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Longtime Epstein accountant takes questions from House Oversight Committee in probe of late sex offender
Jeffrey Epstein’s longtime accountant is answering questions on Capitol Hill Wednesday as part of the House Oversight Committee’s investigation into the late convicted sex offender.
Kansas City Chiefs, key cities and state officials endorse sports authority ownership of $3B stadium
The Kansas House plans to work quickly on a bill creating a state sports authority to provide oversight of facilities built for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Healthcare Uses Specialized Language. It Needs Specialized AI, Too.
The potential generative AI in healthcare is enormous. They can generate patient education materials or clinical notes in seconds, flag incomplete documentation to keep care on track, or even suggest differential diagnoses . But when generalist models encounter the specialized “dialects” used across medical fields, they can miss critical clinical meaning—even when they read every word correctly. The result can be flawed decisions and eroding clinician trust. Healthcare organizations should treat AI like a supervised trainee: adapt models to clinical specialties, require transparent reasoning, and calibrate automation with human oversight.
Colorado community leaders, residents ask for oversight to mental health transitional living homes
Colorado community leaders, residents ask state for oversight, changes to mental health transitional living homes
Two years since residents pushed back on the opening of two mental health facilities in Northglenn, anxiety and fear remain at the forefront.
Kalshi and Polymarket are skirting laws on sports betting, states say
Online prediction markets allow users to put money on the outcome of almost anything — this weekend’s NBA game between the Warriors and the Thunder, the next supreme leader of Iran, whether the government will confirm the existence of aliens. But those markets have no state oversight and operate even in states that ban gambling. […]
House Oversight Committee subpoenas Attorney General Pam Bondi
Bondi has faced criticism from Democrats, and some Republicans, over the Justice Department’s handling of the Epstein files.
House Oversight panel votes to subpoena AG Pam Bondi in Epstein probe
The Republican-led House Oversight Committee voted to subpoena US Attorney General Pam Bondi for testimony about her role in the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files as part of the committee’s probe into the late convicted sex offender.
3 major takeaways from Noem's first oversight hearing since Minneapolis deaths
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem faced more scrutiny and at least three calls for her resignation on Tuesday from senators on both sides of the aisle.
WATCH: Sen. Tillis calls for Noem's resignation as DHS head at oversight hearing
The Republican senator blasted Noem for her leadership decisions in the immigration enforcement ramp-up in Minneapolis.
WATCH: Kennedy questions Noem about using taxpayer money for ad campaign featuring her prominently
Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., asked Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in an oversight hearing Tuesday how she justifies the use of $220 million to run national TV ads that feature her prominently if she’s concerned with not wasting taxpayers' money.
Trump told 'Gang of Eight' about Iran strike. Who are they?
The 'Gang of Eight' exists under federal law to balance the need for congressional oversight and the need for strict secrecy.
WATCH: Hillary Clinton's full deposition on Jeffrey Epstein ties before House Oversight panel
Videos of former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton answering questions about convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein were released Monday by a House committee investigating the late financier.
House panel releases videos of Clinton depositions in Epstein investigation
Former president Bill Clinton and former secretary of state Hillary Clinton appeared last week before the Republican-led House Oversight Committee.
House Oversight Committee releases video of Clinton depositions on Epstein
The House Oversight Committee has released video footage of the closed-door depositions of Bill and Hillary Clinton that occurred last week in Chappaqua, New York, as part of the panel’s investigation into Jeffrey Epstein.
Oversight demands DOJ answers on foreign funding of agitator groups as Iran, anti-ICE protests continue
House Oversight Committee requests DOJ briefing on foreign funding behind anti-ICE protest groups.
ChatGPT could miss your serious medical emergency, new study suggests
ChatGPT Health study exposes dangerous gaps in AI medical advice, with experts calling for stronger oversight of healthcare chatbots used by millions.
MI politicians react to U.S. strikes on Iran: ‘Risking American lives’
Hours after the U.S. and Israel launched a major attack on Iran, Michigan politicians have begun responding with a mix of praise and calls for Congressional oversight.
