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In 2024, Health Savings Account (HSA) assets in the US reached nearly $147 billion, across more than 39 million accounts, a 19% increase in assets and 5% in accounts compared to the previous year.
by Gunnar Larson 08 Apr '25

08 Apr '25

In 2024, Health Savings Account (HSA) <https://www.google.com/search?client=ms-android-charter-us-revc&sca_esv=ede…> assets in the US reached nearly $147 billion, across more than 39 million accounts, a 19% increase in assets and 5% in accounts compared to the previous year. Here's a more detailed breakdown: - *Asset Growth:* - HSA assets grew to nearly $147 billion by the end of 2024, a 19% increase year-over-year. - HSA investment assets increased by 38%, reaching $64 billion by the end of 2024. - *Account Growth:* - The number of HSA accounts increased to more than 39 million, a 5% increase year-over-year. - *HSA Market Projections:* - Devenir projects that the HSA market will exceed 43 million accounts by the end of 2026, holding nearly $175 billion in assets. - *HSA Benefits:* - HSAs are tax-advantaged accounts that can be used to save for qualified medical expenses. - Funds contributed to an HSA are tax-deductible, and any earnings or interest on the assets are tax-free. - Distributions from an HSA can be used to pay for qualified medical expenses, and are tax-free. - HSAs can also be used for retirement planning, as funds can be used for qualified medical expenses in retirement. - *HSA Investment:* - You can invest HSA funds in a variety of mutual funds, stocks, bonds, ETFs, and more. - Any earnings on investments in your HSA are federally tax-free. - You can choose to invest a portion of your HSA funds and keep the rest in a cash account to cover current expenses. - *HSA Providers:* - HSA Bank <https://www.google.com/search?client=ms-android-charter-us-revc&sca_esv=ede…> is a division of Webster Bank, N.A. <https://www.google.com/search?client=ms-android-charter-us-revc&sca_esv=ede…> . - Other providers include Fidelity <https://www.google.com/search?client=ms-android-charter-us-revc&sca_esv=ede…> and Bank of America <https://www.google.com/search?client=ms-android-charter-us-revc&sca_esv=ede…> .

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Bank.org — xNY.io: International Virtual Health Member Mutual Accounts (Savings/Insurance)
by Gunnar Larson 08 Apr '25

