Washington Letter Archive
2024
November
October
September
- ATS Comments on House Republican N.I.H. Reform Proposal
- House Speaker Johnson Struggles with Federal Funding Bill
- Congress and President Complete Temporary Spending Bill
August
July
- House Passes Bill to cut E.P.A. Funding
- CMS Releases 2025 Proposed Rules for Physician and Hospital Payment Rules
June
- U.S. Supreme Court issued several final rulings that have significant impacts on public health
- House Passes Bill that Bans Animal Model Research at the VA
- ATS Virtual Hill Day on Access to Supplemental Oxygen
April
- White House Announces Delay in Menthol Cigarette Ban
- EPA Releases Suite of Rules to Reduce Emissions from Power Plants
- ATS Supports Legislation to Expand Research on Pediatric Drug Development
- NIOSH Issues Request for Information on Outdoor Worker Health and Exposure to Wildland Fire Smoke
- NIAID Invites Public Feedback on Strategic Plan
March
- EPA Issues Final Rule to Reduce GHG Emissions from Heavy Duty Trucks
- ATS Joins Amicus Brief in Held v Montana on Climate Change
- ATS Joins Amicus Brief in Abortion Access Case
- Appeals Court Affirms Tobacco Graphic Warning Labels are Constitutional
- NIAID Strategic Plan for Tuberculosis Research 2024 Update
- ATS Goes to Capitol Hill in Support of FY25 Research Funding
- EPA Issues Final Rule to Reduce Multi-Pollutant Emissions from Cars and Light Trucks
- EPA Issues Final Rule to Reduce Hazardous Emissions of Ethylene Oxide
- Congress Makes Progress on FY24 Appropriations Bills – EPA Funding Cut
- ATS Testifies in Support of EPA Good Neighbor Rule Expansion
February
- ATS Leaders Meet With NIH Leaders to Advocate for Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Research
- Fiscal Year 2024 Appropriations
- ATS Meets with Key NIH Leaders
- ATS Urges Biden Administration to Finalize MSHA Silica Exposure Standard
- ATS Joins Amicus Brief in Mifepristone Case
- NIMHD Research Grant Opportunities
January
- Short-term Spending Bill Enacted, Long-term Funding Remains Uncertain
- Congressional Leaders Agree on FY2024 Spending Bill – House Republican Freedom Caucus Not Yet on Board
- Court Rules Against FDA on Marketing Denial Order for Flavored E-cigarette Liquid. US Supreme Court Likely Next Stop
- US Supreme Court Denies Challenge to California Flavor Tobacco Ban
2023
October
- ATS C0-Hosts NHLBI's 75 Anniversary Celebration
- NIH Nominee Dr. Monica Bertagnolli Appears Before Senate HELP Committee
- Congress Temporarily Averts Government Shutdown, House Fires Speaker McCarthy
- ATS Comments on EU Proposal to Ban MDI Propellants with High Global Warming Impact
- ATS Participates in UN TB Meeting
August
- HHS Establishes Office of Long COVID Research and Practice
- ATS Responds to NIH's TB Strategic Framework
- FDA Center for Tobacco Control Issues Warning Letters to Sellers of Illegal E-Cig Products that Appeal to Children
- EPA Delays Action on New Ozone Standard
- ATS Testifies in Support of MSHA Silica Standard
- And the House Appropriations Committee Speaks on Tobacco & Nicotone Too...
