Based & Community Initiatives, Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, State, Dept of (DOS), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA), White House Office
2015 · fourth_quarter · Financial Institutions/Investments/Securities
Support HUD reducing FHA mortgage premiums. Oppose any efforts to dismantle, weaken, or change the structure or the funding stream of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Support a rule from the CFPB regarding payday lending which require the lender to determine the borrowers ability to repay the loan, including consideration of income and expenses; does not sanction any series of repeat loans or provide a safe harbor for poorly underwritten loans; establishes an outer limit on length of indebtedness that is at least as short as the FDICs 2005 guidelines - 90 days in a twelve-month period; and restricts lenders from requiring a post-dated check or electronic access to a borrowers checking account as a condition of extending credit. Support the Department of Labor's proposed "Conflicted Advice Rule" regarding retirement savings. Support the CFPB's study on forced arbitration clauses; oppose efforts to disable the CFPB to act on its findings. Support Whitehouse Amendment to S. 178. Oppose Toomey Amendment to S. 178. Regarding the CFPBs proposed amendments to its mortgage servicing regulations: The final rule should create a deterrent to unreasonable conduct by servicers in confirming successor status by creating a privately enforceable right triggered by the homeowners submission of documentation, not the servicers additional step of confirming the persons status; the final rule should clearly state that a borrower who has obtained a permanent loan modification is eligible to apply again for loss mitigation, as the delinquency has been cured; dual tracking protections should kick in when a homeowner has submitted an initial loss mitigation application package, not when a servicer deems the package complete;The final rule should include specific requirements that the transferor servicer has an obligation to provide all documents and information that have been provided by a borrower on a loss mitigation application to the transferee servicer, including any records of the transferors discussions with borrowers about loss mitigation and any copies of loss mitigation relevant documents. The rule also should require the transferor servicer to provide a detailed list of loans with pending loss mitigation applications and should require the transferee to review the material (not just obtain it); and the CFPB should expand the force-placed insurance provisions in the mortgage servicing rule to ensure that homeowners without escrow accounts are protected from force-placed insurance abuses. Support Crapo-Warner Amendment to the Budget Resolution to ensure that Congress cannot raise Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guarantee fees to offset the costs associated with unrelated initiatives. Support the Consumer Financial Protection Bureaus proposed rule on prepaid cards. Oppose H.R. 685 Oppose H.R. 1529 Oppose H.R. 650 Oppose H.R. 1408 Oppose H.R. 1265 Oppose H.R. 1259 Oppose H.R. 1195 Oppose H.R. 601 Support the Consumer Financial Protection Bureaus Safe Student Account Scorecard initiative Support S. 838 / H.R. 1565 oppose H.R. 50 Oppose HR 37 Support continued implementation of Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act of 2010; oppose efforts to eliminate or weaken provisions of the law Oppose HR 1195 as it was presented to the full House of Representatives (oppose capping and cutting its funding) Support S. 1133 / H.R.2087 Support HR 2362 Oppose S 1484 Oppose HR 1737 Oppose portions of Financial Services and Government Funding Bill for 2016 which limit funding for the CFPB and underfund the SEC Support requiring Sallie Mae to be more compliant with CRA requirements Support requiring the FHA to improve its current proposal and adopt an enhanced certification requirement that requires lenders to certify that they meet all three of the following: Exercise of due diligence and good faith in underwriting the mortgage and submitting the application for insurance, which is proposed; Establish, operate and monitor a Quality Control program that complies with all FHA requirements; and For any defects that occur notwithstanding compliance with the first two lender duties, timely remediate or indemnify FHA for any defects that affect the insurability of the loan. Support a strong short term lending reform package by the CFPB that does not undermine state or local laws which may be stronger (offer more protection) Urge FHA to improve its current proposal to change the certification requirements that lenders must make in order to secure Federal Housing Administration insurance on a mortgage loan and adopt an enhanced certification requirement that requires lenders to certify that they meet all three of the following: Exercise of due diligence and good faith in underwriting the mortgage and submitting the application for insurance, which is proposed; Establish, operate and monitor a Quality Control program that complies with all FHA requirements; and For any defects that occur notwithstanding compliance with the first two lender duties, timely remediate or indemnify FHA for any defects that affect the insurability of the loan. Oppose HR 1210 Oppose HR 3192 Oppose HR 1737 Oppose HR 776 Oppose HR 1317 Oppose HR 1941 Oppose HR 3189 Support HR 3524 / S 1981 Oppose HUDs recent decision to remove homeowner-protective language from FHAs form single family note and mortgage oppose Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Assessment Tool, Docket No. FR-5173-N-05 Support ban on all overdraft features and to apply credit card rules to any credit line designed to be accessible through a prepaid card. support the Federal Insurance Offices effort to assess the affordability and accessibility of auto insurance in low-wealth communities, communities