Oversight Democrat: Hillary Clinton deposition in Epstein probe a ‘political clown show’
Hillary Clinton derides her Epstein deposition as GOP ‘political theater’
Hillary Clinton appeared before the House Oversight Committee as she began hours of closed-door testimony in front of the Republican-led panel.
Clinton Halts Epstein Deposition After Republican Leaks Photo of Her Testifying
Hillary Clinton, the former secretary of state, had requested a public hearing if she was going to be forced to testify in the House Oversight Committee’s investigation, but the G.O.P. chairman had refused.
Hillary Clinton accuses Oversight Republicans of ‘political theater’ in opening statement - Live Updates
The former secretary of State said Republicans are “fully aware” that she has no knowledge that would assist their investigation into Jeffrey Epstein.
Hillary Clinton faces off with House lawmakers in Epstein probe
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is currently facing off with the House Oversight Committee in a closed-door interview as part of the panel’s investigation into the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
To fight ‘inherent distrust,’ Utah lawmakers say lieutenant governor shouldn’t run elections
Following false claims of election fraud, Utah lawmakers are advancing a proposal to remove election oversight from the lieutenant governor's office.
Hillary Clinton to testify in House Oversight Committee’s Epstein investigation
Deposition will be filmed but take place behind closed doors, with former president Bill Clinton scheduled to answer questions tomorrow
Caring for Denver changes alcohol policy following audit
A city auditor report recently criticized its spending and grant oversight.
Sources: NCAA football committee considering 7-figure fines, head coach suspensions for transfer violations
The NCAA Football Oversight Committee coalesced around several concepts related to the calendar and transfers, including a proposal to impose stiff penalties on schools that accept transfers outside of the portal window.
Dems plot health oversight blitz if they win midterms
Two top targets are the administration's drug pricing deals and its moves to limit vaccine recommendations.
Michigan House committee hears testimony alleging mold, drugs, lack of health care at women’s prison
Lawmakers heard alarming testimony Tuesday detailing years of alleged neglect, toxic mold, illegal drugs, and inadequate health care at Michigan’s only women’s prison, prompting calls for oversight and policy changes.
The Latest: Partial government shutdown over DHS oversight seems poised to drag on
Lawmakers and the White House offered no signs of compromise over the holiday weekend in their battle over oversight of federal immigration officers that has led to a pause in funding for the Department of Homeland Security
US Homeland Security Department’s funding negotiations stall
Democrats have called for a ban on immigration agents wearing masks and are pushing for more oversight of operations.
Partial government shutdown drags on amid immigration oversight battle
A partial government shutdown began Saturday after congressional Democrats and President Donald Trump’s team failed to reach a deal on legislation to fund the department through September.
House Oversight launches probe into Rep. Ilhan Omar’s finances, husband’s business dealings
Fox News chief congressional correspondent Chad Pergram reports as House Oversight launches an investigation into Rep. Ilhan Omar over questions about her finances and her husband’s income.
Louisiana Department of Health targets fraud with new internal watchdog role
The Louisiana Department of Health is creating a Chief Accountability Officer to strengthen oversight, reduce fraud and assess whether programs are working.
How Epstein and Bannon tried to reshape EU politics, hated Merkel
The Epstein files show not only how he abused women and girls while mixing with powerful people, but also how he tried to influence politics in Europe.
OC health agency official placed on leave after criticizing oversight of COVID vendor
Chief compliance officer Kelly Sabet, who accused COVID testing vendor 360 Clinic of double billing the county, is sent home from job.
Oversight chair Comer requests wide range of business documents from Ilhan Omar’s husband
The sharp valuation of two companies owned in part by the lawmaker’s husband, Tim Mynett, has led Trump to suggest Omar has committed fraud.
This Week in Politics: Feb. 2-6
Bill and hillary clinton have agreed to testify before the house oversight committee later this month as part of its investigation into jeffrey epstein. Committ
Medicaid cost, DCF oversight among CT lawmakers’ 2026 priorities
Connecticut legislators have lofty ambitions to tackle major health and human services challenges during the 2026 legislative session.
Clintons will appear for depositions in Epstein probe, staving off contempt vote
House Oversight Chair James Comer has agreed to the dates Bill and Hillary Clinton proposed for depositions in the panel’s Jeffrey Epstein probe, putting an end to the contempt of Congress proceedings that had been moving forward against them.