- House Appropriations Committee Cuts EPA funding and Includes Policy Riders
- House Subcommittee Passes LHHS Services Appropriations with Big Cuts and Legislative Riders
- Biden Names Jeanne M. Marrazzo, MD, as NIAID Director
July
- Congress Advances International TB Control Legislation
- Friends of NIEHS Coalition Letter to Senate Appropriations Subcommittees
- Senate Makes Progress on Funding Bills, House Struggles with Funding Measures
- CDC to Launch "Bridge Access Program" in Fall 2023 to Provide Free COVID-19 Vaccines and Treatments to Uninsured and Underinsured Adults
- House Appropriations Committee Eliminates Tobacco Control Funding, Blocks FDA Tobacco Regulations
- House Appropriations Subcommittee Cuts NIH and CDC Budget
- MSHA Proposes New Silica Exposure Limits for Miners
- Nomination of NIH Director Delayed
- House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittee Provide Increase for VA Research Funding
- Centers for Cancer Control Research in Areas of Persistent Poverty
- ATS Submits Amicus Brief in Support of the City of Berkeley, CA
- ATS Submits Comments on EPA Heavy-Duty Vehicle GHG Rule
- ATS Urges EPA to Issue More Protective Standards for Mercury-and-Air Toxic Emissions from Power Plants
- ATS Joins Amicus Brief to Protect Access to Preventative Services under ACA
June
- ATS Participates in Survey of Telemedicine E/M CPT Codes
- Biden Expected to Nominate Mandy Cohen MD, MPH as CDC Director
- Proposed Division of Lung Disease Reorganization
- ATS Hill Day - ATS Goes to Congress
- Debt Ceiling Bill Passes Congress
- ATS Holds Climate Change Rally on Capitol Hill
May
- EPA Proposes Rule to Reduce GHG Emissions from Power Plants
- ATS Testifies in Support of GHG Vehicle Tailpipe Emissions Standards
- ATS Testifies in Support of Reducing Mercury and Air Toxins
- Join us at the ATS Climate Change Rally on Capitol Hill
- USPSFT Supports Screening for Latent Tuberculosis Infection in Adults
April
- ATS and California Thoracic Society Urge California to Take Action Against "Cool/Non-menthol" Cigarettes
- House Passes Debt Limit Bill
- ATS Joins Amicus Brief to Preserve Preventive Service Benefits Under ACA
- Dr. Monica Bertagnolli is a Candidate for NIH Director
- Spring Issue of ATS Coding and Billing Quarterly Available
- House Republicans Issue Debt Limit Proposal
- Fiscal Year 2024 Funding for Global and Domestic TB Programs
- FDA Proposal to Ban Menthol Cigarettes & Flavored Cigars Hit One-Year Anniversary
- EPA Accelerates EV Transition in Proposal to Reduce Tailpipe Emissions
- EPA Proposes Mercury and Air Toxic Pollution Reductions from Coal-Fired Power Plants
- NCI Issues Strategic Plan
- Biden Administration to Expand Medicaid and ACA Health Care Access to DACA Immigrants
- Juul Settles with six States and D.C. over Youth Marketing Practices
- Texas Judge Strikes Affordable Care Act Preventive Services Requirement
- ATS Tells EPA to Set More Protective PM2.5 Standard
- ATS Testifies in Support of More Protective Ozone Standard
March
- ATS Lobbies Congress (Virtually!)
- ATS Comments on Healthcare Workforce Shortage
- Global TB Control Legislation Introduced
- Research News Quarterly
- EPA Final Good Neighbor Rule to Reduce Cross State Emission of Ozone Pollution
- ATS Supports NIH's Proposed Simplified Review Framework for Research Project Grant Applications
- Biden Unveils FY 2024 Budget Request - Provides Uneven Increases for NIH Institutes
- ATS Files Amicus Brief to Support EPA Authority to Regulate Pollution from Vehicles
- ATS Joins Public Health Community in Request for Tobacco Control Funding
- ATS Testifies at EPA Hearing in Support of More Protective PM Standards
- ATS Urges Action on Ozone Transport Rule
February
- ATS Participates in Survey of Telemedicine E/M CPT Codes
- ATS Leadership Meets Director of Newly Created ARPA-H
- FDA CTP Seeks Fines on Makers of Illegal E-cigarette Products
- END TB Now Act Introduced in the Senate
- Joint ATS/Chest Webinar on Final Medicare Rule Available on ATS Website