of color and underserved communities and the proposed definition of affordability and Affected Persons. Oppose HR 1266 Support Duties to Serve in the secondary mortgage market, as well as the primary market. Oppose any riders in appropriations bills which would limit or forestall CFPB action on arbitration Support FHA continuing to have and deploy its full legal authority over all approved lenders to enforce its standards and responsibilities under the FHA insurance programs. Oppose riders weakening the CFPB in the Highway Transportation Bill. Allow the GSEs to build capital reserves so there will not be a draw against the Treasury line of credit and that he oppose the proposed riders on financial services appropriations bills relating to housing finance. Oppose S. 2038 and reject any effort to include it as a policy rider in the omnibus FY 2016 appropriations agreement. Oppose any policy riders to an omnibus appropriations bill which would in any way weaken or change the structure of the CFPB Oppose H.R. 4018 Support stronger attention to Fannie Mae and Freddie Macs performance on their Single-Family Housing Goals Support principle reduction of mortgages
2015 · fourth_quarter · Health Issues
Support H.R. 2362, the Medical Debt Relief Act. Commented to Support new United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) efforts to ensure patient safety through the release of draft guidance entitled Mixing, Diluting, or Repackaging Biological Products Outside the Scope of an Approved Biologic License Application. Joined with the I Am (Still) Essential Coalition to urge the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to ensure that the many patient protections included in the Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2016 and the Letter to Insurers are adhered to and strictly enforced as part of the 2016 upcoming Qualified Health Plan (QHP) review. Support the passage of H.R. 6, the 21st Century Cures Act. Joined with the Health IT Now Coalition in supporting the interoperability sections of H.R. 6, the 21st Century Cures Act. RetireSafe also specifically supported provisions in H.R. 6 designed to speed up the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) process through an established timeline so that much-needed new vaccines can be approved for coverage and use. Joined with numerous patient advocate organizations to urge Congress to maintain a strong and secure patent system that recognizes the rights of legitimate patent owners and addresses the new forms of abuses that have emerged in both the courts and at the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (PTO), especially in consideration of the critical nature of strong patent protection in the development of new therapies and treatments that could benefit millions of patients suffering with substantial unmet medical needs. RetireSafe supported maintaining 12 years of data exclusivity for biologic drugs under the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TTP) trade agreement as a key U.S. priority. With National Health Council, urged CMS to include accurate drug-specific out-of-pocket (OOP) costs in the proposed OOP cost estimator under development for the federally-facilitated marketplaces for the 2016 enrollment period. RetireSafe encouraged Members of Congress to hold a formal hearing to review FDA policy and guidance regarding the safe usage of biosimilar drugs. And, with other patient groups, advocated Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) and other rigorous safeguards to ensure the safe use of biosimilar drugs, especially for any federally mandated use. RetireSafe joined with 124 patient and community organizations to provide extensive comments on the Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2017 Proposed Rule, CMS 9937-P. Those comments included support for the proposed Standard Benefit Option (SBO) that will better enable consumers to compare plans and make informed choices. While we generally supported the SBO design, we expressed concern over the use of the Specialty Drug Tier and its use as a broad catch-all class insurers use to increase patient costs. We urged HHS to make all medications not subject to a deductible in all metal levels and tier levels, as we strongly believe that prescription medications should not be subject to a plans deductible. We also support the proposal that patient cost-sharing for most tiers and metal levels utilize reasonable cost-sharing, and oppose the use of coinsurance for the Specialty Drug Tier. We also repeated previous recommendations, and made some new ones that would better protect enrollees access to needed prescription drugs, in addition to recommendations that would better ensure critical continuity of care. In addition, RetireSafe joined with 197 patient and community organizations to comment on the Office for Civil Rights, ACA Non-discrimination Proposed Rule (RIN 0945-AA02). We were especially interested in one key ACA provision, Section 1557, which prohibits discrimination in the health care system on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. While we were pleased to see the long awaited proposed regulation to implement Sec. 1557 finally issued, we did not think the proposal went far enough in defining discriminatory practices in plan benefit design as it relates to all beneficiaries, particularly those with serious and chronic health conditions who rely on prescription medications and other health care services. We urged HHS to better define what discriminatory plan practices are in the final rule. RetireSafe also joined with a number of patient groups to again highlight in comments to HHS the importance of Nondiscrimination in Health-Related Insurance; the importance of the Designation of Responsible Employees and the Adoption of Grievance Procedures; and finally, that Notice Requirements require that covered entities consider the needs of all beneficiaries, so that they may be fully aware of their rights under the law.