Dana Walden Adds Oversight of Disney Film Business in New Role as ESPN Remains a Sports Island
As a new CEO takes the Disney reins, TV chief Dana Walden will add oversight of Disney’s film studio operations to her purview, but not ESPN.
Clintons try to reach agreement for Epstein testimony with contempt of Congress vote looming
Rep. James Comer, the chair of the House Oversight Committee, was advancing criminal contempt of Congress charges against both Clintons Monday evening for defying a congressional subpoena when a spokesman for the Clintons, Angel Ureña, suggested they would testify, posting on social media that the pair “will be there.”
Proposed hospital bill could send local tax dollars out of county
An effort to increase collaboration and improve health care has some unintended consequences, including more power with less oversight.
Marshall Health uses remote care to help employees achieve weight loss goals
By pairing medication therapy with consistent, telemedicine-enabled clinical oversight and care management support, the health system's program tackles the behavioral and lifestyle components necessary for success.
James Perkins named interim executive director of Auxiliary and Business Services
Perkins ’92 will provide functional oversight to Auxiliary and Business Services, leading the unit’s operations that support and enhance campus life for students, faculty and staff, alumni, and visitors.
Outside investment in Michigan State sports raises oversight questions
Michigan State University was one of the first universities to announce their intentions to seek "investment capital."
VA readies massive contract for veterans’ private sector health care
VA says the contract will increase oversight and competition in the private sector care it pays for, which now makes up more than 40% of all veterans' care.
This ‘small’ leadership slip is secretly killing morale
A growing body of research suggests that what feels like a “small” management oversight can quietly drain morale—and productivity—across an entire organization, Inc. writes. A new study from Wharton finds that even minor interpersonal slights, such as forgetting to acknowledge an employee’s birthday or overlooking simple gestures of recognition, can trigger measurable declines in engagement. […]
Exclusive: Pelosi privately blasts Democrats for vote to hold Clintons in contempt in Epstein probe
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was disappointed after nearly half of the House Oversight Committee’s Democrats voted Wednesday to hold Bill and Hillary Clinton in contempt of Congress for defying subpoenas in its Jeffrey Epstein investigation. And on Thursday, she let them know it.
Louisiana health secretary's priorities for LDH: 'Zero-waste,' healthy food, 'radical transparency'
Louisiana Health Secretary Bruce Greenstein laid out a sweeping roadmap for the $21B Department of Health, promising tighter oversight, a new focus on nutrition and annual public accountability.
House Panel Votes to Hold Clintons in Contempt in Epstein Inquiry
The votes by the Oversight Committee were bipartisan, though many Democrats said the charges were extreme given Bill and Hillary Clinton’s willingness to answer questions.
House Appropriations Committee releases health funding proposal
The House Appropriations Committee has unveiled proposed outlays for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), including key investments in priorities within the Make America Healthy Again | The House Appropriations Committee has unveiled proposed outlays for the Department of Health and Human Services, including key investments in priorities within the Make America Healthy Again movement and long-discussed pharmacy benefit manager oversight.
North Carolina begins planning for $1B rural health initiative
State officials outline next steps to spending federal funds to improve care in rural communities as lawmakers raise concerns about equity.
Division I Cabinet adopts new transfer windows in several sports
The Division I Cabinet on Wednesday approved changes to the transfer windows in several sports, including men's and women's basketball, men's wrestling, men's ice hockey, and men's and women's track and field. The changes to the notification-of-transfer windows were recommended by the respective sport oversight committees.
Clintons refuse to testify in Congress’ Epstein probe despite contempt threat
Bill and Hillary Clinton refused to appear on Capitol Hill Tuesday to testify in Congress’ Jeffrey Epstein probe in the face of threats from the House Oversight Committee to hold them in contempt.
Clinton fails to show for Epstein deposition, threatened with contempt of Congress
In a letter, the former president said a subpoena issued by the House Oversight Committee was “invalid and legally unenforceable.”
