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 for releasing a misleading and dangerous document that relies on outdated and misrepresented data to undermine vaccines, food safety, and decades of consumer protections.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.    

NCL Sends Letter to Senate HELP Committee on Lowering Healthcare Costs

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

Washington, DC – On July 31, 2025, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee held a hearing on the rising cost of healthcare and the urgent need for patient-focused reform. Lawmakers and expert witnesses discussed challenges with employer-sponsored insurance, the lack of price transparency, and the profit-driven nature of the U.S. healthcare system.

In response, the National Consumers League submitted a letter urging the Committee to take swift, bipartisan action to address medical debt, pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reform, oversight of the 340B program, and healthcare price transparency. These are essential steps to protect consumers and ensure that our healthcare system works for everyone. A copy of the letter can be found 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.    

From Campus to Community: NCL’s 2025 Script Your Future Competition Winners Announced

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

 Washington, DC – The National Consumers League (NCL) is proud to announce the winners of the 2025 Script Your Future Team Challenge, an annual competition that engages pharmacy students in raising awareness about the importance of medication adherence.  

“The creativity and community spirit these students displayed is inspiring,” said NCL CEO Sally Greenberg. “From reaching traditionally underserved populations to building interdisciplinary collaborations, this year’s Script Your Future participants tackled some of the most pressing barriers to medication adherence head-on.”    

2025 Award Winners:  

  • National Award – Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy 
    • The team focused on reproductive health, pediatric medication safety, and drug misuse prevention. They hosted live educational events, launched a student-led health blog for ongoing outreach, and partnered with community groups to expand their impact both in person and online. 
  • Media/Communications Award – Wilkes University Nesbitt School of Pharmacy 
    • Wilkes students executed a strong media campaign that included a live segment on PA Live!, coverage in the Times Leader, and creative social media outreach. Their use of engaging materials, like a medication adherence bingo board, helped boost interaction and visibility. 
  • Under-Represented Community Outreach Award – Temple University School of Pharmacy 
    •  Temple students conducted outreach across North Philadelphia, partnering with grocery stores, churches, libraries, and senior centers to reach underserved populations with information on safe medication use, drug disposal, and vaccine confidence. 
  • Inter-Professional Award – University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy 
    •  UNM integrated their Challenge campaign into the leadership of the ASHP student chapter and collaborated with students in nursing and medicine. Their events included Legislative Day at the State Capitol and a clinic at a men’s homeless shelter. 
  • Inter-Professional Award – Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine School of Pharmacy 
    • LECOM students ran 33 events and partnered with nearly 20 organizations. Their campaign, themed “Be SAFE, Be Well,” included collaborations with public health departments, professional associations, and campus-based health advocacy groups. 

This year’s Challenge saw participation from 14 colleges and schools of pharmacy across eight states, reaching approximately 30,000 individuals through in-person events and dynamic media and social media outreach. Teams also partnered with on-campus organizations and even participated in advocacy efforts before their state legislatures.  

The Script Your Future Team Challenge is coordinated by NCL and supported by partners and sponsors including Bayer, Eli Lilly, Kenvue, Pfizer, USP, ASOP Global, ASHP, the Biosimilars Council, the Biosimilars Forum, NABP, and NCPA.  

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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.  

Medicaid cuts deepen coordinated assault on women’s healthcare  

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

Washington, DC – The National Consumers League (NCL) is speaking out against the sweeping Medicaid cuts included in Trump’s reconciliation package, warning that they come amid a dangerous, coordinated assault on women’s access to essential healthcare services. The new law imposes deep, structural reductions to Medicaid funding and blocks people who use Medicaid from getting care at Planned Parenthood, threatening the health and well-being of millions of low-income Americans, especially women who rely on the program for critical reproductive and preventive care.  This follows a recent Supreme Court decision giving states the green light to block Planned Parenthood from receiving Medicaid funds for essential healthcare services. 

