Social Security Administration Commissioner Testifies on Improved Service Amid Criticism The Social Security Administration (SSA) commissioner, Frank Bisignano, is set to appear before the House Ways and Means Committee on June 10 to defend the agency’s recent efforts to address long-standing issues such as staffing shortages and long wait times for customer service. The hearing, which will focus on the SSA’s performance, comes after years of public complaints and internal challenges, including allegations of mismanagement and data errors under previous leadership. Bisignano, who took over the agency in 2021, has emphasized significant improvements in service metrics. In a letter to lawmakers reviewed by The Associated Press, he highlighted a 75% reduction in phone wait times under his leadership and a 50% increase in the number of people served. He also cited fixes to website issues and the expansion of online services to meet public demand. Bisignano argued that the agency is adapting to modern expectations, stating, “We will meet clients where they want to be met,” whether through phone calls, online platforms, or in-person visits with appointments. However, critics argue that these gains are largely the result of temporary measures, such as shifting staff to call centers and reducing workforce size, which may have created new bottlenecks rather than solving systemic staffing problems. The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) union has raised concerns that some field offices remain severely understaffed, listing locations such as Ironwood, Michigan, and Cody, Wyoming, as examples. The union claims these shortages compromise the ability to provide timely in-person assistance.#social_security_administration #american_federation_of_government_employees #house_ways_and_means_committee #frank_bisignano #ironwood_michigan
Hospital CEOs Defend Charging Patients More at Facilities Hospital CEOs faced intense scrutiny at a House hearing on Tuesday as Republicans accused them of overcharging patients and exploiting the healthcare system. The House Ways and Means Committee convened to examine pricing practices, with executives from major hospital systems such as HCA Healthcare, CommonSpirit Health, New York-Presbyterian, and ECU Health testifying to defend their pricing strategies. The CEOs argued that hospitals should be allowed to charge higher prices for services compared to independent practices, citing factors like reimbursement rates and the cost of providing care. The hearing highlighted concerns about facility fees, which are separate from the actual medical services provided. These fees, often inflated, are used to cover operational costs such as staff salaries and equipment. Rep. Jason Smith, R-Mo., chair of the committee, criticized the pricing as “outrageous” and noted that patients are increasingly frustrated with what he called “artificially high” costs. Smith cited examples of hospitals in his state charging significantly more for outpatient procedures than independent surgical centers. For instance, Rep. David Kustoff, R-Tenn., pointed to a case where a hospital outpatient facility charged $1,222 for a colonoscopy, compared to $656 at an independent ambulatory surgical center. Kustoff questioned whether such a 100% fee increase was justified. Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fla., echoed similar concerns, noting that patients in his state pay more at hospital-owned outpatient clinics than at physician-operated facilities. He challenged the necessity of facility fees when there is “no meaningful difference in the care delivered or the quality of the care.#house_ways_and_means_committee #hca_healthcare #commonspirit_health #new_york_presbyterian #ecu_health
US Lawmakers Demand IRS Crack Down on CCP-Linked Nonprofits, Citing New York Networks Connected to Foreign Influence Cases WASHINGTON — Two of the most powerful congressional committees, the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party and the House Ways and Means Committee, have jointly demanded that the Internal Revenue Service and Treasury Department take immediate enforcement action against Chinese Communist Party-linked organizations operating within America’s tax-exempt sector. The demand, outlined in a letter addressed to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and IRS chief Frank Bisignano, calls for a formal briefing by April 22 on steps the agencies are taking to address what the lawmakers describe as a direct threat to American democratic institutions. The letter cites evidence from congressional investigations, Department of Justice prosecutions, and major investigative journalism, including The New York Times’ August 2025 report, which found at least 53 tax-exempt organizations that had endorsed or raised money for political candidates in likely violation of federal rules against political campaign intervention. At least 19 of these groups were found to have clearly violated the prohibition. A nonprofit law professor told the Times that such actions were “totally out of bounds” and a clear breach of the limits Congress has imposed on tax-exempt status. The lawmakers allege that these organizations, including The People’s Forum, BreakThrough News, and Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research, serve as vehicles for CCP-aligned propaganda, domestic political disruption, and a coordinated campaign to sow chaos and division within the United States.#the_new_york_times #treasury_department #internal_revenue_service #house_ways_and_means_committee
House Lawmakers Urge IRS and Treasury to Investigate CCP-Linked Nonprofits Top House lawmakers are pressing Treasury and the IRS to investigate U.S. tax-exempt nonprofits allegedly co-opted by the Chinese Communist Party to interfere in American elections and politics. The focus is on so-called "hometown" organizations, which are formed by immigrants from the same towns or provinces in China to welcome new immigrants, organize parades, and help members maintain social and cultural ties. These groups, now under scrutiny, are accused of being part of a broader CCP strategy to influence U.S. democratic institutions. Recent actions by the FBI have highlighted concerns about these organizations. In a notable case, the FBI raided the offices of the American Changle Association in New York City, alleging it housed an illegal "secret police station" run by China’s Ministry of Public Security. Two individuals were arrested for acting as unregistered foreign agents. One, Chen Jinping of New York, pled guilty to conspiring to act as an illegal agent of the People’s Republic of China. The other’s case is still pending in court. The investigation has drawn attention to the role of these "hometown associations" in the U.S. nonprofit sector. Lawmakers, including House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith and House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party Chairman John Moolenaar, have sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and IRS Commissioner-designate Frank Bisignano. The letter raises "grave concerns" that these groups, linked to the CCP, are exploiting the U.S. nonprofit system to advance Beijing’s interests.#treasury_secretary_scott_bessent #house_ways_and_means_committee #irs_commissioner_designate_frank_bisignano #american_changle_association