Business briefs, Jan. 12
CMS expands ‘enhanced oversight’ to hospice providers in 2 new states … New rule allows early withdrawal from 401(k) funds without penalty to pay for long-term care … MA options, providers shrinking in 2026
Trump Says U.S. Oversight of Venezuela Could Last For Years
In a wide-ranging interview with The New York Times on Wednesday, President Trump said “only time will tell” when it comes to how long the United States aims to control the country.
Logitech Blames 'Inexcusable Mistake' After Certificate Expiry Breaks macOS Apps
Logitech users on macOS found themselves locked out of their mouse customizations yesterday after the company let a security certificate expire, breaking both its Logi Options+ and G HUB configuration apps. Logitech devices like its MX Master series mice and MX Keys keyboards stopped working properly as a result of the oversight, with users unable to access their custom scrolling setup, button mappings, and gestures.
Logitech caused its mice to freak out by not renewing a certificate
That’s one heck of an oversight.
Tim Walz, Fraud and the Costs of Trifecta Politics
The scandals that ended the Minnesota governor’s bid for a third term reflect the kind of oversight failure that comes with one-party control of government. Above all, voters expect competent administration.
Audit of Minnesota DHS grant programs finds "widespread failures in oversight"
Audit finds widespread problems in DHS oversight of behavioral health grants
It comes as Minnesota is under scrutiny for fraud in social services programs.
Walz steps away as state’s health care problems worsen
Prosecutors have exposed a lack of public program oversight. Why aren't insurers facing consequences for the health care harm they've caused?
Are 8(a) Small Business Preferences in Government Contracting at Risk? Increased Oversight Is Here
The Small Business Administration (SBA) has recently increased its oversight and enforcement of its 8(a) Business Development Program, including a program-wide audit requiring participating firms...
House Oversight Committee widens scope on Somali-led health contractor
Gateway Community Financial denies wrongdoing despite having its Medicaid payments from a Maine state agency shut off
AI supercharges scientific output while quality slips
AI writing tools are supercharging scientific productivity, with researchers posting up to 50% more papers after adopting them. The biggest beneficiaries are scientists who don’t speak English as a first language, potentially shifting global centers of research power. But there’s a downside: many AI-polished papers fail to deliver real scientific value. This growing gap between slick writing and meaningful results is complicating peer review, funding decisions, and research oversight.
Maine suspends payments to Portland health care provider accused of fraud
The U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is also seeking financial information about Gateway Community Services as part of its investigation into suspected fraud in Minnesota.
Health Ministry tightens oversight as demand for sperm donations surges
Health Ministry updates sperm bank rules as demand rises and fewer people donate, capping families per donor at 12, tightening genetic screening, and new import standards to improve safe donations.
Frustrations mount among survivors about House Democrats’ selective releases of Epstein files and photos
A number of Jeffrey Epstein survivors voiced their concern in a private meeting with female Democratic lawmakers earlier this week about the intermittent disclosure of Epstein-related documents and photos by Democrats on the House Oversight Committee, sharing that the selective publication of materials was distressing, four sources familiar with the call told CNN.
More photos from Epstein’s estate released by House Democrats as deadline to release DOJ files looms
Democrats on the House Oversight Committee released photos from Jeffrey Epstein’s estate Thursday — the latest in a series of intermittent disclosures that have fueled significant political intrigue in recent weeks about who may have been associated with the convicted sex offender.
'There is no accountability.' Lawmakers, advocates call for more oversight of prison health care
A Sun-Times investigation found the state's new prison health care provider comes with a disturbing track record.
Judge blocks ICE policy restricting congressional oversight visits
A federal judge on Wednesday temporarily blocked US Immigration and Customs Enforcement from enforcing new rules limiting congressional oversight visits, finding that Democratic lawmakers are likely to succeed in their claim that the policy violates federal law governing congressional access to detention facilities.
Bill and Hillary Clinton’s Stance on Epstein Testimony Dec. 10
Bill and Hillary Clinton’s lawyer writes a letter on Dec. 10 to the House Oversight Committee opposing their live testimony regarding the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.