08 Apr '25

https://xny.io/bank International Virtual Health Member Mutual Accounts (Savings/Insurance) Bank.org notes that for our clients located in places like Africa, government debt is likely to restrict the ability of future governments to support health care populations, either through private or public services such as primary health or wellness care. The world’s best innovations in virtual healthcare are successful as well-developed private member mutual pioneers. The exciting thing about these private member mutual accounts is the next-level reinvention of healthcare savings accounts. Bank.org owns the international virtual health platform MyDr.co, and upholds the notion that healthcare savings accounts are a wise store of value inside many depressed banking economies. MyDr.co’s founders set out to assess the integrity of the government which plays a critical role in the ongoing governance, legal framework, regulation, policy development and stability of the healthcare income system. Unfortunately, there is very little transparency about the overall costs of running many public systems or the total direct and indirect fees that are charged to participants. Private member mutual accounts have an incentive to be transparent, further allowing members complete and full control of their healthcare records. An essential characteristic of a sound healthcare finance system is that a member who opts into private options sees accrued benefits that are not subject to the financial position of the public healthcare system. For example, one industry virtual health trailblazer, MyDr.co, offers cross-border consultations with doctors throughout Europe and is organized as a private mutual membership model. Each month, MyDr.co’s member dues are deposited inside their healthcare savings accounts. While earning interest, the funds from the savings accounts can be used as necessary throughout a member’s life. MyDr.co’s concept is 100x of the traditional HSA. Further scrutiny highlights the fact that economies of scale matter. That is, it is likely that as MyDr.co will increase in size, a proportion of assets will reduce and some (or all) of these benefits will be passed to our mutual members. With these cross-border private mutual memberships, scales are not pinned down to one country, or even one continent. This sort of efficiency allows for greater return on member health savings accounts, further allowing for the mutual account to offer special exclusive benefits depending on the size of membership. Private virtual health member mutual accounts are desirable in that they provide members with access to an independent body, should any disputes arise for patients navigating the public system. Perhaps more intriguing, private mutual savings accounts create a new lifetime growth asset for members. Public systems are bleeding money to keep their operations afloat. Bank.org recognizes the provision of healthcare savings benefits can represent an individual’s most important financial utility. There is good reason for such a provision to exist in the form of a private sector virtual health mutual account. Mydr.co’s findings are clear. Public options that delve into the exciting world of virtual health never result in savings. Instead, they perpetuate the old-world government budget tailspins into further depths of financial and budgetary jeopardy. Bank.org forecasts that the savings and/or insurance accounts that MyDr.co aims to offer as virtual health member mutual accounts provide administrative savings compared to public health plans. Many individuals will have access to better overall care, and these accounts also provide the overall best return for mutual savings accounts over time. MyDr.co sees an opportunity to add value through a broader range of virtual health access and is actively investing to expand service opportunities in Africa and Australia to extend the platform beyond Europe. Bank.org has thought about the future and notes healthcare savings accounts play a critical role in a multi-pillar asset structure, particularly in providing solutions for financial pressures associated with young populations. These healthcare savings assets are extremely wise, as the savings accounts represent assets set aside to provide future overall life benefits. Bank.org indicators show success in the level of assets set aside to fund growing each month versus the longer terms associated with public fund structures. The longer the period between contributions, the larger the total value of benefits that will be needed, and hence there will be an increased financial strain placed on the overall system. Monthly contributions prove to be a key factor in the ability of the system to pay future benefits. Bank.org aims to offer a voluntary opt-in private member mutual system outside of the government's public system with access to a range of financial and non-financial assets and informal support, such as healthcare and wellness points awarded for healthy behaviors. Ensuring that the accumulated benefits start as early as possible (focusing on students as they enter University) and are preserved over the course of life represents an important design feature for private member mutual arrangements. In addition to these design benefits, the most important contributor to the long-term confidence of virtual health mutual account members is that they receive good value from their membership at reasonable costs. Bank.org feels private health savings accounts are of great economic importance and that MyDr.co can supplement public health schemes and the associated current level of government debt and economic growth in each country.

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Fwd: The Biggest Crypto Security Risks of 2025—Are You Prepared?
by Gunnar Larson 08 Apr '25

08 Apr '25

---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Jesmine DeJesus <jdejesus(a)fireblocks.com> Date: Tue, Apr 8, 2025, 11:35 AM Subject: The Biggest Crypto Security Risks of 2025—Are You Prepared? To: <g(a)xny.io> View in browser <https://emails.fireblocks.com/e3t/Ctc/GC+113/cwJqf04/VWmBqT43TV91W427kHL7yH…> [image: Fireblocks-Logo@2x] Hi Gunnar, The ByBit hack is just the latest example of how attackers are evolving—API exploits, blind signing vulnerabilities, and deepfake-driven fraud are accelerating at an unprecedented pace. Our 2025 crypto security report, The New Frontier of Crypto Security <https://emails.fireblocks.com/e3t/Ctc/GC+113/cwJqf04/VWmBqT43TV91W427kHL7yH…>, breaks down: ✔ The top security risks facing exchanges, institutions, and Web3 businesses ✔ Why traditional security models aren’t built for today’s threats ✔ 7 key strategies to outpace evolving attack methods *Read the full report →* <https://emails.fireblocks.com/e3t/Ctc/GC+113/cwJqf04/VWmBqT43TV91W427kHL7yH…> Want more expert insights? Join Fireblocks VP Security & Trust Products, Shahar Madar, on *March 13th @ 10 AM ET* for a live session on today’s most sophisticated attack methods—and how to stop them. *Register for the webinar* <https://emails.fireblocks.com/e3t/Ctc/GC+113/cwJqf04/VWmBqT43TV91W427kHL7yH…> *The threats are evolving. Your security should, too.* Get the insights now. *Battle-tested digital asset security.* Request a demo <https://emails.fireblocks.com/e3t/Ctc/GC+113/cwJqf04/VWmBqT43TV91W427kHL7yH…>. [image: YouTube] <https://emails.fireblocks.com/e3t/Ctc/GC+113/cwJqf04/VWmBqT43TV91W427kHL7yH…> [image: LinkedIn] <https://emails.fireblocks.com/e3t/Ctc/GC+113/cwJqf04/VWmBqT43TV91W427kHL7yH…> [image: X] <https://emails.fireblocks.com/e3t/Ctc/GC+113/cwJqf04/VWmBqT43TV91W427kHL7yH…> Fireblocks, 441 9th Ave, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10001, United States <https://www.google.com/maps/search/441+9th+Ave,+15th+Floor,+New+York,+NY+10…> Unsubscribe <https://emails.fireblocks.com/hs/preferences-center/en/direct?data=W2nXS-N3…> Manage preferences <https://emails.fireblocks.com/hs/preferences-center/en/page?data=W2nXS-N30h…>

