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BOSTON (AP) — Financially embattled hospital operator Steward Health Care has struck a deal to sell its nationwide physician network to Optum, a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group, as it works to stabilize its finances. Maura Healey has said state monitors are keeping eye on the nine health care facilities operated by Steward Health Care in Massachusetts, including hospitals in some of the state’s poorer communities. Emails to Steward Health Care and Optum seeking comment were not immediately returned. Democratic U.S. Sen. Edward Markey said for-profit companies that participate in the health care system must understand that their decisions have direct impacts on patients and communities. “After years of gross profiteering and mismanagement, Steward’s latest plan raises more serious questions about the future of the Massachusetts health care system," Warren said in a written statement.

Persons: —, Maura Healey, Optum, David Seltz, ”, ” Seltz, Ronald Mariano, Democratic U.S . Sen, Edward Markey, ” Markey, “, Sen, Elizabeth Warren, Steward’s, Warren, Steward Organizations: BOSTON, Health Care, UnitedHealth, Steward Health Care, Department of Public Health, Steward, Democratic Massachusetts, Democratic U.S ., Health, Education, Labor, Primary Health Locations: Massachusetts, The Dallas, Boston, U.S

In a lawsuit filed late Wednesday in federal court in Washington, D.C., Meta Platforms Inc. said it is challenging “the structurally unconstitutional authority exercised by the FTC” in reopening the privacy agreement. “Meta respectfully requests that this Court declare that certain fundamental aspects of the Commission’s structure violate the U.S. Constitution, and that these violations render unlawful the FTC Proceeding against Meta,” the company says in its complaint. The dispute stems from a 2020 consent agreement Meta made with the FTC that also had the social media giant pay a record $5 billion fine over privacy violations. In May of this year, the FTC said Meta has failed to fully comply with the 2020 settlement and proposed sweeping changes to the agreement that includes barring Meta from making money from data it collects on minors. Political Cartoons View All 1274 ImagesThe FTC had no comment on the lawsuit.

Persons: “ Meta, Meta, Sen, Edward Markey, “, ” Markey Organizations: Facebook, Federal Trade Commission, Washington , D.C, Inc, FTC, Constitution, Meta, U.S, Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, Big Tech, Massachusetts Democrat Locations: Calif, Washington ,, U.S, U.S ., Massachusetts

(AP) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Monday proposed banning the cancer-causing chemical trichloroethylene, which can be found in consumer products including automobile brake cleaners, furniture care and arts and crafts spray coating. “Today, EPA is taking a major step to protect people from exposure to this cancer-causing chemical.”Massachusetts Sen. Edward Markey, who has led the effort to ban TCE, welcomed the move. Political Cartoons View All 1215 Images“With this rule, we can see a future where we will no longer be manufacturing, processing and distributing a chemical known to be deadly,” Markey said. The chemical presents an “unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment” in 52 of 54 uses in industrial and consumer products, the EPA has found. The 2016 law required the EPA to evaluate chemicals and put in place protections against unreasonable risks.

Persons: TCE, Michal Freedhoff, Massachusetts Sen, Edward Markey, ” Markey, “, Anne Anderson, Jimmy, Anne, ” Anderson, Frank, Matthew Daly Organizations: Environmental Protection Agency, of Chemical Safety, “, EPA, Woburn, Andersons, Chemical, Press Locations: WOBURN, Mass, U.S, United States, Massachusetts, Woburn ., America, Woburn, Washington

☆ US senators pressure Treasury to get more aggressive on climate crisis risks
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( Andrea Shalal | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

A bronze seal for the Department of the Treasury is shown at the U.S. Treasury building in Washington, U.S., January 20, 2023.? REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Sept 25 (Reuters) - Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders and four other U.S. senators are pressuring the U.S. Treasury Department to step up oversight and offer more guidance to financial institutions on addressing climate change risks threatening the U.S. financial system. The senators called on Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and newly appointed climate counselor Ethan Zindler, a climate and clean energy research executive, to do more to protect the U.S. economy from what Yellen has described as the "existential threat" posed by climate change. The senators said they were particularly concerned about nonbank financial institutions, which also played a critical role in the 2008 global financial crisis, and said the FSOC should finalize and immediately implement a new analytic risk framework for climate-related financial risks. They also repeated earlier calls for stronger Internal Revenue Service enforcement of rules on political activity by nonprofit organizations, citing efforts by special interests to fuel climate change denial, and investigations into how such funding could be obstructing more action on the climate crisis.