New Epstein photos released showing Bill Gates, Richard Branson, Donald Trump, and more
Democrats on the House Oversight Committee on Friday released never-before-seen images from the estate of late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein
Democrats Release New Epstein Photos Documenting Ties to Trump, Clinton and Others
The images, released without context by Democrats on the Oversight Committee, reveal little new about the deceased sex offender’s ties to prominent men in politics, entertainment and finance.
Powerful men in politics and media shown in new Epstein estate images
Newly released photographs from Jeffrey Epstein's estate do not reveal wrongdoing, but do show Epstein in the company of powerful men from the worlds of politics, business and entertainment.
New photos from Epstein’s personal collection show Trump, Clinton and much more
The undated photographs are from Epstein’s email account and computer, according to Democrats on the House Oversight Committee, who published the photographs on Friday.
New photos released from Epstein’s estate showing Trump, Bannon, Bill Clinton and other high-profile people
Democrats on the House Oversight Committee have released photos from Jeffrey Epstein’s estate Friday showing the many powerful figures in the late sex trafficker’s orbit, including President Donald Trump, former President Bill Clinton, Bill Gates, Richard Branson and others.
How Investors May Respond To Elevance Health (ELV) Expanding AI Assistant Access And Adding Schulman To Board
Elevance Health recently expanded access to its AI-powered Virtual Assistant for about 22 million commercial members and announced that Amy Schulman, a senior healthcare executive and governance expert, will join its board and sit on the Audit and Finance Committees in January 2026. Together, these moves highlight Elevance Health’s push to blend digital-first member support with strengthened board oversight in healthcare innovation and regulatory strategy. We’ll now examine how the broader...
12 Days of Regulatory Insights: Day 6 – Sports Wagering, Player Proposition Bets, and Prediction Market Battles
In this episode of our special 12 Days of Regulatory Insights podcast series, Stephen Piepgrass is joined by Cole White from our RISE Practice Group's
Mental health needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities can't be ignored
William Skipworth’s three-part investigation in the New Hampshire Bulletin has laid bare the ongoing traumas experienced by people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The community’s response has been swift — shock, grief, and a collective demand for action to prevent future harm. As the dust settles, pressing questions are emerging about oversight and accountability: Which […]
The New WHO Pandemic Treaty and Global Health Governance: Incorporating Common but Differentiated Responsibilities into PABS - Georgetown Journal of International Affairs
On May 20, 2025, the World Health Assembly unanimously adopted the World Health Organization (WHO) Pandemic Agreement, an international treaty designed to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response. The product of three years of arduous negotiations, the treaty marks a new era of global cooperation in public health. However, core aspects of the agreement remain unresolved—notably the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) System, which is intended to ensure equitable access to pandemic-related materials and benefits. To support the successful implementation of the WHO Pandemic Agreement, the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities” should be formally incorporated into the negotiating agenda of the PABS annex. Introduction For the first time, an international treaty has enshrined the principle of “One Health,” the compelling idea that the health of animals, humans, and the environment all contribute to pandemic risks. SARS (2003), H1N1 (2009–10), Ebola (2014–16), and COVID-19 all emerged through zoonotic spillover from animal hosts—respectively, civets, hogs, and bats. Together, they underscore the need for a coordinated, cross-sectoral approach. The Pandemic Agreement responds to this call, requiring state parties to acknowledge the ecological interplay and commit to a comprehensive “One Health” strategy. Specifically, Article 5 charges governments to address “the drivers of pandemics and the emergence and re-emergence of infectious disease at the human-animal-environment interface,” including wild animal markets, deforestation, and antibiotic overuse. Yet the effectiveness of this “One Health” vision depends equally on the free flow of scientific information and data among countries and institutions. Just as environmental and animal health factors have been neglected in past global frameworks, so too has data sharing been marginalized, despite its centrality to timely detection and response. The Pandemic Agreement takes an important step by requiring governments to enhance data collection and cooperate with the World Health Organization (WHO). However, these provisions will remain aspirational without a robust Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) annex. The PABS system will determine whether countries and researchers can rapidly exchange pathogen samples and genetic data while ensuring equitable access to resulting research and development, including diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines. Without such mechanisms, the treaty’s promise to operationalize “One Health” and strengthen global preparedness will risk becoming largely symbolic, echoing earlier failures to