2015 · third_quarter · Banking
Support HUD reducing FHA mortgage premiums. Oppose any efforts to dismantle, weaken, or change the structure or the funding stream of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Support a rule from the CFPB regarding payday lending which require the lender to determine the borrowers ability to repay the loan, including consideration of income and expenses; does not sanction any series of repeat loans or provide a safe harbor for poorly underwritten loans; establishes an outer limit on length of indebtedness that is at least as short as the FDICs 2005 guidelines - 90 days in a twelve-month period; and restricts lenders from requiring a post-dated check or electronic access to a borrowers checking account as a condition of extending credit. Support the Department of Labor's proposed "Conflicted Advice Rule" regarding retirement savings. Support the CFPB's study on forced arbitration clauses; oppose efforts to disable the CFPB to act on its findings Regarding the CFPBs proposed amendments to its mortgage servicing regulations: The final rule should create a deterrent to unreasonable conduct by servicers in confirming successor status by creating a privately enforceable right triggered by the homeowners submission of documentation, not the servicers additional step of confirming the persons status; the final rule should clearly state that a borrower who has obtained a permanent loan modification is eligible to apply again for loss mitigation, as the delinquency has been cured; dual tracking protections should kick in when a homeowner has submitted an initial loss mitigation application package, not when a servicer deems the package complete;The final rule should include specific requirements that the transferor servicer has an obligation to provide all documents and information that have been provided by a borrower on a loss mitigation application to the transferee servicer, including any records of the transferors discussions with borrowers about loss mitigation and any copies of loss mitigation relevant documents. The rule also should require the transferor servicer to provide a detailed list of loans with pending loss mitigation applications and should require the transferee to review the material (not just obtain it); and the CFPB should expand the force-placed insurance provisions in the mortgage servicing rule to ensure that homeowners without escrow accounts are protected from force-placed insurance abuses. Support Crapo-Warner Amendment to the Budget Resolution to ensure that Congress cannot raise Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guarantee fees to offset the costs associated with unrelated initiatives. Support the Consumer Financial Protection Bureaus proposed rule on prepaid cards. Oppose H.R. 685. Oppose H.R. 1529 Oppose H.R. 650 Oppose H.R. 1408 Oppose H.R. 1265 Oppose H.R. 1259 Oppose H.R. 1195 Oppose H.R. 601 Support the Consumer Financial Protection Bureaus Safe Student Account Scorecard initiative. Support S. 838 / H.R. 1565 Oppose H.R. 50 Oppose HR 37 Support continued implementation of Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act of 2010; oppose efforts to eliminate or weaken provisions of the law. Oppose HR 1195 as it was presented to the full House of Representatives (oppose capping and cutting its funding). Support the CFPBs initial steps towards releasing a proposed rule on short-term lending and urge the CFPB to issue the strongest possible rules to end the damaging effects of predatory lending. Support S. 1133 / H.R.2087 Support HR 2362 Oppose S 1484 Oppose portions of Financial Services and Government Funding Bill for fiscal year 2016 which limit funding for the CFPB and underfund the SEC. Support requiring Sallie Mae to be more compliant with CRA requirements Support the Department of Education's Proposed Amendments to the Cash Management Rule, 34 C.F.R. Part 668Docket ID ED-2015-OPE-0020 Support the Student Non-Discrimination Act as an amendment to S. 1177 Support requiring the FHA to improve its current proposal and adopt an enhanced certification requirement that requires lenders to certify that they meet all three of the following: Exercise of due diligence and good faith in underwriting the mortgage and submitting the application for insurance, which is proposed; Establish, operate and monitor a Quality Control program that complies with all FHA requirements; and For any defects that occur notwithstanding compliance with the first two lender duties, timely remediate or indemnify FHA for any defects that affect the insurability of the loan. Support a strong short term lending reform package by the CFPB that does not undermine state or local laws which may be stronger (offer more protection) Support Dodd-Frank Support CFPB Oppose HR 1210 Oppose HR 3192 Oppose HR 1737 Oppose HR 776 Oppose HR 1317 Oppose HR 1941 Oppose HR 3189 Support HR 3524 / S 1981 Oppose HUDs recent decision to remove homeowner-protective language from FHAs form single family note and mortgage Oppose Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Assessment Tool, Docket No. FR-5173-N-05 Support ban on all overdraft features and to apply credit card rules to any credit line designed to be accessible through a prepaid card. support the Federal Insurance Office‟s effort to assess the affordability and accessibility of auto insurance in low-wealth communities, communities of color and underserved communities and the proposed definition of affordability and Affected Persons. Oppose HR 1266
2015 · third_quarter · Consumer Issues/Safety/Products
Support the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's Proposed Language Access Plan. Oppose any efforts to dismantle, weaken, or change the structure or the funding stream of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Support the CFPB's study on forced arbitration clauses. Support the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau adding complaint details (narratives) to its public database. Support S. 1133 / H.R.2087 Support HR 2362
Client expense: $68,750 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms & Explosives, Bureau of Prisons (BOP), Bureau of the Census, Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Council of Economic Advisers (CEA), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, Election Assistance Commission (EAC), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Interior, Dept of (DOI), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Credit Union Administration (NCUA), Natl Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST), Natl Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA), Office of Faith-Based & Community Initiatives, Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, State, Dept of (DOS), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), Treasury, Dept of, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA), White House Office
2015 · third_quarter · Financial Institutions/Investments/Securities