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In other news: Haiti faces a worsening humanitarian crisis as gangs overwhelm security forces, already displacing over 78,500 people since the start of the year, according to Save the Children. [Reuters]
by Gunnar Larson 08 Apr '25

08 Apr '25

In other news U.S. Catholic bishops *ended a century-old refugee resettlement program* after “drastic” funding cuts by the Trump administration, halting services for refugees and undocumented children. [The Washington Post <https://t.devex.com/Njg1LUtCTC03NjUAAAGZtA5w9UdJ0Lhr6VF-NbSJUOvPfApTD6iQmiN…> ] *Haiti faces a worsening humanitarian crisis* as gangs overwhelm security forces, already displacing over 78,500 people since the start of the year, according to Save the Children. [Reuters <https://t.devex.com/Njg1LUtCTC03NjUAAAGZtA5w9jCOxOGPVrzj_2NVNiF7yRdPcu7fx4p…> ] Médecins Sans Frontiéres reported the *first cases of child malnutrition in Greece’s migrant facility*, urging immediate action after finding six Syrian and Afghan children needing urgent care. [Al Jazeera <https://t.devex.com/Njg1LUtCTC03NjUAAAGZtA5w9jIIPod48S00ViSezbMV7wyJh3QqerD…> ]

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AI for all: “Africa stands at a defining moment,” she wrote. “With the world’s youngest and fastest-growing population, we have an opportunity to leverage artificial intelligence for economic growth, job creation, and social progress.”
by Gunnar Larson 08 Apr '25

08 Apr '25

AI for all Ahead of the Global AI Summit on Africa last week, Rose Kimu, a Mastercard Foundation <https://t.devex.com/Njg1LUtCTC03NjUAAAGZtA5w9TyunlbuzQJ4sbHwEtCe0oo2pmtxXL2…> scholar at Carnegie Mellon University Africa, urged leaders to invest in young women <https://t.devex.com/dc/kyXVoDpAY__Vu56MNr4POhclVMjy-fPC1nQx1DZzXLlfdZzubphg…> like herself so that Africa can benefit from the AI revolution. <https://t.devex.com/dc/kyXVoDpAY__Vu56MNr4POhclVMjy-fPC1nQx1DZzXLlfdZzubphg…> “My journey — from an overcrowded public school where I was one of nearly 100 students sharing a single classroom, to conducting advanced AI research at a prestigious university — has given me a unique insight into both the privilege and systemic barriers facing many young Africans,” she wrote in an opinion piece for Devex, *outlining ways to break down those barriers*, from mentorship programs to stronger AI governance. “Africa stands at a defining moment,” she wrote. “With the world’s youngest and fastest-growing population, we have an opportunity to *leverage artificial intelligence for economic growth, job creation, and social progress*.” *Opinion:* Africa's AI future hinges on youth investment <https://t.devex.com/dc/kyXVoDpAY__Vu56MNr4POhclVMjy-fPC1nQx1DZzXLlfdZzubphg…>