Persons: Kevin Lamarque, Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Warren, Martin Heinrich, Edward Markey, Sheldon Whitehouse, Jeffrey Merkley, Sanders, Janet Yellen, Ethan Zindler, Yellen, Andrea Shalal, Deepa Babington Organizations: Department of, U.S . Treasury, REUTERS, Rights, U.S . Treasury Department, Treasury, Democratic, Reuters, Internal Revenue Service, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, U.S

☆ AT&T, Verizon stocks pare back losses after hitting decades lows on toxic lead cable investigation
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( Krystal Hur | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

That prompted a flurry of downgrades from analysts that in turn helped spur a steep sell-off in telecom stocks. Since the investigation’s publication, AT&T shares have tumbled roughly 14%, Verizon fell 10% and Frontier Communications slid 33%. AT&T shares on Tuesday fell to $13.45, its lowest closing price since 1993. Verizon shares fell 7.5% to $31.46 on Monday to their lowest closing level since 2010 before paring back their losses slightly on Tuesday. Lawmakers have demanded action to further investigate the network of toxic lead cables in the wake of the release.

Persons: JPMorgan Chase, Edward Jones, David Heger, paring, Akin, ” Neil Mack, Democratic Sen, Edward Markey, Jonathan Spalter, ” Markey, USTelecom Organizations: CNN —, Verizon, AT, Bell, Frontier Communications, JPMorgan, CNN, Moody’s Investors Service, Lawmakers, Democratic Locations: United States, U.S

☆ Should public buses be free?
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-08 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

New York CNN —More major cities in the United States are letting public transit riders hop on board for free. Boston is piloting three zero-fare public bus routes, and New York City is expected to test free buses on five lines. Fares made up, on average, 12.5% of transit agencies’ operating expenses in 2021, down from 31.4% in 2019, according to the American Public Transit Association. “By offering free public transport, we are not really attracting car drivers in large volumes,” said Mohamed Mezghani, secretary general of the International Association of Public Transport. “There’s no such thing as free transit,” he added.

Persons: Michelle Wu, “, ”, Lane Turner, Stephanie Lotshaw, American Public Transit Association . Massachusetts Sen, Edward Markey, Ayanna Pressley, Wu, Matt Stone, Henry Bendon, ” Bendon, Fares, Pat Greenhouse, Mohamed Mezghani, Sarah Kaufman, There’s, Boston Mayor Wu, Olivier Douliery, Richard Jarrold, Jarrold Organizations: New, New York CNN, Boston, CNN, Boston Globe, American Public Transit Association . Massachusetts, US, MediaNews, Boston Herald, Getty, Richmond, Agency, American Public Transit Association, Kansas City, International Association of Public Transport, “, Rudin Center, Transportation, New York University, Boston Mayor, Getty Images Washington, Transportation Authority Locations: New York, United States, Kansas City, Raleigh, Richmond, Olympia, Tucson, Alexandria, Virginia, Denver, Boston, New York City, America, Tallinn, Estonia, Dunkirk, France, Luxembourg, Washington ,, AFP, Kansas

☆ Artist Salvatore Del Deo has lived in a Cape Cod dune shack for nearly 80 years. Now at 94-year-old, he faces eviction
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-27 | by ( Eli Masket | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —Salvatore Del Deo is a 94-year-old artist and Korean War Veteran who has made a dune shack in Provincetown, Massachusetts, his part-time home for the past 77 years. Salvatore received an eviction notice from the National Park Service in March. Frenchie's Shack Tatianna Del DeoThe eviction notice came as a shock to the Del Deo family, said Romolo Del Deo, Salvatore’s son. Dune shacks for leaseThe eviction notice came shortly before the National Park Service announced a leasing program for eight other dune shacks. The transfer of the property to the Del Deo family has not been acknowledged by the park service, Romolo said.

Persons: CNN — Salvatore Del Deo, ”, Del Deo’s, Salvatore, Jeanne “ Frenchie ” Chanel, “ Mr, Del Deo, Romolo Del Deo, Salvatore’s, “, ” Romolo, Chanel, Romolo, Ciro, Sal’s, Michela Murphy, Del Deos, Murphy, –, d’état, Frenchie Chanel, Josephine, Del, ” Murphy, “ It’s, Bill Keating, Massachusetts Sen, Edward Markey, Sen, Elizabeth Warren, Salvatore Del Deo, Del Deo Murphy, “ Nobody’s, we’re Organizations: CNN, Korean War Veteran, National Park Service, Mr, Cape, National, Service, Seashore, Provincetown Locations: Provincetown , Massachusetts, Provincetown, Cape, Korea, Massachusetts, Frenchie’s Shack

