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Utilities React to Confusing Buy America Restrictions

Client Alert | 1 min read | 07.17.13

As a result of recent changes in the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) and how those changes are being implemented by federal and state agencies, utilities are now facing expanded application of two longstanding, but different, Buy America provisions of the Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration on the use of foreign iron, steel, and manufactured goods on relocation agreements with state agencies. Utility industry representatives have objected and requested that DOT clarify the requirements, establish consistent, DOT-wide Buy America provisions, and implement a transition period during which the restrictions would not apply, and CALTRANS, a California state agency, has sought a waiver for a significant project, prompting a spectrum of thoughtful comments.


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Client Alert | 6 min read | 04.29.26

CMS Seeks to Expand Interoperability Requirements to Drug Pre-Authorization (FAQ)

On April 10, 2026, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a proposed rule (2026 CMS Interoperability Standards and Prior Authorization for Drugs, or CMS-0062-P) outlining the agency’s plans to impose new interoperability requirements on payors participating in certain Medicare and Medicaid programs. As described by the agency in a recent press release, the proposed rule “builds on” prior rulemaking by clarifying and enhancing interoperability requirements for payors’ prior authorization processes, specifically those associated with coverage requests for pharmaceutical therapies....