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Scaling Gates: The Gates Foundation signed a three-year, $7.5 million partnership to scale artificial intelligence innovations in Rwanda, on the sidelines of the recent Global AI Summit on Africa.
by Gunnar Larson 08 Apr '25

08 Apr '25

Scaling Gates The Gates Foundation <https://t.devex.com/Njg1LUtCTC03NjUAAAGZtA5w9rvGzZWfjZxYZAsfAL6lqKjQsaTMCk9…> signed *a three-year, $7.5 million partnership* to scale artificial intelligence innovations in Rwanda <https://t.devex.com/dc/kyXVoDpAY__Vu56MNr4POn02zDkP1xLplUApRXiM8P9ZqC471jyo…>, on the sidelines of the recent Global AI Summit on Africa. While the injection of money is welcome, *it’s a far cry from what’s needed*, Devex contributor Anthony Langat writes. In the second quarter of 2024, for instance, the continent only attracted $4 million out of the $23.2 billion raised by global AI startups. Still, the Gates investment could just be the beginning. Trevor Mundel, president of global health at the foundation, says *it* *plans* *to sign three other partnerships across the continent* in the next few months to establish hubs in Nigeria, Kenya, and Senegal with the aim of breaking down barriers “to scale and help move promising AI innovation to impact.” *Read:* Gates Foundation to fund AI scaling hubs in Africa <https://t.devex.com/dc/kyXVoDpAY__Vu56MNr4POn02zDkP1xLplUApRXiM8P9ZqC471jyo…>

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Re: xNY.io - Bank.org: Kim Cattrall BAFTA Exclusive Interview
by Gunnar Larson 08 Apr '25

