NCL urges ACIP to expand RSV vaccine recommendations at April 2025 meeting

/in , , , /by

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

Washington, DC — This week, the National Consumers League this week strongly recommended expanding respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines for high-risk adults 50-59 years old to protect against a condition that can become severe for infants and older adults. NCL was selected to make remarks before the critically important Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices ( ACIP)  Additionally, NCL encouraged the Committee to continue its work in support of increasing vaccine confidence and transparency for the public.  On April 11, 2025, the National Consumers League submitted comments in response to a request for comments at the April 15 and 16 in Atlanta, Georgia.

ACIP also discussed the COVID-19, flu, RSV, and meningococcal vaccines. At the meeting, additional discussion and updates were provided on the ongoing and growing measles outbreaks and cases across the nation. The Committee voted on recommendations for three vaccines, including RSV.

Samantha Sears, NCL’s Health Policy Associate, told the ACIP committee to expand access to RSV and other vaccines and advised that a middle ground, called shared clinical decision-making, has proven too often to result in patients not choosing to get vaccinated, which runs counter to NCL’s support for broader vaccine adoption given the vast data to support the overwhelming safety and efficacy of vaccines in preventing infection disease.

Originally, ACIP was scheduled to meet in February, but the meeting was indefinitely postponed after the confirmation of the Secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. NCL is pleased that the Secretary rescheduled this meeting and hopes that the remaining two meetings of ACIP in 2025 will continue as scheduled.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), comprising fifteen medical and public health experts, is charged with advising the CDC Director on the use of vaccines and the immunization schedules for adults and children. ACIP meets regularly to review data, studies, and proposals for vaccines and, as needed, for emergency cases. Meetings are open to the public and, since COVID, streamed online. The recordings of the livestream of the April 15 and April 16 meetings are available online.

### 

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. 

Mass layoffs at HHS: A blow to healthcare access and public health

/in , /by

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

Washington, DC – The National Consumers League (NCL) is deeply concerned by the Trump administration’s decision to lay off an additional 10,000 employees at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) following the already eliminated 10,000 jobs via previous rounds of cuts. In total, the restructuring and force reduction plans will result in a downsizing from 82,000 to 62,000 full-time employees nationwide.    

The impact of these cuts and restructuring is particularly concerning for agencies like the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). These agencies are crucial to the functioning of vital public health and safety programs, including the 340B Drug Pricing Program, which allows hospitals, community health centers, and other providers to purchase prescription medications at discounted prices. This ensures that low-income and underserved communities can afford the medications they need.    

“In the wake of a nationwide measles outbreak, this is a reckless decision by the Trump administration,” said Samatha Sears, NCL Health Policy Associate. “HHS leadership should be prioritized on bolstering public health and delving into medical research for vaccines and medications, not firing thousands of staff and jeopardizing agencies like HRSA and NIOSH. Downsizing this department under our current circumstances is irresponsible and dangerous to the American people.”     

The NCL calls on the administration to reconsider these workforce reductions to ensure that essential health services are not disrupted and that vulnerable communities continue to have access to the care they need.   

###  

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 sounds alarm over measles outbreak, calls for stronger immunization leadership

/in , , /by
Media Contact: Lisa McDonald, Vice President of Communications, 202-207-2829
Washington, DC — As of this week, there are a total of 223 cases of measles in western Texas, and it is spreading to neighboring counties in New Mexico and Oklahoma. Yet, recently confirmed Secretary of U.S. Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy is not actively pushing for Americans to get immunized. The National Consumers League (NCL) stands firmly on the side of science and evidence-based medicine.  In February, we expressed concern over his appointment, and now we are witnessing the significant risk to Americans’ health and well-being we previously stated.
“This spread of an extremely contagious virus should be a wakeup call to the American people and a stark reminder of the importance of immunization,” said Sally Greenberg, NCL CEO. “Decades ago, we saw a similar situation turn, polio, turn into an epidemic causing major disabilities and death to millions of Americans. We cannot go back. As a nation, our leaders and lawmakers should lead with facts, scientific data, and a commitment to public well-being.”
###
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.

Trump administration shortens ACA enrollment, threatening healthcare for millions of consumers

/in , , /by

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

Washington, DC – Millions of Americans would be affected by the Trump administration’s attempts to shorten the Affordable Care Act (ACA) open enrollment period and eliminate the monthly enrollment option for low-income families.   