- EPA Issues Final Appropriate and Necessary Finding for Mercury and Air Toxic Emissions
- Biden Administration Announces Actions on Cancer Moonshot Initiative
- Biden Administration Announces End of COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
January
- FDA Denies Marketing of Two Menthol-Flavored E-Cigarette Products
- ATS & CHEST to Hold Joint Webinar on 2023 Medicare Coding and Billing Changes
- Spending Bill Fixes Paperwork Barriers to VA Research - ATS Advocacy Win
- Congress and Administration Finally Complete FY23 Spending Bills – Research and Public Health Programs Receive Increases
- EPA Released Proposed New Particulate Matter Pollution Standard – Fails to Follow Expert Recommendations
- ATS & CHEST Hold Joint Webinar on 2023 Medicare Coding and Billing Changes
2022
December
- Administration Reminds Governors of Federal Emergency Funding to Respond to Triple Threat - COVID-19, RSV & Flu
- Texas Judge Rules Against FDA Graphic Warning Labels for Cigarettes
- Supreme Court Rejects Request to Stay Implementation of California Flavored Tobacco Ban
- Congress Passes One-Week Funding Extension - Continues Work on FY23 Funding Bill
- CDC Releases Publication: "Reported Tuberculosis in the United States"
- TB Legislation Moves in Senate
November
- EPA Issues Proposed Rule to Reduce Methane Emissions from Existing Oil and Natural Gas Extraction Operations
- Medicaid Expansion Approved in South Dakota
- FDA Issues Warning Letters to Company Illegally Marketing E-Cigarettes
October
- FDA Denies Menthol E-cigarette Product Application
- ATS Sends Letter to FDA Urging Nicotine Product Standard for All Tobacco Products
- White House Releases Nearly $1 Billion in Funds for Electric School Buses
- ACA's Preventative Care Requirement Under New Attack
- USAID Announces Eight-Year Strategy to End Tuberculosis
- World Health Organization's 2022 Global TB Report
- FDA Takes Makers of Illegal E-cigarettes Products to Court
- Dr. Arati Prabhaker Confirmed as Director of White House OSTP
- More Kids are Using E-Cigarettes - CDC Releases 2022 Youth Tobacco Survey Data
- 2022 NINR Director's Lecture Series: Health Equity
- ATS Responds to Proposed Rulemaking on Non-Discrimination
- Monica Bertagnolli, MD - New NCI Director
- ATS Joins Letter to Department of Energy Supporting Efficiency Standards for Furnaces
- House and Senate Pass Continuing Resolution
- EPA's Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights
September
- Philips Respironics Recalls Additional BPAP Devices
- ATS Participates in Medical Summit on Firearm Injury Prevention
- President Biden Reports on Cancer Moonshot Initiative
- President Biden Appoints Dr. Renne Wegrzyn Inaugural ARPA-H Director
- State Attorneys General Research Tentative Settlement with Juul for Marketing Nicotine to Kids
- Federal Judge Rules Against ACA Requirement on Cover HIV-Prevention Drugs
- ATS Submits Comments to CMS on Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Rule
- Congress Holds Hearing on Car Air Pollution Control Defeat Devices
August
- California Moves to Phase-In Sale of 100 Percent Zero-Emissions Vehicles by 2035
- Inflation Reduction Act Strengthens EPA's authority to Regulate GHG emissions
- Dr. Fauci Stepping Down as Director of the NIAID
- Biden Signs Major Climate, Health and Tax Bill Into Law
July
- July 2022 Issue of ATS Research News Quarterly Available
- Manchin and Schumer Reach Agreement on Major Climate, Health, and Tax Bill
- Senate Appropriations Committee Markup of FY 2023 Spending Bills
- Pulmonary Rehabilitation Payment Cuts in Proposed CMS Outpatient Prospective Payment Rule
- Federal Court in Texas to Hear New Challenge to ACA
- Monica Bertagnolli Pre-Announcement
- SCOTUS Scales Back EPA's Authority to Respond to Climate Change
- Court Temporarily Blocks FDA's Action to Remove Juul from US Market
June
- FDA Orders Juul Products Removed from US Market
- FDA Announces Plans to Issue Nicotine Product Standard for Combustible Tobacco Products
