Usually, when you hear the term “bipartisan,” that means something good is happening. Well, when it comes to fixing surprise medical bills that isn’t the case. Out-going Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) has been pushing price controls as a way to “fix” surprise medical bills. That would amount to a massive pay cut to doctors and a massive handout to insurance companies. The Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) is concerned that the lame duck Congress will include this insurance company giveaway in the next spending bill. We just released an ad ([link removed]) that urges Congress not to do that. If Congress really wants to fix surprise medical bills they should pass independent dispute resolution (IDR) like they have in New York and Texas because IDR works. Patients are taken care of and doctors and nurses are happy with how the process works to make sure they are adequately and justly compensated.


Tobacco Harm Reduction 101: Everything You Wanted to Know But Were Too Afraid to Ask

My Dad smoked 3 ½ packs of cigarettes a day for more than 20 years. The only reason he stopped is because he had a heart attack and subsequently a triple bypass. That was the most horrific time in his life and mine. My father is no longer with us and smoking and his addiction to cigarettes is the reason why he died at the young age of 63. In 1999 (when he passed) there weren’t any vaping products that could help him quit. I wish I had a time machine to go back and give him an e-cigarette or a product that uses new heat-not-burn technology. Those products would have saved his life. The Food and Drug Administration has an opportunity to save millions of lives by approving these products.

Unfortunately, powerful special interest groups are continuing to spread misinformation about these life-saving products. Because of this, many Americans – including policymakers and members of the media – remain unaware of how reduced risk tobacco alternatives have the potential to save millions of lives. This is why, this week, TPA launched a new explainer ([link removed]) to help answer common questions about these products and dispel myths and misconceptions. This “question and answer” series takes dozens of peer reviewed scientific papers, and distills them into clear, concise, answers that are easy to understand by anyone, even without any scientific or policy background. Plus, for people wishing to investigate further, it provides links to all the studies referenced.

The scientific evidence on the life-saving potential of reduced risk tobacco alternatives is overwhelming and not in dispute by anyone other than cranks and special interest groups relying on pseudo-science and fake data. If the incoming Biden administration holds true to its pre-election commitment to follow the science, then one of its very first acts should be to order the FDA to help smokers make the switch to vaping. At a stroke of a pen, millions of lives would be saved – more than by any other action that the administration could possibly take. We hope our report will be widely read, and help make this dream a reality.


Thank you Chairman Pai

It isn’t very often that an agency head comes along that warrants a massive Thank You from us. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai is that person. TPA wants to congratulate him on an exemplary tenure at the agency following the announcement of his departure on January 20, 2021.

Over the last eight years, it’s difficult to think of a better friend to taxpayers and consumers in government than Chairman Ajit Pai. Serving as a commissioner and ultimately chairman of the FCC, Pai has not only stood firm on core principles, but he advanced the ball in the face of massive pressure from all directions on many issues important to taxpayers and consumers. Despite personal attacks and physical threats against he and his family, and onslaughts from various powerful interests and poorly informed comedians, Chairman Pai was able to clear away dated and needless regulatory structures and resolve wireless spectrum issues impeding the deployment of critical broadband infrastructure, including new 5G networks. Today, despite the most hyperbolic tech apocalypse predictions since the Y2K scare surrounding Pai’s rollback of onerous "net neutrality" rules, more Americans have access to fast, reliable broadband than ever before.

No one could have known that the COVID-19 pandemic was right around the corner, but the principles Pai advanced during his tenure left Americans better suited to adapt to a remote economy than most other nations in the developed world. When the pandemic began, Pai challenged internet service providers to rise to the occasion and continue to provide critical broadband services to consumers regardless of their ability to pay through the "Keep Americans Connected" pledge. Hundreds of companies followed his lead. No additional money was necessary and no new regulations were needed.

One of his most enduring legacies was spearheading an effort to set up a 9-8-8 suicide hotline to aid people in their most important time of need. Nobody can minimize or politicize this pivotal achievement.



Blogs:

Monday: Taxpayer Group Congratulates FCC Chair Pai on Successful Tenure ([link removed])

Tuesday: Taxpayer Group Releases New Explainer on Tobacco Harm Reduction & Vaping for Policy Makers and Members of the Media ([link removed])

Thursday: Taxpayer Watchdog Releases New Surprise Medical Billing Ad: “Out in the Cold” ([link removed])

Friday: TPA Spearheads Coalition Opposing Changes to 47 U.S. Code § 230 (Section 230) as Part of the National Defense Authorization Act ([link removed])




Media:

November 21, 2020: The Logan Daily News (Columbus, Ohio) ran TPA’s op-ed, “Biden administration likely to tout more taxpayer-funded broadband.”

November 21, 2020: The Galion Inquirer (Mt. Gilead, Ohio) ran TPA’s op-ed, “Lame-duck Congress needs to pass responsible budget.”

November 23, 2020: WBFF (Fox, Baltimore) interviewed me about a proposed work-from-home tax.

