Guest Blog: Lives on the Line: Dialysis Patients Fight for Innovative Medicine

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By Katie Riley, Vice President of Communications, Alliance for Aging Research

For many older Americans with kidney failure, life isn’t just about surviving the next dialysis session, it is about protecting their hearts, keeping their transplant hope alive, and preserving dignity and independence.

When kidneys stop working and patients rely on dialysis, phosphorus levels build up. That small-but-dangerous imbalance massively raises the risk of cardiovascular events and can threaten someone’s eligibility for a transplant.

Enter a lifesaving tool: oral Phosphate Lowering Therapies (PLTs). These medications help keep phosphorus under control and are especially important for older adults, including those on fixed incomes or using nursing-home care. But a federal policy change at the start of 2025 cut off easy access. Under the new rule, oral-only PLTs were moved into the ESRD payment bundle meaning many patients outside dialysis centers or in nursing homes have to jump through hoops to get access to them.

That policy shift is more than inconvenient…it’s harmful. Reports reveal that aging dialysis patients in nursing homes are being denied coverage altogether, resulting in higher phosphorus levels, greater risk of heart problems, and shrinking transplant chances.

Patients across the country have been impacted by the bundle and are sharing their concerns with policymakers and the public. Here are a few of their stories:

CKD care is not always straightforward, and encompassing every patient into a single fixed-payment bundle system takes away the key patient and provider relationship, where decisions are made to save lives, not time.

Ensuring that older adults can get the treatments they need to manage chronic conditions like kidney failure demands action.

The solution to this problem is simple. Medicare must reverse the decision to include oral-only Phosphate Lowering Therapies into the ESRD Bundle and restore coverage access to Medicare Part D. This change would immediately expand treatment options, reduce avoidable harm, and help keep thousands of older Americans eligible for transplant.

But the call for action is not just coming from advocates or clinicians, it is coming directly from patients. Their experiences are clear, consistent, and urgent. They are telling us what is at stake: their health, their independence, and their chance at a better life. Policymakers must listen.

Seniors and kidney patients deserve policies shaped by the realities they live every day not by technical payment decisions that ignore those realities. We urge the administration to return to a patient-centered Medicare approach that respects individual needs and ensures that older adults can age with health, dignity, and hope.

Consumer Group Applauds FDA’s Action to Update Hormone Replacement Therapy Warnings 

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Media Contact: Lisa McDonald, Vice President of Communications, 202-207-2829  

Washington, DC — The National Consumers League (NCL)’ s CEO attended the FDA announcement today that the agency will no longer require the “black box warning” on local estrogen products.  NCL applauds the decision, which follows science and removes warnings that don’t follow the medical data for menopausal women and related conditions.  

“For too long, outdated and misleading warnings have discouraged women from using very safe and effective local estrogen medications to relieve the often-debilitating symptoms of menopause,” said Sally Greenberg, CEO of the National Consumers League. “We have been asking for the removal of the black box warning for decades. The FDA’s action reflects current evidence and acknowledges the important role these local estrogen therapies can play in improving women’s health and quality of life.”   

NCL is particularly pleased to see the removal of boxed warnings for local vaginal estrogen products — a step that will expand options for managing menopause-related conditions. At the same time, we urge consumers to be vigilant, seek the advice of their health care providers and look for transparency to ensure that they receive clear, evidence-based information about all treatment risks and benefits.  

“Women deserve science-driven policies and access to care that reflects the best available research. The Administration listened to female patients, their doctors, providers, and women’s health researchers and for that we are grateful,” Greenberg concluded. 

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About the National Consumers League (NCL)      

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.   

The National Consumers League Applauds the Trump Administration For Lowering the Price of GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs

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Media Contact: Lisa McDonald, Vice President of Communications, 202-207-2829  

Washington, DC – On behalf of the estimated 100,000 million US adults with obesity, many of whom are seeking treatment with FDA-approved anti-obesity medicines, the National Consumers League (NCL) applauds the Trump Administration for negotiating lower prices for the popular GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) weight loss drugs, Wegovy© (semaglutide) and Zepbound© (tirzepatide), so these medicines are more accessible to those needing quality obesity care.

