Government Affairs
MRA’s Government Affairs arm is the ONE authority protecting the opinion and survey research profession now and for the future. MRA’s Government Affairs team advocates for and defends the profession's interests before state and federal legislators and regulators, whenever legislation or regulation might impact research work and the quality of research. The Government Affairs team works on issues of consumer and data privacy, in defense of most every mode and method of research.
MRA also helps educate members of the profession in compliance and best practices for state and federal laws that impact research, assists members in responding to litigation and reviews and files amicus briefs with the courts.
MRA is the only survey and opinion research association advocating for and protecting the research profession. MRA members are constantly updated on all the latest laws and regulations involving opinion and survey research. Members are always encouraged to help protect and promote the whole research profession by volunteering as a grassroots member.
New Massachusetts pharmaceutical law went into effect on July 1st.
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RESEARCH PROFESSION TESTIFIES BEFORE JOINT HOUSE & SENATE COMMITTEE HEARING: DEFENDS MARKETING RESEARCH WITH PHYSICIANS
01.26.10
(St. Paul, MN) Yesterday, the U.S. survey and research profession testified before a joint hearing in the Minnesota House and Senate. The Marketing Research Association’s (MRA) Director of Government Affairs, Howard Fienberg, PLC, defended the use of physician incentives in pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturing.
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New HIPAA Rules go into effect February 17, 2010: Are You Ready?
01.12.10
The HIPAA rules were revamped and dramatically expanded early in 2009 by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (the HITECH Act). New provisions under the HITECH Act require:
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MRA SEARCH COMMITTEE FORMED AS BROWNELL STEPS DOWN FROM CEO POSITION
11.18.09
The U.S. Marketing Research Association (MRA), today, announced the formation of a search committee to seek a replacement for CEO Larry Brownell, who has tendered his resignation effective January 31, 2010. Mr. Brownell reached a decision to return to his Los Angeles home to pursue other opportunities. He will remain in an advisory capacity with MRA during the transition.
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MRA Requests Reconsideration from Maine Legislature: Prohibition on Transfer of Minors’ Data Hurts Both Research and Maine
10.09.09
(Glastonbury, Conn.) The Marketing Research Association requested today that the Joint Standing Committee on Judiciary in Maine exempt survey and opinion research from their data transfer prohibitions. A new Maine law, the Prevent Predatory Marketing Practices against Minors Act, aimed at protecting minors in Maine under 18 years old, prohibits any transfer of their personally identifiable information, for any purpose, regardless of any parental consent.
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“Sorry” Just Won’t Cut It Any More: HIPAA Data Breaches Bring Serious Legal Consequences
09.22.09
New additions to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy and Security rules by the stimulus law earlier this year dramatically alter the legal requirements for research organizations (“business associates”) handling “protected health information” (PHI) for healthcare entities such as hospitals and insurance companies (“covered entities”). While the rules used to only impact business associates in their contracts with covered entities, the stimulus law provisions (known as the HITECH Act) apply those rules directly to business associates, imposing heaps of new liability. We will look at those rules in depth later. For now, let us discuss the regulations coming into effect on September 23 on data security breach notification.
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