Articles

Today, the Marketing Research Association (MRA) announces victory in its lobbying and grassroots actions to protect research with health care practitioners in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Department of Health has issued official guidance exempting market research incentives from the application of the state’s new Marketing Code of Conduct for pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers.

Recent regulations passed in Massachusetts will severely hurt research with healthcare practitioners. The Marketing Research Association (MRA) is calling for all members of the research profession in Massachusetts to take action now.

MRA scored several recent victories in the ongoing fight against legislation to require public reporting of survey research incentives for health care practitioners or that ban them outright. MRA recently helped to convince legislators in Maryland and Rhode Island to withdraw their bills and helped to defeat legislation in Mississippi.

The United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma ruled last week in State of Oklahoma v. Tyson Foods that the personal identification of respondents in survey research is confidential information.

The New Mexico State Senate recently defeated a bill which would have required the public reporting of incentives paid to health care professionals for participation in marketing research studies sponsored by pharmaceutical, medical device or medical supply manufacturers.

Today, the Marketing Research Association (MRA) applauded the U.S. Congress for including $1 billion in immediate funding for the decennial Census in the just-approved economic stimulus law. MRA had advocated for the inclusion of this funding in the bill throughout the process and successfully helped fend off attempts in the Senate to eliminate the funds.

Louisiana H.B. 1044 – a bill drafted by CMOR – has passed both the State House and Senate with unanimous approval and awaits the signature of Governor Bobby Jindal (R). The proposed law would combat political persuasion calls (also known as ‘political telemarketing’ or ‘push polls’) while protecting legitimate survey and opinion research (including message testing).

Louisiana Act 810 – legislation drafted by CMOR – which had passed both the State House and Senate with unanimous approval was signed yesterday by Governor Bobby Jindal (R). The law will combat political persuasion calls (also known as ‘political telemarketing’ or ‘push polls’) while protecting legitimate survey and opinion research (including message testing).

What are the federal income tax reporting requirements for incentives offered for participation in research?

CMOR in late February helped defeat Louisiana House Bill 58—legislation that would have severely harmed political survey and opinion research with residents of Louisiana.