According to an agreement the White House reached with the manufacturers of Wegovy and Zepbound, as of mid-2026, the Medicare program will purchase injectable semaglutide and tirzepatide – and later the pill forms when approved by the FDA — at $149 per month for the lowest dose and $245 per month for larger doses. This means that Medicare will be able to cover GLP-1 weight loss drugs for the first time, with Medicare beneficiaries responsible for co-pay of just $50 per month. Moreover, state Medicaid programs will benefit from these discounts, thereby allowing more people with obesity to receive quality obesity care in the country.

Also of note, starting in January 2026, Americans not eligible for Medicare or Medicaid will be able to buy Wegovy and Zepbound directly from the government website, Trumprx.gov, for $350 or less per month. This represents a significant discount from the price the manufacturers currently offer to consumers through their direct-to-consumer online pharmacy programs.

Collectively, the actions by the Administration will improve the lives of millions of Americans with obesity, who for too long, have been denied access to medicines that are clinically effective in achieving significant weight loss.

However, NCL joins with other members of the obesity community in calling on Congress to pass the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (TROA) this year. By enacting this legislation, Congress will ensure that Medicare beneficiaries have coverage for GLP-1 drugs. At the same time, TROA will expand access to intensive behavioral therapy (IBT) in more clinical settings, allowing more adult Americans to receive counseling that promotes sustained weight loss through high intensity interventions on diet and exercise.

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About the National Consumers League (NCL)       

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.   

NCL Urges FDA to Reject Misleading Petition on Acetaminophen Labeling

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Warns against politicizing drug safety decisions and spreading misinformation to pregnant women 

Media Contact: Lisa McDonald, Vice President of Communications, 202-207-2829 

Washington, DC – The National Consumers League (NCL) has submitted comments urging the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reject a petition from the Informed Consent Action Network (ICAN) that calls for new warnings on over-the-counter acetaminophen products. NCL warns that ICAN’s proposed labeling changes are not supported by credible science and could needlessly alarm pregnant women. 

“Decades of high-quality research show no causal link between acetaminophen use in pregnancy and neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism,” said NCL CEO Sally Greenberg. “The science is clear: acetaminophen remains the safest and most effective option for managing fever or pain during pregnancy. Overstating unproven risks will only confuse and endanger women and their babies.” 

“Inserting politically motivated warnings into drug labeling would erode public trust in the FDA and risk discouraging appropriate treatment for pregnant women, potentially leading to greater harm,” Greenberg added. “Pregnant women deserve clear, evidence-based information to protect their health and their children’s health.”  

NCL notes that medical experts, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, and the American Academy of Pediatrics, have all reaffirmed acetaminophen’s safety when used as directed. In addition, FDA’s own notice to physicians issued in September states that “a causal relationship has not been established.” 

NCL’s full comments are available here. 

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About the National Consumers League (NCL)      

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.   

NCL Responds to FDA Action on Fluoride Supplements: Access Still in Question

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Media Contact: Lisa McDonald, Vice President of Communications, 202-207-2829  

Washington, DC – Last week, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced actions to restrict the sale of unapproved ingestible fluoride prescription drug products for children. The agency has notified four companies of its intent to take enforcement action against those marketing unapproved fluoride-containing drugs labeled for use in children under age three or for older children at low or moderate risk for tooth decay.  

“Fluoride remains one of the most effective and affordable tools we have to protect children’s teeth,” said NCL CEO Sally Greenberg. “While we are relieved that this is not a ban on fluoride supplements, the FDA’s actions highlight an ongoing concern about access to safe and effective fluoride sources for children. Millions of families, especially those without access to fluoridated water, depend on fluoride supplements prescribed by their healthcare providers to prevent painful and costly cavities.  There is scant evidence that fluoride supplements harm children, as the FDA alleges. I myself took them when I was pregnant, and he took them as an infant, and millions of other children enjoy great dental health with no neurological effects.”  

“Preventing cavities is always better than treating them. Without prevention, families face unaffordable dental bills, and children face serious long-term health consequences,” Greenberg concluded. “It is imperative not to deprive children without access to fluoridated water of other safe sources of fluoride.”  