Support HUD reducing FHA mortgage premiums. Oppose any efforts to dismantle, weaken, or change the structure or the funding stream of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Support a rule from the CFPB regarding payday lending which require the lender to determine the borrowers ability to repay the loan, including consideration of income and expenses; does not sanction any series of repeat loans or provide a safe harbor for poorly underwritten loans; establishes an outer limit on length of indebtedness that is at least as short as the FDICs 2005 guidelines - 90 days in a twelve-month period; and restricts lenders from requiring a post-dated check or electronic access to a borrowers checking account as a condition of extending credit. Support the Department of Labor's proposed "Conflicted Advice Rule" regarding retirement savings. Support the CFPB's study on forced arbitration clauses; oppose efforts to disable the CFPB to act on its findings. Support Whitehouse Amendment to S. 178. Oppose Toomey Amendment to S. 178. Regarding the CFPBs proposed amendments to its mortgage servicing regulations: The final rule should create a deterrent to unreasonable conduct by servicers in confirming successor status by creating a privately enforceable right triggered by the homeowners submission of documentation, not the servicers additional step of confirming the persons status; the final rule should clearly state that a borrower who has obtained a permanent loan modification is eligible to apply again for loss mitigation, as the delinquency has been cured; dual tracking protections should kick in when a homeowner has submitted an initial loss mitigation application package, not when a servicer deems the package complete;The final rule should include specific requirements that the transferor servicer has an obligation to provide all documents and information that have been provided by a borrower on a loss mitigation application to the transferee servicer, including any records of the transferors discussions with borrowers about loss mitigation and any copies of loss mitigation relevant documents. The rule also should require the transferor servicer to provide a detailed list of loans with pending loss mitigation applications and should require the transferee to review the material (not just obtain it); and the CFPB should expand the force-placed insurance provisions in the mortgage servicing rule to ensure that homeowners without escrow accounts are protected from force-placed insurance abuses. Support Crapo-Warner Amendment to the Budget Resolution to ensure that Congress cannot raise Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guarantee fees to offset the costs associated with unrelated initiatives. Support the Consumer Financial Protection Bureaus proposed rule on prepaid cards. Oppose H.R. 685 Oppose H.R. 1529 Oppose H.R. 650 Oppose H.R. 1408 Oppose H.R. 1265 Oppose H.R. 1259 Oppose H.R. 1195 Oppose H.R. 601 Support the Consumer Financial Protection Bureaus Safe Student Account Scorecard initiative Support S. 838 / H.R. 1565 oppose H.R. 50 Oppose HR 37 Support continued implementation of Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act of 2010; oppose efforts to eliminate or weaken provisions of the law Oppose HR 1195 as it was presented to the full House of Representatives (oppose capping and cutting its funding) Support S. 1133 / H.R.2087 Support HR 2362 Oppose S 1484 Oppose HR 1737 Oppose portions of Financial Services and Government Funding Bill for 2016 which limit funding for the CFPB and underfund the SEC Support requiring Sallie Mae to be more compliant with CRA requirements Support requiring the FHA to improve its current proposal and adopt an enhanced certification requirement that requires lenders to certify that they meet all three of the following: Exercise of due diligence and good faith in underwriting the mortgage and submitting the application for insurance, which is proposed; Establish, operate and monitor a Quality Control program that complies with all FHA requirements; and For any defects that occur notwithstanding compliance with the first two lender duties, timely remediate or indemnify FHA for any defects that affect the insurability of the loan. Support a strong short term lending reform package by the CFPB that does not undermine state or local laws which may be stronger (offer more protection) Urge FHA to improve its current proposal to change the certification requirements that lenders must make in order to secure Federal Housing Administration insurance on a mortgage loan and adopt an enhanced certification requirement that requires lenders to certify that they meet all three of the following: Exercise of due diligence and good faith in underwriting the mortgage and submitting the application for insurance, which is proposed; Establish, operate and monitor a Quality Control program that complies with all FHA requirements; and For any defects that occur notwithstanding compliance with the first two lender duties, timely remediate or indemnify FHA for any defects that affect the insurability of the loan. Oppose HR 1210 Oppose HR 3192 Oppose HR 1737 Oppose HR 776 Oppose HR 1317 Oppose HR 1941 Oppose HR 3189 Support HR 3524 / S 1981 Oppose HUDs recent decision to remove homeowner-protective language from FHAs form single family note and mortgage oppose Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Assessment Tool, Docket No. FR-5173-N-05 Support ban on all overdraft features and to apply credit card rules to any credit line designed to be accessible through a prepaid card. support the Federal Insurance Offices effort to assess the affordability and accessibility of auto insurance in low-wealth communities, communities of color and underserved communities and the proposed definition of affordability and Affected Persons. Oppose HR 1266
2015 · third_quarter · Health Issues
Support H.R. 2362, the Medical Debt Relief Act. Commented to Support new United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) efforts to ensure patient safety through the release of draft guidance entitled Mixing, Diluting, or Repackaging Biological Products Outside the Scope of an Approved Biologic License Application. Joined with the I Am (Still) Essential Coalition to urge the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to ensure that the many patient protections included in the Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2016 and the Letter to Insurers are adhered to and strictly enforced as part of the 2016 upcoming Qualified Health Plan (QHP) review. Support the passage of H.R. 6, the 21st Century Cures Act. Joined with the Health IT Now Coalition in supporting the interoperability sections of H.R. 6, the 21st Century Cures Act. RetireSafe also specifically supported provisions in H.R. 6 designed to speed up the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) process through an established timeline so that much-needed new vaccines can be approved for coverage and use. Joined with numerous patient advocate organizations to urge Congress to maintain a strong and secure patent system that recognizes the rights of legitimate patent owners and addresses the new forms of abuses that have emerged in both the courts and at the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (PTO), especially in consideration of the critical nature of strong patent protection in the development of new therapies and treatments that could benefit millions of patients suffering with substantial unmet medical needs. RetireSafe supported maintaining 12 years of data exclusivity for biologic drugs under the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TTP) trade agreement as a key U.S. priority. With National Health Council, urged CMS to include accurate drug-specific out-of-pocket (OOP) costs in the proposed OOP cost estimator under development for the federally-facilitated marketplaces for the 2016 enrollment period. RetireSafe encouraged Members of Congress to hold a formal hearing to review FDA policy and guidance regarding the safe usage of biosimilar drugs. And, with other patient groups, advocated Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) and other rigorous safeguards to ensure the safe use of biosimilar drugs, especially for any federally mandated use.