By shortening the open enrollment window from 12 weeks to just 30 days, the proposal issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) would inevitably result in eligible individuals failing to enroll in coverage. The drastic reduction in time creates unnecessary barriers to enrollment for consumers, particularly those who need time to research their options, gather necessary documentation, contact brokers, or navigate the enrollment process. This is a direct attack on consumers’ access to healthcare, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations, including low-income families, the elderly, and those with limited internet access or health literacy.  

In Trump’s first term, the administration cut outreach and public education funding and allowed short-term plans that offer subpar coverage, leading to a significant drop in ACA enrollment. This latest attempt will create further confusion and chaos for consumers seeking affordable healthcare options.     

Additionally, the CMS proposal to deny ACA coverage to immigrant “Dreamers”—young people brought to the U.S. illegally as children—raises further concerns. These individuals are hardworking, tax-paying contributors to the U.S. economy and should not be excluded from accessing healthcare plans. CMS also proposed limiting coverage for gender-affirming care starting in 2026.    

“This is a cruel and calculated attempt to roll back the ACA, undermine consumers, and restrict access to healthcare for millions,” said Sally Greenberg, NCL CEO. “By shortening the enrollment period, the administration is making it harder for hardworking Americans to find the coverage they need. Denying Dreamers access to health care is unjust, shortsighted, and could put in danger the broader community. We are disappointed by this proposal as Mr. Trump has pledged not to harm Dreamers.”   

In December of 2024 President Trump discussed Dreamers during a “Meet the Press” interview: “We have to do something about the Dreamers because these are people that have been brought here at a very young age,’ If Dreamers have the right to stay in this country, as Mr. Trump says they should, it is essential they have the same health care options available as all other Americans.

###      

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 signs on to PBM Accountability Project letter advocating for transparency and cost savings in prescription drug pricing  

/in , , , /by

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

Washington, DC – The National Consumers League (NCL) is proud to announce its support for the PBM Accountability Project’s letter, which has been shared with the U.S. House Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee ahead of their hearing on February 26, 2025. The PBM Accountability Project calls for urgent reform of the Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) industry to increase transparency, reduce prescription drug costs, and provide relief to consumers and patients across the nation.    

The National Consumers League has growing concerns about the anti-competitive, anti-consumer, and anti-patient practices of the largest PBMs, which have created an opaque system that inflates prescription drug prices. NCL stands firm with the signatories in urging the subcommittee to advance bipartisan legislation that addresses these harmful practices and restores fairness to the prescription drug marketplace.     

“Consumers deserve transparency and affordability in healthcare,” said NCL CEO Sally Greenberg. “PBMs have been driving up costs for everyday Americans and their families, often without consumers realizing the true price of their medications. NCL’s commitment to consumer protection means advocating for policies that rein in the practices of these middlemen and prioritize patients over corporate profits. We must act now to bring down drug prices and ensure every American has access to affordable medications.”   

Consumers need immediate action to curb the influence of PBMs, whose practices have been detrimental to both patients and community pharmacies. Key bipartisan reforms highlighted in the letter include measures such as delinking drug prices from PBM revenues, implementing fair pharmacy contract terms, and ensuring rebates are passed directly to patients. These reforms are essential to lowering drug costs and increasing access to vital medications.   

###     

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 statement on the executive order establishing the president’s make America healthy again commission

/in , , /by

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

Washington, DC – The National Consumers League (NCL) acknowledges the intention behind the establishment of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission and supports efforts to address the growing concerns around chronic disease in America, particularly those impacting our children. We look forward to collaborating with the Commission to ensure that its findings and recommendations are rooted in rigorous, evidence-based science that reflects modern-day understanding and research.

NCL has significant concerns about certain aspects of the Executive Order (EO), particularly regarding the language used to describe conditions like autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The EO implies that these conditions are “diseases” in need of curing, which is a troubling and misleading characterization. It is critical to recognize that ASD and ADHD are not diseases but neurodevelopmental conditions that reflect the natural diversity of human experience. The increasing diagnoses of these conditions are a result of better understanding, especially regarding how they manifest in underrepresented populations such as women and people of color. Research has shown that earlier recognition and more accurate diagnostic criteria contribute to the rise in diagnoses, which should be seen as a step forward in providing appropriate support, not a societal crisis.