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About the National Consumers League (NCL)       

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.   

National Consumers League Statement on Senate HELP Committee Hearing

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The 340B program has become a billion-dollar cash cow

Media Contact: Lisa McDonald, Vice President of Communications, 202-207-2829

Washington, DC – Today, the Senate HELP Committee will hold a hearing on the 340B program, marking an important milestone in the conversation around reforming the program so it serves vulnerable patients – as it was intended to.

“The 340B program has become a billion-dollar cash cow, straying from its original mission and lining the pockets of big hospital businesses instead of helping patients,” said Sally Greenberg, CEO of National Consumers League. “We are hopeful that this hearing will finally push Congress to act. Not to put an end to 340B, but to reform it such that the program can once again serve its purpose.”

For years, the 340B program has grown unchecked, enriching large hospital systems and pharmacy chains while patients continue to face high drug costs and limited access to care. The program’s intent was simple: help safety-net providers stretch resources to reach underserved patients. But increasingly, discounts never reach those who need them most.

Now is the time for action. The National Consumers League urges Congress to use this moment to bring transparency, accountability, and patient-centered reform to 340B.

Read our comments here.

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About the National Consumers League (NCL)        

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.    

Separating Fact from Fear About Tylenol Use in Pregnancy

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By Lisa Bercu, NCL’s Senior Director of Health Policy

I remember like it was yesterday when I found out I was pregnant with each of my kids, now seven and ten years old.  I felt a mix of joy, excitement, and worry all at once.  But more than anything, I felt protective, thinking about how to keep them safe and give them the best start in life. As President Obama remarked, “To have a child is to have your heart walking around outside your body,” which I think perfectly sums up the realities of being a parent.  

That’s why I was so concerned when President Trump made unsupported claims that acetaminophen (commonly known by the brand name Tylenol) may cause autism when used in pregnancy, and that young children shouldn’t take acetaminophen for “virtually any reason.”  Moms deserve clear, science-based information, and not fear or guilt.   We need to feel confident making decisions that protect our health and our children’s health.   

Here’s what we know so far: research has not proven that taking acetaminophen during pregnancy causes autism. Most of the studies that have looked at this question have not shown a clear cause-and-effect link. The two best studies we have so far, published in 2021 and 2024, give doctors and parents the most reliable evidence to date that acetaminophen is safe to use in pregnancy when needed.  

 What we also know is that autism doesn’t have a single cause and is due to many different factors, including genetics and environment. In addition, the rise in autism is due to increased awareness and the medical community better recognizing and diagnosing it.  

It’s also important to know that untreated illness in pregnancy can be dangerous.  Untreated fever, particularly in the first trimester, increases the risk of miscarriage, birth defects, and premature birth, and untreated pain can lead to maternal depression, anxiety, and high blood pressure.   

Medical experts, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, and the American Academy of Pediatrics, have all reaffirmed that acetaminophen is safe when taken as needed, in moderation, and after consultation with a doctor.  In addition, leading autism organizations, including the Autism Science Foundation and Autism Speaks, agree that acetaminophen use in pregnancy has not been proven to cause autism.    

Pregnancy is not easy.  While President Trump implies that moms should just “tough it out” when they’re not feeling well, that’s not how real life works. Many of us are still trying to do it all while pregnant – working, managing households, and running after older kids. Illness doesn’t politely wait until after delivery and ignoring it isn’t always safe.  

Women need options to treat pain and fever during pregnancy.  Unlike ibuprofen, which carries known risks later in pregnancy, acetaminophen has been trusted for decades as the best over-the-counter choice for managing fever or pain while pregnant.    

If you have any concerns about taking medications during pregnancy, it’s always a good idea to talk with your doctor. You can also check out MotherToBaby.org, which has reliable, evidence-based information on medications like acetaminophen, and you can even call or chat with trained specialists to get answers to your specific questions.                                   

At the end of the day, we all want the same thing: healthy moms and healthy kids. The best way to get there is to rely on up-to-date and high-quality evidence and to have open conversations with your doctors.  