2015 · third_quarter · Government Issues
Medical debt and credit scores. Medical Debt Relief Act - H.R. 2362. Credit Repair Organizations Act - H.R. 347. Cybersecurity and data security. Information sharing between public and private sectors - H.R.3039. Alternative scores for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. CFPB's Consumer complaint database proposed regulation US 80 FR 26233. Data Security and Breach Notification - H.R.2977, S.1828. Military Personnel - Lending and Credit - H.R. 1735, H.R. 2979, S.1565. Military Lending Act - Employment, Income, Status - H.R. 2977, S.1828. Consumer Privacy Bill of Rights Act - White House Draft. Child Support Assistance Act of 2015 - Child Support Enforcement - H.R. 2091. Improper Payments Coordination Act of 2015 - Do Not Pay Initiative - S.614, H.R.2320. CFPB - "Credit Invisibles" and the "unscoreable" - Consumers with a lack of credit history. CFPB - Use of arbitration agreements involving consumer financial products and services. FIX Credit Reporting Errors Act - S. 1234. Stop Errors in Credit Use Reporting Act - S.1847. Equal Employment for All Act - S. 1981, H.R.3303. Alternative Credit Data - Telecom, utilities reporting consumer payment information to national credit bureaus. H.R. 3035. Child Support Assistance Act - Use of consumer reports in child support enforcement. H.R. 2091, S 2077. Student Loan Servicing, Credit Access and Inclusion Act - H.R.3035. Consumer Reporting Fairness Act - S. 1773. Equal Employment for All Act - Use of consumer credit for employment decisions - H.R.3524, S 1981.
Client expense: $270,000 · Firm income: Not reported
2015 · third_quarter · Health Issues
Support H.R. 2362, the Medical Debt Relief Act. Commented to Support new United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) efforts to ensure patient safety through the release of draft guidance entitled Mixing, Diluting, or Repackaging Biological Products Outside the Scope of an Approved Biologic License Application. Joined with the I Am (Still) Essential Coalition to urge the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to ensure that the many patient protections included in the Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2016 and the Letter to Insurers are adhered to and strictly enforced as part of the 2016 upcoming Qualified Health Plan (QHP) review. Support the passage of H.R. 6, the 21st Century Cures Act. Joined with the Health IT Now Coalition in supporting the interoperability sections of H.R. 6, the 21st Century Cures Act. RetireSafe also specifically supported provisions in H.R. 6 designed to speed up the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) process through an established timeline so that much-needed new vaccines can be approved for coverage and use. Joined with numerous patient advocate organizations to urge Congress to maintain a strong and secure patent system that recognizes the rights of legitimate patent owners and addresses the new forms of abuses that have emerged in both the courts and at the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (PTO), especially in consideration of the critical nature of strong patent protection in the development of new therapies and treatments that could benefit millions of patients suffering with substantial unmet medical needs. RetireSafe supported maintaining 12 years of data exclusivity for biologic drugs under the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TTP) trade agreement as a key U.S. priority. With National Health Council, urged CMS to include accurate drug-specific out-of-pocket (OOP) costs in the proposed OOP cost estimator under development for the federally-facilitated marketplaces for the 2016 enrollment period. RetireSafe encouraged Members of Congress to hold a formal hearing to review FDA policy and guidance regarding the safe usage of biosimilar drugs. And, with other patient groups, advocated Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) and other rigorous safeguards to ensure the safe use of biosimilar drugs, especially for any federally mandated use.