translate shared principles into coordinated action. Equity Concerns When the 2025 Health Assembly adopted the Pandemic Agreement, it left the difficult question of access to pathogens and the sharing of resulting benefits to be addressed in a separate agreement. Negotiations on this separate agreement, PABS, are now underway in Geneva. Yet governments remain divided over fundamental questions of equity between the countries that primarily contribute to the system and those that primarily draw from it—and consequently benefit. For example, wildlife in countries bordering the equator is likely to produce PABS materials, but companies in Europe are likely to use them to develop lucrative products. The most likely contributor countries are likely to be those biodiverse countries around the equator, such as Brazil, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Indonesia, where the number of human-mammalian viral host interactions is large. Conversely, countries most likely to benefit from this material are those with the technology, investors, and infrastructure to capitalize on genomic data, such as the United States, EU member states, and Japan. This imbalance reflects a broader pattern seen in prior international frameworks. Now, as in the past, the wealthiest countries in the world (a useful heuristic is membership of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)) disproportionately benefit from systems in which pathogens and genomic sequencing data are contributed to a common source. Under the International Agreement on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (the “Plant Treaty” or “Seed Treaty”) and the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework, companies from Europe and North America disproportionately withdraw biological samples and data for development into lucrative medical products. Their governments and companies have both statutory and contractual claims to the products that those companies correspondingly produce. PABS appears poised to follow the same pattern. The text calls for strong language on access to pathogens and associated data, but the corresponding benefits that should flow to poorer countries are couched in equivocal or non-binding language. Common but Differentiated Responsibilities To address these inequities, the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities” should be formally incorporated into the negotiating agenda of the PABS annex. Common but differentiated responsibilities are often a feature of climate change negotiations. The basic principle is that, even though all countries should reduce carbon emissions, governments that became rich and powerful through massive carbon emissions (e.g., France, the United Kingdom, the United States) should have a greater obligation to address the resulting crises. Applied to PABS, it would require that governments hosting and supporting companies developing lucrative products carry greater obligations toward the cost of running the PABS system; share benefits or final medical products; and transfer technology to help countries worldwide develop their own capacities to innovate and manufacture vaccines during an emergency. For example, an annex could mandate that any company based in an OECD country that withdraws PABS material would be obligated to donate the resulting diagnostics, therapeutics, or vaccines to the WHO during a public health emergency or pandemic. Questions remain about how robust those donations would be, but the principle is that they should deliver highly significant lifesaving benefits to be equitably shared. Theoretically, this approach mirrors the PIP Framework, in which companies withdrawing influenza samples are required to pay half of the operating costs. In practice, however, the framework has fallen short. The PIP Framework Secretariat has struggled to secure payments from companies, with companies often disagreeing over how much is owed. Additionally, without another pandemic influenza to test the strength of the agreement during a public health emergency, corporate compliance with sharing mechanisms remains unknown. Even if these limitations did not characterize the PIP Framework, partially paying for operating expenses does not address the inequity in access to genetic data and pathogen samples that left less developed countries last in line for COVID-19 vaccines (and, before them, H1N1). Common but differentiated responsibilities would go further, addressing governments’ legitimate grievances regarding information sharing. It would make withdrawals of PABS material and resulting products more transparent, building trust across the board. Enforcement and Enduring Success A key implication of this approach is that the governing mechanism of the PABS must have real enforcement authority. The WHO Pandemic Agreement delegates its core governance responsibilities to a Conference of the Parties (COP)—a governing body composed of one representative from each participating government, similar to those established under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. The proposed WHO Pandemic Agreement COP is charged with oversight functions but ultimately possesses no real authority to compel a government to take any action it does not wish to take. The text does not give the COP the ability to, for example, sanction a party that does not comply with either textual obligations or PABS provisions. In other words, there are no effective mechanisms in place to ensure compliance. Perhaps just as significant, establishing a meaningful enforcement mechanism within the PABS system would strengthen the WHO’s