Additionally, NCL is concerned about the recent reports of over 5,000 federal employees being terminated from public health sectors and agencies. The lack of personnel and resources in these vital sectors threatens the effectiveness of our national health initiatives. It will significantly hinder the Commission’s ability to thoroughly investigate and address the complex health issues outlined in the EO. A robust, well-funded workforce is essential for producing meaningful, actionable findings that will benefit all Americans, and NCL urges the administration to prioritize the restoration of these critical positions.

“We applaud the intention behind the Make America Healthy Again Commission and look forward to working together to improve the health of all Americans,” said NCL CEO Sally Greenberg. “However, it is vital that the Commission’s findings are based on rigorous, science-backed research that considers the complexities of conditions like ASD and ADHD and does not frame them as issues to be ‘cured.’ It is crucial that we acknowledge the advances in understanding these conditions rather than perpetuate outdated and harmful narratives.”

We encourage the MAHA Commission to ensure its work is guided by the most up-to-date, peer-reviewed scientific evidence and to adopt policies that support, rather than stigmatize, individuals with disabilities and chronic conditions. Only through such an approach can we make real progress in improving public health while respecting the rights and dignity of all individuals.

###

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 applauds FDA approval of Journavx for acute pain relief, advancing non-opioid alternatives 

/in , , /by

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

Washington, DC – The National Consumers League (NCL) applauds the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for approving Journavx, a pioneering non-opioid analgesic for treating moderate to severe acute pain in adults. This approval introduces a promising alternative to opioids in pain management, addressing the urgent need for safer treatments amid the ongoing opioid crisis.

According to the CDC there were an estimated 75,091 opioid overdose deaths in 2024. As the first drug in a new class of non-opioid analgesics, Journavx offers a critical option for patients needing pain relief without the risks associated with opioids.  This groundbreaking alternative works by targeting sodium channels in the peripheral nervous system, reducing pain signals before they reach the brain.

“The approval of Journavx is a significant step forward in providing consumers with safe, non-opioid alternatives for pain management,” said Sally Greenberg NCL CEO. “In the face of the opioid epidemic, the FDA’s decision gives us hope for a future where pain management can be effective and free of the risks that have harmed so many.”

The drug provides an important option for acute pain management, especially as the healthcare community looks for ways to reduce opioid dependency. To learn more about additional non-opioid alternatives listen to NCL’s We Can Do This! podcast episode, where we explore the future of pain management here.

###

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.

Nancy Glick

Preventing foodborne illness is worth the investment

/in , , , , , /by

By Nancy Glick, Director of Food and Nutrition Policy

“We’re not going back” is a rallying cry not usually associated with food safety policy. But if the Trump Administration heeds the call from the trade association for the processed meat industry to withdraw a needed proposed food safety rule, Americans will indeed go back to facing preventable foodborne illness outbreaks. 

The rule in question – to allow USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) to establish standards that will keep Salmonella contaminated chicken carcasses and poultry parts from entering the market – comes at a time when Salmonella infections are on the rise in the U.S.  According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Salmonella bacteria cause over 1 million human infections in the United States each year, putting more Americans at risk for serious illness, including fever, bloody diarrhea, and sometimes life-threatening complications. Moreover, CDC estimates that foodborne Salmonella causes 29 illnesses for each case that is detected – meaning significantly more people are getting sick than records show.  

The National Consumers League (NCL), as part of the Safe Food Coalition, praised FSIS for issuing the proposed rule in January 2025, as did many public health and medical societies. Why? One reason is because chicken is a major source of illness from Salmonella, causing an estimated 195,634 illnesses each year at a cost of $2.8 billion annually, according to Consumer Reports. In fact, CDC estimates that about one in every 25 packages of chicken at the grocery story are contaminated with Salmonella.  

The other reason is the good news. Today, advances in technology make it possible for inspectors to rapidly detect and mitigate Salmonella and other foodborne pathogens throughout the poultry supply chain. Thus, the FSIS rule is predicated on new technologies for early detection of foodborne bacteria.  

But, the Meat Institute, speaking for the $227.9 billion meat and poultry processing industry, has asked the Trump Administration to withdraw the rule as a way to reduce “burdensome” regulations. The group says the new FSIS rule, which was three years in the making, will “add cost to the production and supply of food, exacerbating food price inflation to the detriment of consumers.”  