National Consumers League Calls Out Flawed Science in MAHA Second Health Report

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Media Contact: Lisa McDonald, Vice President of Communications, 202-207-2829 

Washington, DC — The National Consumers League (NCL) is deeply concerned about the Trump Administration’s latest Make America Healthy Again Commission (MAHA) report, led by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. While framed as a blueprint for addressing childhood chronic disease and other public health issues, the Make Our Children Healthy Again Strategy Report lacks in policy specificity and leaves parents and consumers with more questions than answers. 

“Parents deserve health policies grounded in science, not politics dressed up as evidence,” said Lisa Bercu, Senior Director of Health Policy at NCL. “The steps and campaigns proposed in the Strategy Report will not only further erode the public’s trust in science and public health, by reevaluating well-established, safe, and effective standards such as the childhood vaccine schedule, but when considered alongside this administration’s cuts to public health agencies and critical science, really make us question whether the goal is to improve public health. Ignoring decades of scientific progress and undermining vaccines won’t make children healthier—it will set public health back by decades.” 

NCL released a statement in June 2025 in response to the first MAHA report, condemning RFK Jr. for releasing a misleading and dangerous document that relies on outdated and misrepresented data to undermine vaccines, food safety, and decades of consumer protections. 

The second report repeats this pattern—questioning established vaccine schedules and raising doubts about lifesaving immunizations. 

As an organization committed to protecting consumers, NCL supports evidence-based policies. But we reject attempts to use selective science to justify undermining vaccines, weakening environmental safeguards, or shifting responsibility for chronic disease onto families without addressing systemic drivers like access to affordable healthcare, healthy foods, and safe environments. 

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About the National Consumers League (NCL)  

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org. 

Children Will Pay the Price for Florida’s Reckless Vaccine Decision

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Media Contact: Lisa McDonald, Vice President of Communications, 202-207-2829 

Washington, DC — The National Consumers League (NCL) strongly opposes Florida’s decision to weaken vaccine mandate protections, a move that endangers children and families. Vaccines are one of the most effective public health tools in history, eradicating or nearly eliminating diseases that once devastated communities. By removing mandates, Florida risks the return of preventable outbreaks—especially threatening children who are too young to be vaccinated or those who cannot receive vaccines for medical reasons. 

“Vaccines are one of the most effective public health tools in history, eradicating or nearly eliminating diseases like polio and measles that once devastated communities,” said Lisa Bercu, NCL’s Senior Director of Health Policy. “Removing vaccine mandates erodes critical protections for children, leaving them vulnerable to dangerous but preventable illnesses.  Without these safeguards, we risk seeing the return of diseases we thought were behind us.  The government has a responsibility to uphold vaccines as an essential public health safeguard.”

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About the National Consumers League (NCL)      

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.    

Purging Science from Federal Agencies is Endangering the Health of Every American 

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Media Contact: Lisa McDonald, Vice President of Communications, 202-207-2829  

Washington, DC – The National Consumers League (NCL) is greatly concerned about the recent upheaval at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including the abrupt ousting of CDC Director Susan Monarez less than a month after she was sworn in. 

“These departures are a warning about the state of science and our public health agencies in America. Government public health experts do not seek high salaries; they are driven by an unwavering commitment to advancing public health, fostering research and development, and ensuring safe, effective, and affordable medicine grounded in science and evidence,” says Lisa Bercu, NCL’s Senior Director of Health Policy.  

“By forcing out these dedicated professionals, this administration and RFK Jr. have significantly weakened our healthcare infrastructure,” Bercu continued. “RFK Jr. is leading one of the most hostile efforts in modern U.S. history against credible science and good medicine—actions that are deeply dangerous to the health and well-being of all Americans.”   

Director Monarez was confirmed on July 29, 2025, through a narrow Senate vote and assumed leadership on July 31. Only weeks later, on or around August 27, she was removed from her position amid accusations of refusing to implement politically motivated directives.   

Additionally, at least four senior CDC officials—Dr. Debra Houry, Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, Dr. Daniel Jernigan, and Dr. Jennifer Layden resigned in protest, decrying the “weaponization of public health” and politicization of agency leadership. These events signal a grave erosion of science-first governance at one of our nation’s foremost public health institutions. 

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About the National Consumers League (NCL)      

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.