08 Apr '25

Dear Ms. Christina Thomas: It was such a nice opportunity to meet your acquaintance many years ago concerning our exclusive interview with Ms. Kim Cattrall at the Players Club in New York City. - Ms. Thomas, on March 24, 2025 xNY.io - Bank.org efforted to contact Ms. Jane Millichip to re-kindle xNY.io - Bank.org's BAFTA acquaintance after seeing Prince William's red carpet arrival at this year's BAFTAs - However, Ms. Thomas, the e-mail address we had on file for Ms. Millichip "janem(a)bafta.org" bounced back undeliverable. - Ms. Thomas, xNY.io - Bank.org is curious if you had a working e-mail for Ms. Jane Millichip at BAFTA? Ms. Thomas, in other news xNY.io - Bank.org's sense of humor is rambunctious after Prince William's arrival clip at this year's BAFTA red carpet. *Prince of Whales Arrives at BAFTAs:* - https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1EMwv9uqWD/ xNY.io - Bank.org shares the clip below to help build constructive relations with BAFTA. *Donald Trump and Michael Bloomberg Testing Hot Dogs in New York City:* <https://www.instagram.com/reel/DH_3BoYtBlk/?igsh=MXI0MXdyeTVjaW95eg==> <https://www.instagram.com/reel/DH_3BoYtBlk/?igsh=MXI0MXdyeTVjaW95eg==> - <https://www.instagram.com/reel/DH_3BoYtBlk/?igsh=MXI0MXdyeTVjaW95eg==> https://www.instagram.com/reel/DH_3BoYtBlk/?igsh=MXI0MXdyeTVjaW95eg== Thank you, Gunnar Larson -- Gunnar Donald Arthur Peter Larson *xNY.io - Bank.org* 917-580-8053 NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10001 On Mon, Mar 24, 2025, 9:58 AM Gunnar Larson <g(a)xny.io> wrote: > Ms. Thomas: > > Further to the bounce from Jane today; I thought you may find these > headlines helpful to why I am emailing: > > IT Manager Claims FCA Fired Him For Blowing Whistle On FOI > <https://www.law360.co.uk/financial-services-uk/articles/2313977?nl_pk=9aaa8…> > > By Lucia Osborne-Crowley > > A former IT manager told a tribunal on Friday that the financial watchdog > fired him unfairly for sending emails to his personal account, saying he > did this to blow the whistle on the "unlawful administration" of FOI > requests at the regulator. > > Read full article » > <https://www.law360.co.uk/financial-services-uk/articles/2313977?nl_pk=9aaa8…> > | Save to favorites » > <https://www.law360.co.uk/financial-services-uk/articles/2313977?nl_pk=9aaa8…> > > Former BNP Paribas Solicitor Fined Over Offensive Nicknames > <https://www.law360.co.uk/financial-services-uk/articles/2313949?nl_pk=9aaa8…> > > By Ashish Sareen > > A former senior solicitor at BNP Paribas has been fined by a London > tribunal after he used derogatory nicknames such as Jabba the Hutt for work > colleagues and used inappropriate language to describe senior staff. > > Read full article » > <https://www.law360.co.uk/financial-services-uk/articles/2313949?nl_pk=9aaa8…> > | Save to favorites » > <https://www.law360.co.uk/financial-services-uk/articles/2313949?nl_pk=9aaa8…> > > Prospects For New Fraud Prevention Prosecution Look Slim > <https://www.law360.co.uk/financial-services-uk/articles/2309931?nl_pk=9aaa8…> > > With the Labour Party's inherited patchwork of Conservative Party > corporate crime legislation for preventing fraud and corruption, the > forthcoming Economic Crime Act’s failure to prevent fraud offense is > unlikely to be successful in assisting prosecutors bring companies to > justice, says Matthew Cowie at Rahman Ravelli. > > Read full article » > <https://www.law360.co.uk/financial-services-uk/articles/2309931?nl_pk=9aaa8…> > | Save to favorites » > <https://www.law360.co.uk/financial-services-uk/articles/2309931?nl_pk=9aaa8…> > Thank you, > > Gunnar Larson > -- > Gunnar Donald Arthur Peter Larson > > *xNY.io - Bank.org* > 917-580-8053 > NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10001 > > On Mon, Mar 24, 2025, 8:33 AM Gunnar Larson <g(a)xny.io> wrote: > >> Dear Christina: >> >> The message to Jane below bounced back. >> >> Do you have a better email address for Jane other than janem(a)bafta.org? >> >> Thank you, >> >> Gunnar Larson >> >> ---------- Forwarded message --------- >> From: Gunnar Larson <g(a)xny.io> >> Date: Mon, Mar 24, 2025, 8:28 AM >> Subject: xNY.io - Bank.org: Kim Cattrall BAFTA Exclusive Interview; >> Prince of Whales Arrives at BAFTAs >> To: <janem(a)bafta.org> >> Cc: <cthomas10021(a)gmail.com>, cypherpunks <cypherpunks(a)lists.cpunks.org> >> >> >> Dear Ms. Millichip: >> >> My name is Gunnar Larson; I am a co-founder at xNY.io - Bank.org. >> >> I became familiar with BAFTA and its former Chief Executive, Ms. >> Christina Thomas, concerning an exclusive interview I conducted with Ms. >> Kim Cattrall at The Players social club in New York City. >> >> *Kim Cattrall BAFTA Exclusive Interview, New York City: * >> >> - https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AQgDJnXn4/ >> >> Ms. Millichip, xNY.io - Bank.org caught a clip of Prince William arriving >> at the BAFTA Awards in London. >> >> I wanted to re-kindle our relationship with BAFTA. >> >> *Prince of Whales Arrives at BAFTAs:* >> >> - https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1EMwv9uqWD/ >> >> Ms. Millichip, would it be possible for your esteemed office to connect >> xNY.io - Bank.org with the correct BAFTA countrtpart to re-kindle the >> relationship? >> >> Sending you the very best. >> >> Thank you, >> >> Gunnar Larson >> >