“These cuts to Medicaid and attacks on women’s health are unconscionable,” said NCL Senior Director of Health Policy Lisa Bercu. “They aren’t just numbers in a budget; they translate to fewer prenatal visits, canceled pap smears, and lost access to birth control. These attacks are not about abortion, as federal funds cannot be used for abortion services. Women who depend on Medicaid are being targeted from every angle, and it’s putting their health and lives at risk.”  

When the dust settles from these preposterous cuts, the reality is that 16 million people will be left uninsured—11.8 million due to the bill itself and another 4.2 million because of the failure to renew Affordable Care Act subsidies. The bottom line is that the right to affordable, accessible healthcare should not depend on your income, gender, or zip code.  

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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. 

Lisa Bercu joins NCL as Senior Director of Health Policy

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

Washington, DC – The National Consumers League (NCL), America’s pioneering consumer advocacy organization, is pleased to announce Lisa Bercu as the new Senior Director of Health Policy. Ms. Bercu brings more than a decade of experience in health policy, regulatory affairs, and legislative advocacy to her new role. 

Before joining the League, Lisa spent eight years at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), where she served as Senior Regulatory Counsel in the Office of Generic Drugs and later as Senior Advisor to the Deputy Commissioner for Policy, Legislation, and International Affairs. Her extensive work at the FDA helped shape key policies related to drug access and patient safety.  

Prior to her federal service, Lisa held positions in congressional and regulatory affairs at both a medical society and a reproductive health organization, where she advanced initiatives focused on patient care and public health. 

Lisa earned her J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center and her B.A. from the University of Michigan. 

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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.   

Want Lower Drug Prices? Transparency is The Answer. 

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By Sally Greenberg, NCL CEO 

Pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) have become the uniquely American actors of behind-the-scenes drama in the healthcare system. They are the classic middleman in that they wield enormous power and get between patients and their prescribed medications. They control how much we pay for the medications and decide whether we can get access to the treatments our doctors prescribe.   

Through vertical integration, PBMs have become so intertwined with other players in the healthcare system, including health insurers, chain and mail order pharmacies, group purchasing organizations, and provider groups, it has been difficult for regulators and lawmakers to untangle their oversized – and frankly, anti-consumer – role in the healthcare infrastructure. 

This has been verified by outside researchers and investigations time and time again – a bipartisan Senate Finance report noted that PBMs – not drug makers – were driving up the cost of insulin with their demands for higher and higher rebates on an old and very effective drug for diabetes.  

And recently, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reported that the top three PBMs reaped $7.3 billion in profits from marking up drug prices—a clear indication that these middlemen are not negotiating lower prices for consumers but profiting handsomely at their expense. 

As Congress enters the final stretch of negotiating the budget reconciliation bill, we urge our elected officials to include meaningful and broadly supported reforms to pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs).

While PBM reform provisions were included in the House version of the bill, we are disappointed that the Senate version lacks these critical measures. We strongly urge our Senators to incorporate these reforms, which have bipartisan backing in Congress, the support of the White House, and widespread approval from the American public.

The National Consumers League has expressed concern about health policy decisions made in the early months of the Trump administration, including dismantling critical public health programs and undermining public confidence in vaccines. There’s an additional issue, and that is the president’s executive order on prescription drug prices

But in calling for prescription drug prices in the U.S. to be tied to the lowest price charged in other countries, Trump said intriguingly, “We’re going to cut out the middleman and facilitate the direct sale of drugs at the most favored national price directly to the American citizen.” Tying prices to those of other nations is an entirely separate issue that requires additional scrutiny, but questioning the role of the PBMs as middlemen in driving up prices with little value added for consumers is long overdue. 

It’s also not unprecedented in today’s marketplace. Three years ago, entrepreneur Mark Cuban started Cost Plus Drugs, bypassing the PBM middlemen and negotiating directly with manufacturers for low list prices. It has been a model of transparency, in which consumers know they are paying the list price plus a 15% markup and a $5 pharmacy fee. By and large, consumers are getting their medicines much more cheaply than through the conventional process. 

And we’ve seen large drug manufacturers launch their own direct-to-consumer platforms to help Americans directly and more affordably get certain medicines and gain access to other healthcare services. 