2015 · second_quarter · Banking
H.R. 1195 - Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection Advisory Boards Act H.R. 2362 - Medical Debt Relief Act of 2015 H.R. 1210 - Portfolio Lending and Mortgage Access Act S. 1484 - The Financial Regulatory Improvement Act of 2015
Client expense: $10,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2015 · second_quarter · Financial Institutions/Investments/Securities
Support HUD reducing FHA mortgage premiums. Oppose any efforts to dismantle, weaken, or change the structure or the funding stream of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Support a rule from the CFPB regarding payday lending which require the lender to determine the borrowers ability to repay the loan, including consideration of income and expenses; does not sanction any series of repeat loans or provide a safe harbor for poorly underwritten loans; establishes an outer limit on length of indebtedness that is at least as short as the FDICs 2005 guidelines - 90 days in a twelve-month period; and restricts lenders from requiring a post-dated check or electronic access to a borrowers checking account as a condition of extending credit. Support the Department of Labor's proposed "Conflicted Advice Rule" regarding retirement savings. Support the CFPB's study on forced arbitration clauses; oppose efforts to disable the CFPB to act on its findings. Support Whitehouse Amendment to S. 178. Oppose Toomey Amendment to S. 178. Regarding the CFPBs proposed amendments to its mortgage servicing regulations: The final rule should create a deterrent to unreasonable conduct by servicers in confirming successor status by creating a privately enforceable right triggered by the homeowners submission of documentation, not the servicers additional step of confirming the persons status; the final rule should clearly state that a borrower who has obtained a permanent loan modification is eligible to apply again for loss mitigation, as the delinquency has been cured; dual tracking protections should kick in when a homeowner has submitted an initial loss mitigation application package, not when a servicer deems the package complete;The final rule should include specific requirements that the transferor servicer has an obligation to provide all documents and information that have been provided by a borrower on a loss mitigation application to the transferee servicer, including any records of the transferors discussions with borrowers about loss mitigation and any copies of loss mitigation relevant documents. The rule also should require the transferor servicer to provide a detailed list of loans with pending loss mitigation applications and should require the transferee to review the material (not just obtain it); and the CFPB should expand the force-placed insurance provisions in the mortgage servicing rule to ensure that homeowners without escrow accounts are protected from force-placed insurance abuses. Support Crapo-Warner Amendment to the Budget Resolution to ensure that Congress cannot raise Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guarantee fees to offset the costs associated with unrelated initiatives. Support the Consumer Financial Protection Bureaus proposed rule on prepaid cards. Oppose H.R. 685 Oppose H.R. 1529 Oppose H.R. 650 Oppose H.R. 1408 Oppose H.R. 1265 Oppose H.R. 1259 Oppose H.R. 1195 Oppose H.R. 601 Support the Consumer Financial Protection Bureaus Safe Student Account Scorecard initiative Support S. 838 / H.R. 1565 oppose H.R. 50 Oppose HR 37 Support Merkely (OR) amendment #842 to S Con Res 11 Support continued implementation of Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act of 2010; oppose efforts to eliminate or weaken provisions of the law Oppose HR 1195 as it was presented to the full House of Representatives (oppose capping and cutting its funding) Support S. 1133 / H.R.2087 Oppose NDAA Amendment #268 (Stivers) Support HR 2362 Oppose S 1484 Oppose HR 1737 Oppose portions of Financial Services and Government Funding Bill for 2016 which limit funding for the CFPB and underfund the SEC Support requiring Sallie Mae to be more compliant with CRA requirements Support requiring the FHA to improve its current proposal and adopt an enhanced certification requirement that requires lenders to certify that they meet all three of the following: Exercise of due diligence and good faith in underwriting the mortgage and submitting the application for insurance, which is proposed; Establish, operate and monitor a Quality Control program that complies with all FHA requirements; and For any defects that occur notwithstanding compliance with the first two lender duties, timely remediate or indemnify FHA for any defects that affect the insurability of the loan. Support a strong short term lending reform package by the CFPB that does not undermine state or local laws which may be stronger (offer more protection)
2015 · second_quarter · Banking
Support HUD reducing FHA mortgage premiums. Oppose any efforts to dismantle, weaken, or change the structure or the funding stream of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Support a rule from the CFPB regarding payday lending which require the lender to determine the borrowers ability to repay the loan, including consideration of income and expenses; does not sanction any series of repeat loans or provide a safe harbor for poorly underwritten loans; establishes an outer limit on length of indebtedness that is at least as short as the FDICs 2005 guidelines - 90 days in a twelve-month period; and restricts lenders from requiring a post-dated check or electronic access to a borrowers checking account as a condition of extending credit. Support the Department of Labor's proposed "Conflicted Advice Rule" regarding retirement savings. Support the CFPB's study on forced arbitration clauses; oppose efforts to disable the CFPB to act on its findings Regarding the CFPBs proposed amendments to its mortgage servicing regulations: The final rule should create a deterrent to unreasonable conduct by servicers in confirming successor status by creating a privately enforceable right triggered by the homeowners submission of documentation, not the servicers additional step of confirming the persons status; the final rule should clearly state that a borrower who has obtained a permanent loan modification is eligible to apply again for loss mitigation, as the delinquency has been cured; dual tracking protections should kick in when a homeowner has submitted an initial loss mitigation application package, not when a servicer deems the package complete;The final rule should include specific requirements that the transferor servicer has an obligation to provide all documents and information that have been provided by a borrower on a loss mitigation application to the transferee servicer, including any records of the transferors discussions with borrowers about loss mitigation and any copies of loss mitigation relevant documents. The rule also should require the transferor servicer to provide a detailed list of loans with pending loss mitigation applications and should require the transferee to review the material (not just obtain it); and the CFPB should expand the force-placed insurance provisions in the mortgage servicing rule to ensure that homeowners without escrow accounts are protected from force-placed insurance abuses. Support Crapo-Warner Amendment to the Budget Resolution to ensure that Congress cannot raise Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guarantee fees to offset the costs associated with unrelated initiatives. Support the Consumer Financial Protection Bureaus proposed rule on prepaid cards. Oppose H.R. 685. Oppose H.R. 1529 Oppose H.R. 650 Oppose H.R. 1408 Oppose H.R. 1265 Oppose H.R. 1259 Oppose H.R. 1195 Oppose H.R. 601 Support the Consumer Financial Protection Bureaus Safe Student Account Scorecard initiative. Support S. 838 / H.R. 1565 Oppose H.R. 50 Oppose HR 37 Support Merkely (OR) amendment #842 to S Con Res 11 Support continued implementation of Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act of 2010; oppose efforts to eliminate or weaken provisions of the law. Oppose HR 1195 as it was presented to the full House of Representatives (oppose capping and cutting its funding). Support the CFPBs initial steps towards releasing a proposed rule on short-term lending and urge the CFPB to issue the strongest possible rules to end the damaging effects of predatory lending. Support S. 1133 / H.R.2087 Oppose NDAA Amendment #268 (Stivers) Support HR 2362 Oppose S 1484 Oppose HR 1737 Oppose portions of Financial Services and Government Funding Bill for fiscal year 2016 which limit funding for the CFPB and underfund the SEC. Support requiring Sallie Mae to be more compliant with CRA requirements Support the Department of Education's Proposed Amendments to the Cash Management Rule, 34 C.F.R. Part 668Docket ID ED-2015-OPE-0020 Support the Student Non-Discrimination Act as an amendment to S. 1177 Support requiring the FHA to improve its current proposal and adopt an enhanced certification requirement that requires lenders to certify that they meet all three of the following: Exercise of due diligence and good faith in underwriting the mortgage and submitting the application for insurance, which is proposed; Establish, operate and monitor a Quality Control program that complies with all FHA requirements; and For any defects that occur notwithstanding compliance with the first two lender duties, timely remediate or indemnify FHA for any defects that affect the insurability of the loan. Support a strong short term lending reform package by the CFPB that does not undermine state or local laws which may be stronger (offer more protection)