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He's got the Pete: On the latter, Marocco appointed himself “acting board chair,” removed the other board members, voted to appoint himself acting president and CEO, and fired Sara Aviel, the previous head of IAF.
by Gunnar Larson 08 Apr '25

08 Apr '25

*He’s got the Pete* One of the reasons Rubio has been dogged by questions over his influence is Peter Marocco, the Trump appointee who was given a great deal of latitude to dissolve USAID <https://t.devex.com/dc/kyXVoDpAY__Vu56MNr4POkrZ218GcgnHX2hd2Dfy8uBxSnJGa6Zz…> . Marocco wasted no time gutting programs — sometimes in dramatic fashion. We’ve documented the confrontations Marocco and his team have had while trying to shut down small organizations <https://t.devex.com/dc/kyXVoDpAY__Vu56MNr4POh8MvbbXKz_hV9zoWoCHt5VXZN-aRO86…> such as the U.S. African Development Foundation, the U.S. Institute of Peace, and the Inter-American Foundation. On the latter, *Marocco appointed himself “acting board chair,”* removed the other board members, voted to appoint himself acting president and CEO, and fired Sara Aviel, the previous head of IAF. He then got rid of everybody save for one employee. But while the demise of IAF seemed like a fait accompli, a federal judge had other plans, temporarily blocking the dismantling of the IAF <https://t.devex.com/dc/kyXVoDpAY__Vu56MNr4POgHnU0AEd8M6o_YcsV5JNkt6SknbB77K…> through a preliminary injunction on Friday. *The ruling reinstates Aviel and voids actions taken by Marocco*, including the termination of IAF’s grants and firing of its staff. *But the ruling is only temporary*, and on Sunday, the Trump administration requested a stay of the court order pending appeal. Aviel, who has served as IAF’s leader since 2022 and is the plaintiff in the case, tells my colleague Sara Jerving that the foundation has a talented team, institutional expertise, and deep relationships with communities. “We’re focused on the future, digging in, and *getting our cost-effective investments back on track* for America.” *Read:* Judge blocks Trump admin's dismantling of Inter-American Foundation <https://t.devex.com/dc/kyXVoDpAY__Vu56MNr4POgHnU0AEd8M6o_YcsV5JNkt6SknbB77K…>

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Cut to the bone: One area that Rubio has consistently said would be (largely) spared is lifesaving aid such as emergency food assistance. But like the man, the picture is nuanced.
by Gunnar Larson 08 Apr '25

08 Apr '25

Cut to the bone One area that Rubio has consistently said would be (largely) spared is lifesaving aid such as emergency food assistance. But like the man, the picture is nuanced. My colleague Ayenat Mersie reviewed the data to assess the implications <https://t.devex.com/dc/kyXVoDpAY__Vu56MNr4POp-u1cosIVwvdPz0UHv7SbtA8tJ3JjWy…> for emergency food aid, nutrition, food systems, and agriculture programming more broadly. The result offers a *snapshot of some of the organizations most affected by the terminations*, grouped into three categories: multilateral institutions, NGOs, and contractors. But given the inconsistencies and gaps in the leaked data <https://t.devex.com/dc/kyXVoDpAY__Vu56MNr4POmNwJzgTCXPikj4urms1unJOKohBbZOO…>, the aim is not to provide an exhaustive accounting, but rather to offer *a look at where the cuts have landed hardest*. For example, programs linked to the Famine Early Warning Systems Network <https://t.devex.com/Njg1LUtCTC03NjUAAAGZtA5w9QSP7P_lLGlreX79OUYO-TN0FFxOZ5H…>, or FEWS NET, appeared on both the terminated and retained lists, making its future unclear. And the World Food Programme <https://t.devex.com/Njg1LUtCTC03NjUAAAGZtA5w9USDDc4j_MXdA8irujPKOOopw5p34dV…> was both among the most impacted by USAID <https://t.devex.com/Njg1LUtCTC03NjUAAAGZtA5w9rayJ1iwOcOzMX0I5rjkPdQbw1gQ_KH…>’s terminations and among those with the most funding preserved — a reflection of its size as one of USAID’s largest implementing partners. *Read:* Which USAID-funded food and agriculture programs were cut? Which remain? <https://t.devex.com/dc/kyXVoDpAY__Vu56MNr4POp-u1cosIVwvdPz0UHv7SbtA8tJ3JjWy…> <https://t.devex.com/Njg1LUtCTC03NjUAAAGZtA5w9SwZ0WzkPnVJNaGt9zD80v397SinSxO…>