This is the kind of “market disruption” that can be beneficial to patients. An immediate advantage is price transparency. In today’s conventional drug prescribing system, few patients can understand what the costs are and who is making money. We have a byzantine system of rebates and discounts that gives PBMs excessive revenue, hiding behind their opaque rebate and other practices, while patients pay higher out-of-pocket costs, and only the PBMs themselves understand how it works – and they like it that way.   

In an ideal world, PBMs would return to their original mission – using their buying power to negotiate lower prices for consumers and self-insured employers. The problem is that the three large PBMs that control over 80% of the drug prescribing market have no motivation to compete for lower prices or offer them to consumers. 

We support alternatives to PBMs – programs like Cost Plus Drugs that deliver pharmaceuticals to consumers directly and do so affordably and transparently. That might be the best medicine for the problem of middlemen reaping billions of dollars of value from the healthcare system without much gain to anyone but themselves. Call it a new way of looking at PBM reform, which Congress has been pushing for many years. Patients and consumers want transparency, so what is Congress waiting for? 

Public health sabotaged: RFK Jr. purges nation’s vaccine advisory committee

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

Washington, DC – The National Consumers League (NCL) is alarmed by Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s removal of all 17 members of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)—a body composed of independent public health experts who were vetted and appointed through a transparent, rigorous process during the previous administration.  ACIP plays a critical role in evaluating the safety, effectiveness, and public health need for vaccines. Its recommendations guide immunization practices for children, seniors, and the general public—including routine vaccines such as the annual flu shot. 

“Expertise is not a conflict of interest—it’s a safeguard,” said NCL CEO Sally Greenberg. “ACIP members are among the most respected scientists and physicians in the country. To remove them wholesale is reckless, and to do so without a clear plan for who will replace them, just weeks before a major meeting, puts the health of every American at risk.”     

ACIP plays a critical role in determining the safety, efficacy, and recommended use of vaccines—decisions that directly impact whether lifesaving immunizations are covered by public and private insurance. Removing the entire committee without naming qualified replacements risks delaying these essential decisions, weakening public trust, and politicizing what must remain an evidence-based process.    

The upcoming ACIP meeting scheduled for June 25–27 looms large, and it is unclear how newly appointed members, with no transition period or institutional knowledge, will be able to contribute to this complex and urgent work responsibly. The lack of continuity undermines the stability of our public health infrastructure and injects uncertainty into vaccine access and coverage.   

We call on Secretary Kennedy to ensure that new appointees are selected transparently, based on qualifications, not ideology, and to protect the scientific integrity of one of the nation’s most trusted advisory bodies.   

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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.     

MAHA report troubling and misleading for Americans says National Consumers League 

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

Washington, DC —The National Consumers League (NCL) is concerned by the release of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) report, a 69-page report masquerading as a public health strategy.    

“This report is a diagnosis without a treatment plan. It’s a muddled mix of cherry-picked, outdated, and misleading data designed to stoke fear, not solve problems,” said Sally Greenberg, NCL CEO. “It reads less like a roadmap for public health and more like a conspiracy manifesto in a lab coat.”     

On issues NCL has long championed – vaccines, food safety, and nutrition labeling – the MAHA report is troubling. It casts baseless doubt on vaccine safety, questions food regulations grounded in science, and floats vague, unworkable notions that would unravel decades of hard-won consumer protections.   

The report’s food safety claims are flawed, painting a grim picture of pesticide use in American agriculture—claims that have already sparked a backlash from farmers. A review by NOTUS found that several cited studies either don’t exist or were misrepresented, including one falsely attributed to a researcher. “You can’t call this ‘gold-standard science’ while relying on phantom studies,” said Greenberg. “This isn’t transparency—it’s recklessness.” Despite these red flags, the White House is pushing ahead, requesting $500 million to advance the report’s next phase.   

Americans deserve evidence-based policy, not scare tactics. We call on policymakers, scientists, and the public to recommit to a health system that is modern, science-driven, and focused on consumer safety. If this report is a roadmap, NCL is fearful of what the next phase could mean for Americans. Here at NCL, we agree that it is imperative to bolster public health and encourage cleaner food production and supply, but this report falls short.   

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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.