credibility and its ability to ensure compliance across global health governance. By setting a precedent for accountability, such a mechanism could enhance the organization’s authority not only within the Pandemic Agreement but also in enforcing the revised International Health Regulations and other frameworks for public health emergencies. Conclusion The PABS annex can—and should—be different. It should establish clear responsibilities for funding as well as for sharing the diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines that result from contributions to the system. The system, in turn, must include a dedicated body empowered to hold governments and the corporations they sponsor accountable for their responsibilities before, during, and after pandemics. Doing so would restore trust in the broader agreement, which was eroded as commitments were repeatedly diluted while parties scrambled to meet their own self-imposed deadlines during the Pandemic Agreement negotiations. A robust PABS Annex would cement a grand social bargain. Wealthier countries and their corporations would gain unimpeded access to scientific information essential for developing and manufacturing lifesaving medical products. As such, they would stand to gain considerable economic benefit. Yet that privilege must be matched with responsibility. The grand bargain must include not only the right to innovate, but also the duty to ensure that innovation serves all. As medical products are developed and produced through collective contributions, every person must have equal access. All human beings deserve an equitable chance to survive—to save their own life, the lives of their families, and the well-being of their communities. … Sam Halabi, JD, MPhil, is the Bette Jacobs Endowed Professor at Georgetown University’s School of Health and the Director of the Center for Transformational Health Law at Georgetown Law. He serves as the co-lead for the WHO’s Working Group on Regulatory Consideration on AI and Health’s training workstream. He earned his JD from Harvard, his MPhil from Oxford, and undergraduate degrees from Kansas State University. Lawrence Gostin, LLD (Hon.), JD, BA, is University Distinguished Professor and Founding Director and Timothy and Linda O’Neill Professor of the O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law. He is the author of Global Health Security: A Blueprint for the Future (Harvard University Press, 2021); Global Health Law (Harvard University Press, 2014); Public Health Law: Power, Duty, Restraint (University of California Press, 3rd ed., 2016); Public Health Law and Ethics: A Reader (University of California Press, 3rd ed., 2018); Law and the Health System (Foundation Press, 2014); Principles of Mental Health Law & Practice (Oxford University Press, 2010). He also directs the WHO Collaborating Center at Georgetown University. Image Credit: United States Mission Geneva, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Congress to require greater oversight of military health restructuring
The proposed defense authorization bill calls for more eyes on proposed modifications to military treatment facilities.
Louisville business crowd hears Kentucky Republicans talk 2026 legislative priorities
Republicans in the Kentucky legislature say Medicaid oversight, the state income tax and housing are key issues heading into the 2026 legislative session.
Andy Kim Battles His Own Party in Fight Against Corruption
The US senator is pushing back against New Jersey Democrats' efforts to undermine government oversight.
States Tighten Oversight of Private Equity in Health Care
Private equity’s footprint in health care has expanded rapidly over the past decade, and in response states have begun to retool long‑standing doctrines
Does Congress see war crimes in Venezuela?
Amid reports Pete Hegseth ordered a second strike on a Venezuelan boat, NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with Virginia Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine about how Congress is handling oversight of the Pentagon.
USA Gymnastics and Olympic sports watchdog failed to stop coach’s sexual abuse, lawsuits allege
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Two gymnasts who say they were sexually abused at an elite academy in Iowa filed lawsuits Monday against the sport’s oversight bodies, alleging they failed to stop Sean Gardner…
Lawmakers from both parties voice concerns over follow-up strike on alleged drug boat
Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle voiced serious concerns over the weekend over reports on a follow-up strike that killed survivors on an alleged drug vessel in the Caribbean, as the Senate and House armed services panels pledged to conduct “vigorous oversight.”
The Glass Wall: Google’s Enterprise Protocols Are Erasing the Line Between Personal Texts and Corporate Oversight
Google’s latest Workspace updates grant employers new powers to archive and audit text messages on managed Android devices. This shift, driven by SEC compliance and data loss prevention needs, challenges the BYOD model and raises significant privacy concerns, forcing a reevaluation of the boundary between personal privacy and corporate security.
Big tech's big spending in politics
Humanity has never seen anything like artificial intelligence. This new transformation technology is already changing the economy, And as Big Tech pushes for Super AI there are many calling for government oversight, regulation and protections for workers and the environment. But Big Tech is also spending big on politics to lobby so that its growth will remain unchecked.