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Rubio-x cube: “Foreign aid is the least popular thing government spends money on,” Rubio said during a trip to Guatemala early in his tenure. “I spent a lot of time in my career defending it and explaining it, but it’s harder and harder to do across the board — it really is.”
by Gunnar Larson 08 Apr '25

08 Apr '25

Rubio-x cube <https://t.devex.com/dc/kyXVoDpAY__Vu56MNr4POgeKtaXr5jdkspZpk1htVRwD7flow4nw…> The signs, from an establishment perspective, were good: Republican Sen. Marco Rubio was a safe, stable choice to lead the State Department <https://t.devex.com/Njg1LUtCTC03NjUAAAGZtA5w9a_WiNqR8Gi5JW2zKp8MkWLT3vPL1ld…>. Unlike some of U.S. President Donald Trump’s other Cabinet picks, Rubio was a known quantity. He was so known, in fact, that his nomination sailed through the Senate <https://t.devex.com/dc/kyXVoDpAY__Vu56MNr4POgeKtaXr5jdkspZpk1htVRx3RQKdJ6AB…> by a vote of 99-0. Then, he became virtually unrecognizable to the aid community that once saw him as a fairly dependable ally <https://t.devex.com/dc/kyXVoDpAY__Vu56MNr4POqbGBFcIVugQyV9h9ER72ry7Yus0api3…> . *“Rubio threw in the towel on USAID,”* says one recently terminated humanitarian staffer at the agency. “It’s clear he wasn’t consulted on any of these decisions being made, and he still seems entirely out of the loop with neither the personal nor political will to intervene.” Others take a more nuanced view <https://t.devex.com/dc/kyXVoDpAY__Vu56MNr4POgeKtaXr5jdkspZpk1htVRwD7flow4nw…>, Christine Ro writes for Devex. “Once you’re secretary of state, you serve at the pleasure of the president,” says Doug Anderson, former general counsel of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and now senior director of U.S. government relations at the ONE Campaign <https://t.devex.com/Njg1LUtCTC03NjUAAAGZtA5w9VSVr02nmBRxpVXXWNhZe5PMWjM_JN4…> . “Some of Secretary Rubio's own stated new emphases are very welcome, for example, approaching foreign partners as real partners, rather than presumptuously dictating to them as outsiders what we think their assistance needs are, is a welcome shift in emphasis,” he adds. However, Anderson says, the challenge “has been *reconciling Secretary Rubio's aspirational statements with the fairly disruptive reality* of what's often happening on the ground.” And even though the administration has laid out plans for merging USAID into the State Department <https://t.devex.com/dc/kyXVoDpAY__Vu56MNr4POjbW6rOsZ37Uc-AtgCDeIvf-tQPk7a-w…>, it remains to be seen if the disruption will settle down — or *how much Rubio will take the reins* of the massive transition ahead. For his part, Rubio has been clear that something needed to change. “Foreign aid is the least popular thing government spends money on,” Rubio said during a trip to Guatemala early in his tenure. “I spent a lot of time in my career defending it and explaining it, but it’s harder and harder to do across the board — it really is.” But he added: “The United States is not walking away from foreign aid. It’s not. We’re going to continue to provide foreign aid and to be involved in programs, but it has to be programs that we can defend. It has to be programs that we can explain.” *Read:* What part is Marco Rubio actually playing in USAID's dismantling? <https://t.devex.com/dc/kyXVoDpAY__Vu56MNr4POgeKtaXr5jdkspZpk1htVRwD7flow4nw…>

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