Blog

Phoenix Children’s Hospital Partners with ASU for Virtual Implantation of Artificial Heart

B3 Strategies’ client, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, partnered with Arizona State University to perform the first-ever virtual implantation of the Total Artificial Heart. The team used technology that creates 3-D reconstructions of internal structures in order to virtually screen pediatric patients to ensure a proper fit of the artificial heart. For more information, please read the article by Rosie Gochnour and Joe Kullman in ASU News.

By Emily Rice, ago

Making Headway with the Oral Parity Bill

By Russell Smoldon HB2078, or the Oral Parity Bill, is currently awaiting a vote by the Arizona State Senate. Sponsored by Representative Heather Carter, HB2078 provides equal coverage, deductible, and coinsurance amounts for the same cancer treatment medication whether it is administered orally, self-injected, or administered intravenously by a health care professional. Currently, cancer treatment medication that is self-administered is often covered by prescription drug-benefits rather than medical plans, which would cover more of the Read more…

By Emily Rice, ago

Celebrating S. 1557 and Children’s Hospitals Graduate Medical Education

By Russell Smoldon Last week the President signed S. 1557 – Children’s Hospital Graduate Medical Education Support Reauthorization Act (CHGME) into law after it was successfully passed in the House earlier this month. S. 1557 was passed by the Senate without amendment by unanimous consent in November of 2013. CHGME was originally passed by Congress in 1999 because independent children’s hospitals, like Phoenix Children’s Hospital, were essentially left out of the Medicare GME, creating a Read more…

By Emily Rice, ago

Wildfire Prevention: From West to East

Arizona faces a recurring threat each year as temperatures rise and the threat of wildfires grows. To combat this threat, Arizona is embarking on the largest stewardship contract in the country, the Four Forest Restoration, or 4FRI. As a part of 4FRI, small diameter trees are thinned to reduce the risk of forest fires. However, 4FRI focuses only on the western part of the forests, specifically the Kaibab, Coconino, Apache-Sitgreaves, and Tonto forests. In order Read more…

By danderson, ago

The Oral Parity of Cancer Treatment Drugs

B3 Strategies CEO, Russell Smoldon, discusses a new piece of legislation he is working on at the Arizona Legislature. The legislation centers around fair access to cancer treatment drugs for cancer patients, specifically orally administered drugs. The FACT Coalition is comprised of the Arizona Leukemia Lymphoma Society, the Arizona Cancer Society, doctors groups, nurses groups and hospitals; all uniting to forward technology associated with the oral parity of cancer treatment drugs.

By danderson, ago

Electricity Deregulation Faces Legal Challenges

Regulators revisited the deregulation of electricity recently and concluded that deregulation, or electric competition, continues to face legal challenges from the previous attempt to open electric markets. Consequently, the commissioners pulled the plug on deregulation, closing the docket with a 4-1 vote and cancelling any future meetings. Chairman Bob Stump stated, “the Constitutional impediments are simply too great with regard to electric retail competition in the state.” Proponents of retail competition in Arizona, who may Read more…

By jenningsstrouss, ago

B3 Strategies Government Relations and Public Affairs Firm Launches in Phoenix

PHOENIX, Ariz. (July 22, 2013) – Jennings, Strouss & Salmon announces the formation of B3 Strategies, a full-service government relations and public affairs firm. Positioned as “The Public Policy Architects,” B3 Strategies will provide clients with the development and implementation of public policy strategy at the local, state, and federal levels. “Jennings, Strouss & Salmon has a long and distinguished history of public policy representation,” stated J. Scott Rhodes, the firm’s Managing Attorney. “We are Read more…

By jenningsstrouss, ago

What is B3 Strategies?

Today, B3 Strategies has officially launched and we will be providing lobbying services at the local, state, and federal level. I can’t tell you how excited and eager I am to get to work. Whether it be working with current clients or creating relationships with new clients, I look forward to assisting you with any and all of your complex public policy needs. For those of you who don’t know me, I am Russell Smoldon. Read more…

By danderson, ago

Arizona Lawmakers Change State Tax Code to Benefit Data Centers

Arizona lawmakers recently changed the state’s tax code to allow tax benefits for data centers. These tax benefits will aid in Arizona’s economic development, while simultaneously strengthening Arizona’s existing economy. “This is a huge win for the state of Arizona,” stated Russell Smoldon, CEO of B3 strategies. “With the new tax incentives we will see more and more data centers locating to Arizona, thus boosting our economy.” In order to qualify for the tax benefits, Read more…

By danderson, ago