Page 201 – Taxpayers Protection Alliance

Profile in Courage: Dr. Deborah Birx

Post author:Taxpayers Protection Alliance
Post published:May 1, 2020
Post category:Healthcare

(Picture: Jim LoScalzo - Pool via CNP / ME) Dr. Deborah Birx has inspired millions of people, and no, this isn’t (just) in reference to her trendsetting scarf choices. Dr. Birx is not only a strong and smart woman who is a role model for future female scientists. She has been a reassuring beacon of light for everyone at an exceptionally dark time, working extraordinarily long hours under media scrutiny while providing indispensable medical advice and keeping Americans updated about the Coronavirus pandemic. Along the way, Dr. Birx was unexpectedly thrust into the political spotlight and endured unfair criticism by both Republicans and Democrats. Dr. Birx has devoted her life to real, not political, science, so given her lack of experience serving in such a public role, stepping into the spotlight must not have been easy. For soldiering on and being an invaluable source of information and reassurance, Dr. Deborah Birx is truly a Profile in Courage.

Budget pork for Kentucky Wired should be used for more deserving causes

Post author:Taxpayers Protection Alliance
Post published:April 30, 2020
Post category:Uncategorized

With COVID 19 uncertainty looming large, the General Assembly fulfilled its constitutional duty to pass a budget. Senator Chris McDaniel, the Appropriations & Revenue Committee Chairman, stated, “Regardless of the near-term challenges, our Constitution has called us to ensure the continued operation of government.” Kentucky has benefited from McDaniel’s steady hand guiding the process these last few weeks. Legislative leaders made several smart choices with this budget. Utilizing the most conservative revenue estimates, adopting a one-year plan instead of a biennial plan were prudent decisions. And then there is Kentucky Wired.

Economists Urge Lawmakers to Reject Healthcare Rate-Setting

Post author:Taxpayers Protection Alliance
Post published:April 28, 2020
Post category:Coalition Uncategorized

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Coalition Against Rate-Setting (CARS) released a letter signed by more than 160 economists opposing healthcare rate-setting in any legislation, especially any potential forthcoming COVID-19 relief legislation. In the letter, the economists warn that, “No matter the policy area, government price controls often result in shortages and market distortions. These outcomes should be avoided, especially when dealing with important health care services like emergency room visits and physician care.” The economists were concerned about this before the pandemic, but are now increasingly alarmed after reports that Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Rep. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) want to insert healthcare price-fixing into “Phase 4” Coronavirus relief legislation.

Patent protection is needed, now more than ever

Post author:Ross Marchand
Post published:April 27, 2020
Post category:Intellectual Property

During desperate times such as these, it’s easy to overlook the unsung heroes of innovation. Strong intellectual property protections have catapulted the United States into the top slot for innovation worldwide, with entrepreneurs resting easy knowing that their lifesaving inventions are safe from copycats.

Profile in Courage: Médecins Sans Frontières aka Doctors Without Borders

Post author:Ross Marchand
Post published:April 24, 2020
Post category:International

Since the start of the Coronavirus crisis, it’s been difficult for taxpayers and patients to place their faith in self-styled “public health organizations.” The World Health Organization (WHO), which receives roughly half a billion dollars each year from U.S. taxpayers, has proven far more willing to coddle dictators and arbitrarily exclude countries than help Coronavirus patients. Fortunately, other international health organizations are heeding the call and working on a shoestring budget to keep the pandemic under control. In particular, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), aka Doctors Without Borders, is running critical healthcare programs in more than seventy countries from the U.S. to Yemen. MSF deserves a Profile in Courage for their outstanding work and serving as a North Star for certain other “public health” organizations that desperately need to clean up their act.

Watchdog Praises FCC for Voting to Open 6 GHz Band for Unlicensed Use

Post author:Taxpayers Protection Alliance
Post published:April 23, 2020
Post category:Press Telecommunications

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) praised the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for unanimously voting to allow unlicensed devices to operate in the 6 GHz spectrum band. According to the FCC, the new rule will, “make 1,200 megahertz of spectrum available for unlicensed use in the 5.925-7.125 GHz (6 GHz) band while ensuring that incumbent licensed services are able to thrive throughout the band.” Under the new framework, unlicensed use of the 1,200 megahertz of spectrum will be permitted for indoor applications at restricted power levels. The FCC will use an automated frequency coordination (AFC) system for indoor and outdoor unlicensed uses of the 5.925-6.425 GHz and 6.525-6.875 GHz sub-bands.

Watchdog Urges Careful Oversight Over New Coronavirus Relief Funds

Post author:Taxpayers Protection Alliance
Post published:April 22, 2020
Post category:Congress Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) urged Congress to maintain close oversight over nearly $500 billion in new spending for small businesses and healthcare facilities. On April 21, the Senate passed compromise legislation including more than $320 billion to replenish the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which ran out of its initially allocated $349 billion in funding on April 16. MarketWatch reports that, in addition to the $320 billion for small businesses, the current deal, “provides $100 billion for health care, split between $75 billion for hospitals, including some set aside for rural ones, and $25 billion for coronavirus testing.” The House of Representatives is expected to take up this legislation on April 23.

Drivers: The Unsung Heroes of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Post author:Taxpayers Protection Alliance
Post published:April 22, 2020
Post category:State Issues

On March 30, President Trump announced that Coronavirus-related “social distancing” was here to stay, including advisories to avoid all non-essential travel. As the number of potential infections in the United States climbs past 600,000, more Americans are willing to limit themselves to their homes.

Trump to Halt US Funding for WHO, Following a Precedent Set by President Carter

Post author:Ross Marchand
Post published:April 21, 2020
Post category:International

Somebody had to say it. Speaking at a press briefing on April 7, President Trump chastised the World Health Organization (WHO) for having “really called, I would say, every aspect of it [the coronavirus] wrong.” Trump went further Tuesday evening, announcing that the US would place a hold on WHO funding over its handling of the novel coronavirus pandemic, according to Axios.

The President Delivers the Truth About the Post Office

Post author:Ross Marchand
Post published:April 20, 2020
Post category:Postal Reform

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) was in financial shambles before the pandemic and the coronavirus certainly hasn’t helped. Now, agency leadership wants an astounding $75 billion from taxpayers to keep the USPS afloat despite a sorry track-record of reckless spending and pricing policies. The agency needs to get a grip on its failing policies, instead of doubling down on debt and deflection.