☆ U.S. lawmakers want to bar automakers from eliminating AM radio in new vehicles
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

WASHINGTON, May 17 (Reuters) - A group of bipartisan U.S. lawmakers introduced legislation Wednesday to bar automakers from eliminating AM broadcast radio in their new vehicles citing safety concerns. Democratic Senator Edward Markey, one of the sponsors of the bill, said at least eight automakers have removed AM broadcast radio from their electric vehicles including Tesla (TSLA.O) BMW (BMWG.DE), Ford (F.N) and Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE). The bill would direct the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to issue regulations to mandate AM radio in new vehicles without additional charge. Lawmakers say losing AM radio undermines a federal system for delivering key public safety information to the public. Reporting by David ShepardsonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Seven US senators raise concerns about Tesla use of forced arbitration clauses
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-08 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Companies Tesla Inc FollowWASHINGTON, May 8 (Reuters) - A group of seven U.S. senators on Monday questioned Tesla Inc's (TSLA.O) use of forced arbitration clauses in employee and consumer contracts, arguing that they prevent bringing discrimination claims and consumer safety complaints to court. Tesla has said it does not tolerate workplace discrimination and takes worker complaints seriously. The senators cited an ongoing National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigation into reports of “phantom braking" in Tesla vehicles. The senators sought answers to detailed questions by June 8 about Tesla's use of forced arbitration. The senators said arbitration clauses may keep"potential safety flaws from the public eye and limited regulatory authorities’ ability to protect Tesla customers and employees and hold Tesla publicly accountable."

☆ US senators blast Treasury's failure to move faster on climate risks
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-10 | by ( Andrea Shalal | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

WASHINGTON, March 9 (Reuters) - Three U.S. senators blasted the Treasury Department on Thursday for its failure to act more swiftly to counter climate risks, and urged Secretary Janet Yellen to appoint a new climate counselor to lead the effort. In a letter to Yellen viewed by Reuters, Democratic Senators Elizabeth Warren, Sheldon Whitehouse and Edward Markey criticized the work done by John Morton, Yellen's first climate counselor. The second Treasury official, who was not authorized to speak publicly, said the independent agencies grouped under FSOC were taking action, but those steps followed prescribed processes. No Treasury climate counselor could speed up that work since the agencies were independent, the official said. They asked Yellen to respond to over a dozen questions on Treasury's efforts to mitigate risks to the U.S. economy posed by accelerating climate change.

☆ US senators blast Treasury's 'lack of progress' on climate risks
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-10 | by ( Andrea Shalal | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

In a letter to Yellen viewed by Reuters, Democratic Senators Elizabeth Warren, Sheldon Whitehouse and Edward Markey criticized the work done by John Morton, Yellen's first climate counselor. "Treasury has been central to delivering on the Biden Administration’s climate agenda," she said, when asked about the senators' letter. In their letter, the senators also faulted Treasury's leadership of climate work by the Financial Stability Oversight Council, which identified climate change as an "emerging and increasing threat to U.S. financial stability" in October 2021. The second Treasury official, who was not authorized to speak publicly, said the independent agencies grouped under FSOC were taking action, but those steps followed prescribed processes. No Treasury climate counselor could speed up that work since the agencies were independent, the official said.

☆ Senators push for airline passenger protections after holiday travel meltdown
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-31 | by ( Leslie Josephs | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Two Senate Democrats on Tuesday reintroduced legislation to strengthen airline passenger protections following a year of travel disruptions that was capped by chaos that stranded thousands of people over the December holidays. The Airline Passengers' Bill of Rights, which is co-sponsored by Sens. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., is planning to hold a hearing on the latest airline disruptions in the coming weeks. The bills also follow a push by the Biden administration for stricter airline passenger rules, including for traveler refunds. Airlines for America, said its members, the largest U.S. carriers, "abide by — and frequently exceed – all DOT regulations regarding consumer protections."

☆ U.S. FAA should bar airlines from reducing leg room -6 Democratic senators
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-01 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Mary F. CalvertWASHINGTON, Nov 1 (Reuters) - Six Democratic U.S senators urged the Federal Aviation Administration on Tuesday to bar airlines from further shrinking the size and leg room of airplane seats. Last month, a U.S. appeals court heard arguments from a flyer advocacy group urging it to order the FAA to set minimum seat dimensions on passenger airplanes. There are no current minimum seat dimensions. Current rules say airlines must be able to evacuate passengers within 90 seconds but do not set seat size requirements. In July 2018 the FAA said it would not regulate seat size.

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