- ATS Comments on EPA's Proposal to Address Cross State Ozone Pollution
- HHS Delays Action on MAC Decision to List Tezspire as a Self-Administered Drug
- House Subcommittee Provides Increase in NIH, CDC Funding
- House Appropriations Committee Moves Other Key Spending Bills
- ATS Testifies to the EPA Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee
- ATS Comments on FDA Proposed Rules to Ban Menthol Cigarettes and Flavored Cigars
- House Subcommittee Recommends Increase for VA Research
- FDA Schedules Sessions to Collect Public Input on Menthol Cigarette and Flavored Cigar Rule
- Impact of COVID-19 Health Misinformation in the Digital Information Environment
- ATS Submits Written Testimony on Fiscal Year 2023
April
- FDA Issues Proposed Rules to Remove Menthol from Cigarettes and Flavors from Cigars
- Federal Judge Rules Mask Mandate Exceeds CDC's Public Health Authority - Biden Administration to Appeal
- ATS Testifies in Support of EPA Proposal Rule to Reduce Downwind Ozone
- NIH-Wide Strategic Plan for DEIA
- ATS Participates in EPA Public Hearing on Diesel Truck and Heavy Duty Emissions Rule
- FDA Issues Deadline for Synthetic Nicotine Tobacco Products to Submit Applications
- President Biden Releases Proposed FY23 Budget
March
- 2022-2027 Strategic Plan for the NIH Center for Scientific Review
- ATS Recognizes World TB Day 2022
- The ATS Asks Biden Administration to Take Action on Tobacco Control
- ATS Holds Virtual Hill Day
- President Biden Signs Fiscal Year 2022 Omnibus Appropriations Law
- Congress Passes FY22 Spending Bill
- Congress Gives FDA Authority to Regulate Synthetic Nicotine as a Tobacco Product
- EPA Takes Three Major Actions to Address Air Quality
- ATS Conduct RUC Survey of Advanced Care Planning CPT Codes
- ATS Comments on OSTP's RFI: Strengthening Community Health Through Technology
February
- ATS Tells EPA to Issue More Protective Particulate Matter Standard
- ATS Supports EPA's Decision to Regulate Mercury & Air Toxics from Power Plants
- Senate Confirms Robert Califf, M.D. as FDA Commissioner
- DOJ Issues Finding that May Limit Outside Salary Support for VA Investigators
- Congress Passes Short-Term Continuing Resolution
- Congressional Leaders Make Progress on FY22 Spending Bills
- The American Thoracic Society Urges Passafe of Fiscal Year 2022 Appropriations
- CMS Expands Eligibility for Lung Cancer Screening
- ATS Accepting Applications for Health Equity Fellowships
- EPA Issues "Necessary and Appropriate" Finding to Suppor
January
- ATS Briefing with NIEHS Director Rick Woychik, PhD
- ATS Coding and Billing Quarterly Errata
- ATS Files Amicus Brief in Pivotal US Supreme Court Case on Climate Change Regulation
- NHLBI Director Shares Research Vision with Community Leaders
- White House Launches At-Home COVID-19 Test Campaign
- NIH Sleep Research Plan Congressional Briefing, Jan. 25, 2022
- HHS Extends COVID Public Health Emergency 90-Days
- U.S. Supreme Court Blocks OSHA COVID-19 Vaccination Rule – Allows CMS Vaccination Rule to Move Forward
- ATS Issues Next Edition of ATS Coding and Billing Quarterly with Webinar
- ATS Urges Biden Administration to Issue Updated Regulation on Heavy Diesel Engines
- U.S. Supreme Court Hears Arguments on CMS and OSHA COVID Vaccine Rules
2021
December
- President Biden Signs Law to Avert 2022 Medicare Payment Cuts
- ATS Responds to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality on Climate Change
- NIH Releases New Sleep Research Agenda
- Congress Approves Short-Term Funding Measure
- CMS Issues Proposed Expansion of Lung Cancer Screening Eligibility
- ATS Urges FDA to Take Swift Action on Synthetic Nicotine Products
- ATS Testifies at EPA Public Hearing for More Protective Particulate Matter Standard
- ATS Testifies in Support of EPA Regulation of Methane Gas Emissions
- Response to the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute on the Science of Engagement
