Our Impact
The work of the National Consumers League is making a difference in people’s lives across the country. Meet some of the consumers touched by our programs.
Read about NCL’s impact
Preventing yet another victim
Paige, 55, a Nashville wife and mother of two, answered an employment ad for secret shoppers. Before sending payment to the scammers, she reached out to NCL.
Read about NCL’s impact
Building a stronger generation
A grease fire flared up in Decklan’s kitchen. As his family scrambled and panicked, fearing that the whole house might erupt in flames, Decklan remained calm. He hurried over to the pantry, grabbed some baking soda, and dumped it on the fire quickly extinguishing the blaze.
Read about NCL’s impact
Script Your Future saved my life
Cincinnati resident Charles, 45, lost his computer business — and health insurance— during a time of economic downturn. A diabetic, Charles was now unable to afford his medication. He stopped taking it which made him seriously ill and put his life at risk.
Read about NCL’s impact
For a safer workplace
Jeremy is a fast-food worker who has been employed at a number of Chipotle restaurants in New York City. When he was just 20 years old, he took part in an NCL research project that revealed that management practices within the fast food chain were putting workers—and food safety for customers—at risk.
Read about NCL’s impact
Featured Content
The 340B drug discount program should be helping patients in need, not boosting pharmacy chain profits
February 23, 2024: The federal 340B drug discount program is a worthy and critical program. Created by Congress in 1992, it mandates that pharmaceutical manufacturers participating in the Medicaid program must offer prescription medicines at discounted rates to community health centers and safety-net hospitals serving low-income and uninsured patients.
Copycat versions of expensive drugs may look the same, but the impact on consumer pocketbooks is far from identical
January 25, 2024: Copycat versions of expensive drugs may look the same, but the impact on consumer pocketbooks is far from identical
It’s time to care about obesity care
March 6, 2024: Every year, the calendar is full of national health observances – special months, weeks and days that raise awareness of serious diseases and health issues. While all are valuable to advance the health of the Americans, Obesity Care Week taking place March 4-8 is especially significant.
The 340B drug discount program should be helping patients in need, not boosting pharmacy chain profits
February 23, 2024: The federal 340B drug discount program is a worthy and critical program. Created by Congress in 1992, it mandates that pharmaceutical manufacturers participating in the Medicaid program must offer prescription medicines at discounted rates to community health centers and safety-net hospitals serving low-income and uninsured patients.
Consumer struggles with Native American healthcare
February 14, 2024: I always thought I would end up in healthcare, but my younger self had always envisioned my work with a much more narrowed focus.
Copycat versions of expensive drugs may look the same, but the impact on consumer pocketbooks is far from identical
January 25, 2024: Copycat versions of expensive drugs may look the same, but the impact on consumer pocketbooks is far from identical
PBMs claim new programs will save consumers money. Let’s take a closer look.
December 8, 2023: Consumers have known for quite some time now that the prescription drug pricing system is essentially a black box.
Congressional briefing: The path forward for a safe cannabis marketplace
November 7, 2023: Cannabis Consumer Watch recently hosted a briefing on Capitol Hill with the goal of educating policymakers and staff on the public health risks that exist in the current cannabis marketplace, and to offer policy solutions that would help protect consumer safety and encourage innovation for patients.
The return of Striketober and why consumers should care
October 10, 2023: The National Consumers League has a long history of fighting for both consumers and workers alike. Founded 124 years ago, NCL’s first major policy accomplishments included the establishment of minimum wage laws and protections around child labor. In support of these goals, much of the League’s early years were centered around consumer boycotts of companies that treated their employees unfairly. Today, NCL’s support of workers’ rights remains just as critical as we find ourselves in another October with truly historic labor action.
This summer, I dipped my toe into electric vehicle land: It was hit or miss
October 9, 2023: This summer I bought a new used 2021 Prius Prime. I wanted to dip my toe into the world of electric vehicles and the Prime provided that opportunity. I call my purchase a “new used” because compared to my 2007 Prius, my Prime feels spanking new. I wanted a Prime because unlike a traditional Prius, it provides an electric charge for up to 25 miles; after the electric is used up, the car reverts to using fuel, albeit a very fuel efficient 62 mpg.
Guest Blog: Standardizing portions could help stem the obesity epidemic
October 2, 2023: The past few decades have seen dramatic changes in the food environment and food behaviors, all resulting in the epidemics of obesity and diet-related chronic diseases. About 72% of American adults are overweight or obese and more than half have diet-related chronic diseases. Our research shows that the food environment actually encourages people to eat impulsively and markets twice as much food as people need to maintain a healthy weight.
Unveiling the flaws in the 340B Drug Pricing Program: Hospitals, medical debt, and consumer struggles
September 18, 2023: In 1992, Congress created the 340B Drug Pricing Program to help ensure vulnerable patients would be able to access medications they need but may not be able to afford. This program provides steeply discounted drugs to health care providers – mostly hospitals – serving low-income patients with the intent that the providers would pass those discounts along to patients. Unfortunately, that is not what is happening. The National Consumers League (NCL) is increasingly concerned about this program, especially as it relates to hospitals’ abusive and aggressive debt collection practices, and how those practices lead to consumer medical debt.