However, NCL actually speaks for consumers, and we challenge this position. Polls show that Americans favor stronger food safety oversight. In a 2022 survey, 74 percent said it would be worth a 1 to 3 percent increase in the cost of food to pay for added safety measures.  

Moreover, Americans recognize that foodborne illness has widespread consequences, both in terms of people’s lives and costs to society. Starting with the human toll, CDC estimates that 48 million people get sick, 128,000 are hospitalized and 3,000 people die each year from foodborne diseases. In terms of the cost to the economy, a study by researchers from USDA’s Economic Research Service puts the cost to the economy at $75 billion (in 2023 dollars) annually, which includes medical care, lost productivity, and premature deaths, including those associated with secondary chronic illnesses.   

For all these reasons, Americans are not willing to give up food safety protections for the possibility of saving a few pennies when buying poultry products. Instead, consumers – along with public health officials and infectious disease specialists – are calling on the Trump Administration to finalize enforceable safety standards for poultry products as part of the new “Make America Healthy Again” initiative because the FSIS rule will result in safer food and fewer illnesses.  

NCL expresses concern over the U.S. Senate’s confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services

/in , , , /by

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

Washington, DC – The National Consumers League (NCL), a long-time advocate for consumer health and safety, is disappointed with the Senate’s confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), which oversees agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). NCL has consistently supported science, evidence-based medicine, and public health and believes this appointment poses a significant risk to Americans’ health and well-being. Kennedy, who holds a law degree and has no medical training, is uniquely unqualified for this role.  

 “NCL stands firmly on the side of science and evidence-based medicine. We support policies that prioritize public health, protect consumers, and ensure the safety and efficacy of medical practices and treatments,” said NCL CEO Sally Greenberg. “With Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s confirmation, we are concerned that HHS leadership will be compromised by someone who has repeatedly ignored science and factual evidence in favor of misinformation.”   

 The Secretary of Health and Human Services must lead with facts, scientific data, and a commitment to public well-being.  By appointing Kennedy, who has a history of spreading baseless claims and promoting harmful misinformation, the confirmation undermines trust in the very healthcare system that is intended to protect the American public.   

“Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. is a twin danger to the nation’s health. Not only is he not a medical provider, but he promotes unproven alternative therapies with no scientific evidence of therapeutic benefits, which in turn could harm consumers,” said Greenberg.

The FDA currently mandates rigorous clinical trials before approving drugs as cures or designated for treating specific medical conditions. The FDA does not regulate supplements, a significant part of the wellness market; however, it oversees false health claims and products that pose health risks to consumers. NCL urges the medical establishment to closely monitor any unsafe products or therapies he may endorse.

NCL previously collaborated with HHS, the FDA, CDC, and NIH during the first Trump Administration and hopes to build on that foundation. For the sake of public health, we will hold him accountable for his promise to the Senate to support vaccines, medical research, clinical trials, and pharmaceutical advancements that have made HHS the gold standard for healthcare around the world.   

We also appreciate the thought behind Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again,” initiative which plans to address obesity and chronic diseases, promotes healthier food choices, prioritizes fresh, whole foods over processed options, and seeks to eliminate potential conflicts of interest in public health policies.    

###     

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 joins 25+ advocacy organizations in opposing expansion of 340B drug pricing program in New York 

/in , , /by

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

Washington, DC – Today, the National Consumers League (NCL) joined over 25 patient and provider advocacy organizations in voicing strong opposition to the proposed expansion of the 340B Drug Pricing Program under NY Senate Bill 1913. The groups, which represent a broad coalition of patients, healthcare providers, and consumer advocates, assert that the 340B program, originally designed to support vulnerable populations, has instead become a profit-driven mechanism benefiting large hospital systems and middlemen—without delivering on its promises to the low-income individuals it was meant to help.  

“The 340B program was designed to help vulnerable patients, but it’s become a profit-driven system that benefits hospitals, not those in need,” said Samantha Sears, Health Policy Associate at NCL. “It’s time for policymakers to demand real accountability and transparency.” 

Without these changes, 340B will continue to drive up costs while failing to serve those who need it most. Rather than expanding a flawed and dysfunctional system, the coalition is urging state legislators to take meaningful action to reform 340B. They are calling for: 

  • Greater transparency on how 340B savings are reinvested into patient care. 
  • Direct benefits to lower drug costs for uninsured patients. 
  • A focus on expanding the program in truly underserved areas. 

The full letter is available here. 

### 

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 nclnet.org.