November 23, 2020: RealClearDefense ran TPA’s op-ed, “Pentagon Must Demand Competition in Missile Defense Procurement.”

November 23, 2020: The Center Square ran TPA’s op-ed, “The content moderation and coordination conundrum for Big Tech.”

November 23, 2020: The Washington Examiner ran TPA’s op-ed, “The only prescription for our healthcare problems is a robust free market.”

November 23, 2020: TPA's VP of Policy Patrick Hedger appeared on "Patriot Special Report" (SiriusXM) to talk about Taxpayer Turkeys.

November 24, 2020: American Thinker ran TPA’s op-ed, “Federal government 'suggestion': Men, no more than one drink per day.”

November 24, 2020: Patrick appeared on BIZTV’s "Liquid Lunch w/ John Tobacco" to discuss regulations and the response to Covid-19.

November 25, 2020: I appeared on “The Lars Larson Show” (nationally syndicated) to discuss electric vehicle subsidies.

November 25, 2020: I appeared on "Delmarva Live" on WGMD 92.7 FM (Rehoboth Beach, Del.) to talk about Taxpayer Turkeys.

November 25, 2020: I appeared on WRVA 1140 AM (Richmond, Va.) to talk about Biden’s tax plan.

November 27, 2020: The Livingston Parish News (Denham Springs, La.) ran TPA’s op-ed, “No good for taxpayers – Biden administration likely to tout more taxpayer-funded broadband.”

November 28, 2020: I appeared on WBAL 1090 AM (Baltimore, Md.) to talk about electric vehicle subsidies.

November 28, 2020: Townhall.com ran TPA’s op-ed, “Protecting IP and Rapid Vaccine Development Go Hand in Hand.”

November 30, 2020: I appeared on "The Jimmy Lakey Show" on KCOL 600 AM (Denver, Co.) to talk about electric vehicle subsidies.

November 23, 2020: WBFF (Fox, Baltimore) interviewed me about the ransomware attack on Baltimore County schools.

November 30, 2020: Townhall.com ran TPA’s op-ed, “States, Localities Should Choose Science Over Endless Lockdowns and Curfews.”

November 30, 2020: The Center Square ran TPA’s op-ed, “With right holiday pricing, USPS can 'sleigh' financial expectations.”

November 30, 2020: Politico mentioned TPA in their article, “Time running out for defense policy bill.”

December 1, 2020: I appeared on "Wake Up Springfield with Tim Jones" on KWTO 93.3 FM (Springfield, Mo.) to talk about Taxpayer Turkeys.

December 1, 2020: Reason mentioned TPA in their article, “Sneaking Section 230 Reform Into the Defense Bill Is a Terrible Idea.”

December 1, 2020: The Hill quoted TPA in their story, “Group launches ads opposing bipartisan fix to 'surprise' medical bills.”

December 2, 2020: Patrick appeared ([link removed]) on "The Pete Kaliner Show" on WWNC (Asheville, N.C.) and WBT (Charlotte, N.C.) to discuss regulations and the response to Covid-19.

December 2, 2020: Politico mentioned TPA in their article, “Congress Makes Another 'Surprise' Billing Push.”

December 2, 2020: The Daily Journal (Kankakee, Ill.) ran TPA’s op-ed, “Postal Service needs to rapidly realign pricing.”

December 2, 2020: The Morrow County Sentinel (Mt. Gilead, Ohio) ran TPA’s op-ed, “How USPS can ‘sleigh’ holiday expectations.”

December 2, 2020: Townhall.com ran TPA’s op-ed, “Latest Defense Bill May Irreparably Damage Our Greatest Asset, Tech Dominance.”

December 2, 2020: The Center Square ran TPA’s op-ed, “No party has a monopoly on the facts.”

December 2, 2020: Patrick appeared on KMOX 1120 AM (St. Louis, Mo.) to talk about surprise medical billing.

December 2, 2020: Khn.org mentioned TPA in their article, “The Hill: Group Launches Ads Opposing Bipartisan Fix To 'Surprise' Medical Bills.”

December 3, 2020: WBFF (Fox, Baltimore) interviewed me about proposals for the U.S. to re-enter into the Paris Agreement.

December 3, 2020: I appeared on WBOB 600 AM (Jacksonville, Fla.) to talk about another round of relief money.

December 3, 2020: The Galion Inquirer (Galion, Ohio) ran TPA’s op-ed, “No party has a monopoly on the facts.”

December 4, 2020: Inside Sources ran TPA’s op-ed, “Congress Must Stop Surprise Medical Billing Without Harming Healthcare Providers.”

December 4, 2020: Inside Sources ran TPA’s op-ed, “USPS Must Deliver Transparency to the American People.”

Have a great weekend, stay safe, and as always, thanks for your continued support.

Best,
David Williams
President
Taxpayers Protection Alliance
1401 K Street, NW
Suite 502
Washington, D.C. xxxxxx
www.protectingtaxpayers.org ([link removed])

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