2015 · second_quarter · Consumer Issues/Safety/Products
Support the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's Proposed Language Access Plan. Oppose any efforts to dismantle, weaken, or change the structure or the funding stream of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Support the CFPB's study on forced arbitration clauses. Support the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau adding complaint details (narratives) to its public database. Support S. 1133 / H.R.2087 Support HR 2362
Client expense: $68,750 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms & Explosives, Bureau of Prisons (BOP), Bureau of the Census, Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Council of Economic Advisers (CEA), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, Election Assistance Commission (EAC), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Interior, Dept of (DOI), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Credit Union Administration (NCUA), Natl Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST), Natl Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA), Office of Faith-Based & Community Initiatives, Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, State, Dept of (DOS), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), Treasury, Dept of, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA), White House Office
| Democratic |
| CT |
| Mark E. Amodei | Republican | NV |
| Maxine Waters | Democratic | CA |
| Michael E. Capuano | Democratic | MA |
| Robert Pittenger | Republican | NC |
| Scott R. Tipton | Republican | CO |
| Timothy J. Walz | Democratic | MN |
| Wm. Lacy Clay | Democratic | MO |
Client expense: $68,750 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms & Explosives, Bureau of Prisons (BOP), Bureau of the Census, Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Council of Economic Advisers (CEA), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, Election Assistance Commission (EAC), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Interior, Dept of (DOI), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Credit Union Administration (NCUA), Natl Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST), Natl Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA), Office of Faith-Based & Community Initiatives, Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), SENATE, State, Dept of (DOS), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA), White House Office
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $11,560
Government targets: Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE
Government targets: Bureau of Citizenship & Immigration Services (BCIS), Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), SENATE, Social Security Administration (SSA), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Postal Service (USPS), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $10,000
Government targets: Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE
Government targets: Bureau of Citizenship & Immigration Services (BCIS), Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), SENATE, Social Security Administration (SSA), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Postal Service (USPS), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE
Client expense: $68,750 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms & Explosives, Bureau of Prisons (BOP), Bureau of the Census, Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Council of Economic Advisers (CEA), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, Election Assistance Commission (EAC), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Interior, Dept of (DOI), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Credit Union Administration (NCUA), Natl Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST), Natl Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA), Office of Faith-Based & Community Initiatives, Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), SENATE, State, Dept of (DOS), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA), White House Office
Client expense: $68,750 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms & Explosives, Bureau of Prisons (BOP), Bureau of the Census, Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Council of Economic Advisers (CEA), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, Election Assistance Commission (EAC), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Interior, Dept of (DOI), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Credit Union Administration (NCUA), Natl Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST), Natl Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA), Office of Faith-Based & Community Initiatives, Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), SENATE, State, Dept of (DOS), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA), White House Office
Client expense: $68,750 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms & Explosives, Bureau of Prisons (BOP), Bureau of the Census, Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Council of Economic Advisers (CEA), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, Election Assistance Commission (EAC), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Interior, Dept of (DOI), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Credit Union Administration (NCUA), Natl Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST), Natl Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA), Office of Faith-Based & Community Initiatives, Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), SENATE, State, Dept of (DOS), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA), White House Office
Client expense: $68,750 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms & Explosives, Bureau of Prisons (BOP), Bureau of the Census, Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Council of Economic Advisers (CEA), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, Election Assistance Commission (EAC), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Interior, Dept of (DOI), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Credit Union Administration (NCUA), Natl Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST), Natl Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA), Office of Faith-Based & Community Initiatives, Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), SENATE, State, Dept of (DOS), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA), White House Office
Client expense: $68,750 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms & Explosives, Bureau of Prisons (BOP), Bureau of the Census, Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Council of Economic Advisers (CEA), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, Election Assistance Commission (EAC), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Interior, Dept of (DOI), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Credit Union Administration (NCUA), Natl Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST), Natl Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA), Office of Faith-Based & Community Initiatives, Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), SENATE, State, Dept of (DOS), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA), White House Office
Client expense: $68,750 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms & Explosives, Bureau of Prisons (BOP), Bureau of the Census, Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Council of Economic Advisers (CEA), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, Election Assistance Commission (EAC), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Interior, Dept of (DOI), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Credit Union Administration (NCUA), Natl Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST), Natl Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA), Office of Faith-Based & Community Initiatives, Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), SENATE, State, Dept of (DOS), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA), White House Office