- ATS Urges Court to Support CMS COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement for Health Care Workers
- ATS Urges Prioritizing AHD/AIDS and TB Treatment in Unitaid's 2022-2026 Investment
- Bill to Accelerate Research Introduced in Congress - Cures 2.0 Act
November
- ATS Urges Congress to Support Office of Climate Change and Health Equity and CDC Funding Increases
- ATS Testifies at EPA Public Hearing for More Protective Particulate Matter Standard
- CMS Issues Proposed Expansion of Lung Cancer Screening Eligibility
- ATS Comments on EPA Strategic Plan
- ATS Urges an Increase in Fiscal Year 2023 Tobacco Control Programs
- ATS Urges Congress to Support Research and Public Health Funding Increases
- ATS Urges Congress to Support Office of Climate Change and Health Equity and CDC Funding Increases
- ATS Testifies at EPA Public Hearing for More Protective Particulate Matter Standard
- CMS Issues Proposed Expansion of Lung Cancer Screening Eligibility
- ATS Comments on EPA Strategic Plan
- ATS Urges an Increase in Fiscal Year 2023 Tobacco Control Programs
- ATS Urges Congress to Support Research and Public Health Funding Increases
- ATS and CHEST Re-Survey of Hospital Inpatient/Observations Care Services
- CMS Releases Final 2022 Medicare Payment Rules - Key Changes for ATS Members
- EPA Issues Proposed Rule to Reduce Methane Emissions from Oil and Natural Gas Operations
- Comprehensive TB Control Legislation Introduced in the House
- ATS Urges Congress to Enact NIH Funding Increase
October
- Global TB Deaths on the Rise
- Reported Tuberculosis in the US, 2020
- EPA to Reconsider Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard
- Health Provisions in the Reconciliation Package
- Congressional Democrats and President Appear to Reach Agreement on Budget Reconciliation Package – Providing Big Boost for Climate Change Programs
- FDA Authorized Mint Flavored Tobacco Products
- Senate Appropriations Committee Releases Fiscal Year 2022 Funding Proposals
- FDA Authorizes First E-cigarette Product
- ATS Urges Congress to Provide Steady Funding for Federal Research Programs
- ATS Urges G20 Nations to Invest in TB Vaccine Research
- ATS Comments on ICER Severe Asthma Draft Report
- ATS Joins Letter Seeking Increased Funding for Global and Domestic TB Programs
- ATS Joins Letter to Congress in Support of Increased Federal Excise Taxes on Tobacco Products
September
- ATS Joins Amicus Brief to Hold FDA Accountable for Action on Menthol Cigarettes
- OMB Meeting on Methane
- EPA Issues Final Rule to Phase-Down HFC Emissions
- ATS Joins Letter to Biden Administration, Urging an End to Coal Mining on Federal Lands
- ATS Joins Letter Urging Medicaid to Allow Scheduled Dialysis Coverage of Non-Citizens
- ATS Comments on Medicare Proposed Payment Rules
- ATS Joins Letter in Support of Additional Visas for Researchers
- FDA Meets Court Deadline – But Fails to Address Major E-cigarette Makers
- Biden Administration Issues COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates
- EPA Announces Members of Key Advisory Committees
- Next Week Promises Major Milestone in FDA’s Regulation of Tobacco Products
August
- Next Week Promises Major Milestone in FDA's Regulation of Tobacco Products
- EPA Announces Members of Key Advisory Committees
- ATS Sends Letter Urging UK Government to Review Big Tobacco Giant PMI Takeover of Vectura
- Senate Considers Lowering Medicare Eligibility and Addressing Prescription Drug Costs
- ATS Washington Office Welcomes New Staff Member - Valerie Adelson
- Biden Administration Issues New Policy on Clean Cars
- ATS Joins Letter to EPA Urging Stronger Methane Emissions Regulation
- ATS Urges Congress to Provide Funding for Electric School Buses
- ATS Join CHEST in Letter to CMS on Supplemental Oxygen Coverage
- Senate Appropriations Provides Increase of VA Medical and Prosthetics Research Program
- Senate Appropriations Passes FY22 Agriculture/FDA Bill
July
- Medicare Releases Proposed Medicare Physician Payment Rule
