An influential medical standards group plans to present a new model today for helping employers and insurers to identify the best primary care doctors and to steer patients their way.
Sometime after the November election, the National Clearinghouse on Election Administration, a grandly named four-person office in the F.E.C., will publish voluntary, but potentially influential, national standards for the security and accuracy of computerized elections.
Harris has been hailed by a chorus of influential Democratic standard-bearers, ranging from Elizabeth Warren to Kirsten Gillibrand, as "special" and "exactly the kind of leader we need".
The first, in 2010, proved influential in establishing standards for concussion evaluation and treatment, persuading USA Hockey and Hockey Canada to raise the minimum age for body checking to 13 from 11, and broadening concussion education among players, coaches and parents.
"When I was back in Australia and Sonny Bill Williams [the All Black centre] joined the Sydney Roosters for a spell of rugby league, he was so influential in setting standards that the players said to themselves, 'So that's what it means to be a professional'.
It can also be influential in setting standards in the international arena.
Now, though widespread literacy has made written English ever more influential, speech sets the standards.
California is the largest auto market, and is particularly influential because its air standards predated the federal Clean Air Act.
The Commons culture, media and sport select committee called for the proposed changes to be enshrined in law in its influential report on press standards, privacy and libel published in February.