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $10,000
Government targets: Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE
Government targets: Bureau of Citizenship & Immigration Services (BCIS), Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, Social Security Administration (SSA), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Postal Service (USPS), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $16,214
Government targets: Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE
Government targets: Bureau of Citizenship & Immigration Services (BCIS), Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, Social Security Administration (SSA), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Postal Service (USPS), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)
Client expense: $68,750 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms & Explosives, Bureau of Prisons (BOP), Bureau of the Census, Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Council of Economic Advisers (CEA), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, Election Assistance Commission (EAC), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Interior, Dept of (DOI), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Credit Union Administration (NCUA), Natl Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST), Natl Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA), Office of Faith-Based & Community Initiatives, Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), SENATE, State, Dept of (DOS), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA), White House Office
Client expense: $68,750 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms & Explosives, Bureau of Prisons (BOP), Bureau of the Census, Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Council of Economic Advisers (CEA), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, Election Assistance Commission (EAC), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Interior, Dept of (DOI), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Credit Union Administration (NCUA), Natl Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST), Natl Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA), Office of Faith-Based & Community Initiatives, Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), SENATE, State, Dept of (DOS), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA), White House Office
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE
Client expense: $10,667 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE
Client expense: $9,545 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE
Client expense: $19,961 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $10,662
Government targets: Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE
Government targets: Bureau of Citizenship & Immigration Services (BCIS), Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), SENATE, Social Security Administration (SSA), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Postal Service (USPS)
Client expense: $68,750 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms & Explosives, Bureau of Prisons (BOP), Bureau of the Census, Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Council of Economic Advisers (CEA), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, Election Assistance Commission (EAC), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Interior, Dept of (DOI), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Credit Union Administration (NCUA), Natl Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST), Natl Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA), Office of Faith-Based & Community Initiatives, Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, State, Dept of (DOS), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA), White House Office
Client expense: $68,750 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms & Explosives, Bureau of Prisons (BOP), Bureau of the Census, Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Council of Economic Advisers (CEA), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, Election Assistance Commission (EAC), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Interior, Dept of (DOI), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Credit Union Administration (NCUA), Natl Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST), Natl Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA), Office of Faith-Based & Community Initiatives, Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, State, Dept of (DOS), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA), White House Office
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE
Client expense: $68,750 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms & Explosives, Bureau of Prisons (BOP), Bureau of the Census, Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Council of Economic Advisers (CEA), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, Election Assistance Commission (EAC), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Interior, Dept of (DOI), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Credit Union Administration (NCUA), Natl Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST), Natl Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA), Office of Faith-Based & Community Initiatives, Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, State, Dept of (DOS), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), Treasury, Dept of, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA), White House Office
Client expense: $68,750 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms & Explosives, Bureau of Prisons (BOP), Bureau of the Census, Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Council of Economic Advisers (CEA), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, Election Assistance Commission (EAC), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Interior, Dept of (DOI), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Credit Union Administration (NCUA), Natl Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST), Natl Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA), Office of Faith-Based & Community Initiatives, Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, State, Dept of (DOS), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), Treasury, Dept of, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA), White House Office
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $9,546
Government targets: Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE
Government targets: Bureau of Citizenship & Immigration Services (BCIS), Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), SENATE, Social Security Administration (SSA), U.S. Postal Service (USPS)
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE
Client expense: $68,750 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms & Explosives, Bureau of Prisons (BOP), Bureau of the Census, Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Council of Economic Advisers (CEA), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, Election Assistance Commission (EAC), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Interior, Dept of (DOI), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Credit Union Administration (NCUA), Natl Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST), Natl Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA), Office of Faith-Based & Community Initiatives, Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, State, Dept of (DOS), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), Treasury, Dept of, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA), White House Office
Client expense: $68,750 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms & Explosives, Bureau of Prisons (BOP), Bureau of the Census, Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Council of Economic Advisers (CEA), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, Election Assistance Commission (EAC), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Interior, Dept of (DOI), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Credit Union Administration (NCUA), Natl Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST), Natl Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA), Office of Faith-Based & Community Initiatives, Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, State, Dept of (DOS), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), Treasury, Dept of, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA), White House Office