- Sen. Markey Introduces Air Pollution Monitoring Bill
- ATS Opposes Big Tobacco Purchase of Respiratory Inhaler Company
- House Takes First Steps in FY22 Research and Public Health Funding
- ATS Submits Comments to EPA on HFC Phase Down Rule
- EPA Provides Additional Funding for Air Pollution Monitoring
June
- ATS Testifies on Proposal to Rescind Trump Cost-Benefit Rules for EPA Regulations
- ATS Urges President Biden to Lead Global COVID Response Effort
- ATS Provides Input Justice40 Initiative
- ATS and CHEST Conduct Survey of Hospital Inpatient, E/M Consultation Visits, and Prolonged Service Codes
- ATS Testifies on EPA Proposal to Rescind Trump Vehicle Tailpipe Emissions Rule
- Biden Administration Releases FY22 Budget - Proposes Increases for NIH, CDC, EPA and VA Research
May
- ATS and California Thoracic Society Go to Court to Support Los Angeles Tobacco Law
- EPA Issues Proposed Rule to Phase-Down Use of HFCs
- EPA Moves to Restore California Clean Air Waiver Authority
- Contact Your Senators by May 6, 2021 & Urge Them to Sign Casey-Burr NIH Letter
- FDA to Propose Rule to Ban Menthol Cigarettes and Characterizing Flavored Cigars
- FDA Releases List of 6 Million Deemed Tobacco Products Under Review
- ATS Meets with EPA Administrator Michael Regan to Share Policy Priorities
- ATS Joins Letter to Congress Urging Support Biomedical Research
April
- ATS Submits Recommendations on Racial Equity and Diversity to NIH
- Biden Administration Ends Fetal Tissue Research Restriction
- ATS Presents Comments Before NASEM on Health Hazards of Premium Cigars
- Court Ordered Decision on Menthol Cigarettes Expected Next Week
- Biden Administration Revokes Trump Rule – Grants States Authority to Set Vehicle GHG Standards
- Biden Administration Issues GHG Reduction Pledge
- ATS Holds Environmental Hill Week
- Court Dismissed Challenge to San Diego County Tobacco Flavor Sales Ban
- EPA Dismisses Trump Appointed Members
- ATS Joins 17 Colleague Societies to Highlight the Effectiveness of Pulmonary Rehabilitation
- President Biden Releases “Skinny” Budget for FY22
March
- ATS Commemorates World TB Day
- ATS Comments to State Dental Boards
- ATS Urges Medicare to Cover Phrenic Nerve Stimulation for CNS
- COVID-19 Relief Bill Enacted into Law
- ATS Supports Increased Funding for CDC Tobacco Control Programs
- 2021 Virtual ATS Advocacy Week
- Senate Begins Voting on COVID-19 Relief Bill
- ATS Research News Quarterly
- House Committee Introduces Comprehensive Climate Legislation
- ATS Joins Letter Urging FDA to Ban Menthol and Other Flavored Tobacco Products
February
- ATS Urges HHS to Act on Supplemental Oxygen Shortages
- House Set to Consider COVID-19 Relief Bill Week of Feb. 22
- ATS Joins Letter Urging Electrification of Vehicles
- Pediatric Pulmonologists – CPT 94770 Deletion and Next Steps
- Senate Passes Budget Measure, Paving Way for Action on Biden COVID Relief Bill
- Another Win: Censoring Science Court Battle
January
- Court Delays Implementation of Censoring Science Rule
- Biden-Harris Administration Outlines Plans to Combat COVID-19
- Biden Administration Releases COVID-19 Recovery Plan
- Biden Administration Issues Executive Order on Wide Range of Environmental Issues
- Court Strikes Down Trump GHG Rule
- ATS Submits Sleep Apnea Screening Recommendations to USPSTF
- Last Chance to Register for the Joint ATS/CHEST Webinar on Medicare 2021 Final Rule
- Congress Bans Mailing of E-Cigarette/Subjects E-Cigarettes to Federal Excise Taxes
- Joint ATS/CHEST Webinar: Everything You Need to Know About the CMS 2021 Final Payment Rule
- Trump EPA Issues Rule to Protect Industry from Future Climate Regulations
- COVID-19 Relief Package Includes Important Climate Change Provisions
- NIH Receives $1.2 Billion Funding Increase for 2021
- COVID-19 Relief Legislation
- Congress Makes Major Changes to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Rule
- ATS/CHEST Hold Joint Webinar on Medicare 2021 Final Rule
- EPA Finalizes Censoring Science Rule
