NCL endorses Cantwell-Cruz TICKET Act

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June 21, 2023

Media contact: National Consumers League – Katie Brown, katie@nclnet.org, 202-823-8442

Washington, D.C. – The National Consumers League (NCL), America’s pioneering consumer advocacy organization, today endorsed the Transparency in Charges for Key Events Ticketing Act (TICKET Act) introduced by Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX).

The TICKET Act would require primary and secondary ticket sellers to clearly and conspicuously disclose the all-in price for tickets, including fees, in all advertising, marketing, and price lists at the beginning of a transaction and prior to a buyer selecting the ticket for purchase. The bill would also require ticket resellers to disclose if they are listing a ticket for sale that they do not currently possess, an often-controversial practice known as speculative selling.

The following statement is attributable to NCL Vice President of Public Policy John Breyault:

“Hidden fees and speculative selling too often make buying tickets to see concerts, sporting events, and Broadway shows a frustrating experience for fans. The bipartisan TICKET Act is a long overdue solution to help fix some of the worst aspects of a ticket-buying process that is rigged against fans. We applaud the leadership of Senator Cruz and Senator Cantwell for championing this important consumer protection legislation.”

For more than a decade, the National Consumers League has worked in Washington and in the states to pass pro-fan ticketing legislation that bring much-needed reform to the ticketing industry. In the wake of last fall’s disastrous Taylor Swift ticket sale, leaders in Congress are taking notice and pushing for reforms. In addition to the TICKET Act, NCL has endorsed the BOSS And SWIFT Act in the House of Representatives and the Junk Fee Prevention Act in the Senate.

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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 nclnet.org.

National Consumers League statement on White House all-in pricing announcement

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June 15, 2023

Media contact: National Consumers League – Katie Brown, katie@nclnet.org, 202-823-8442

Washington, D.C. – The National Consumers League (NCL) today applauded the Biden Administration for securing commitments from several live event industry stakeholders to adopt more transparent ticket pricing. The consumer organization urged the White House and pro-fan leaders in Congress to pass legislations ensuring that consumers receive the benefits of all-in prices regardless of what event they wish to attend.

“We are grateful to President Joe Biden for his leadership in bringing to the table the main players in the ticketing industry,” said NCL CEO Sally Greenberg. “Consumers are fed up with deceptive junk fees are glad to have an ally in the White House.”

Since 2009, NCL has worked with independent venues, ticketing companies, ticket brokers, promoters, venue owners, artists, advocates, and state and federal legislators and regulators to reform a live event industry that is rigged against consumers. NCL’s advocacy has led to pro-fan legislation being adopted in several states and well as the federal BOTS Act, which outlawed the use of ticket-buying “bot” software.

“Anyone who wants to attend concerts, sporting events, and Broadway shows knows the frustration that comes with seeing tickets advertised for one price, only to see that cost skyrocket once hidden fees are added at the end of the buying process,” said John Breyault, Vice President of Public Policy, Telecommunications, and Fraud for the National Consumers League.

“The commitments made today by some of the biggest names in the live event industry are a positive step forward. However, enforceable laws to rein in junk fees in the live event marketplace are still needed. There are bills in Congress today that would create a consistent all-in pricing experience for fans regardless of who they buy tickets from. We urge the Administration to work with legislators to move these pro-consumer bills forward.”

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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 nclnet.org.

NCL urges DC Council to reject anti-consumer and anti-worker bill

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June 9, 2023

Media contact: National Consumers League – Melody Merin, melodym@nclnet.org, 202-207-2831

Washington, DC – In preparation for a June 8 hearing, NCL submitted a letter to the DC Council urging that the council reject Bill 25-0280, the “Workers and Restaurants are Priorities Act of 2023.” NCL believes this bill is both anti-consumer and anti-worker and it sets a dangerous precedent for carving out an exemption to our DC Consumer Protection Procedures Act (CPPA) for the sole protection of restaurants.

The letter can be found here.

NCL applauds President Biden for protecting student borrowers and vetoing attempt to end critical programs

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June 8, 2023

Media contact: National Consumers League – Melody Merin, melodym@nclnet.org, 202-207-2831

Washington, D.C. – The National Consumers League (NCL) today applauded President Biden for vetoing Congress’s attempt to roll back critical programs and protections for student loan borrowers. If the bill had become law, President Biden’s one-time debt cancellation would have been nullified, denying over 25 million borrowers critical relief. Additionally, the ongoing payment pause would have been abruptly ended and beneficiaries would have received surprise bills for the past few months of loan interest—interest that has been waived by bipartisan administrations. Lastly, borrowers who saw their loans discharged under longstanding debt cancellation programs, such as Public Service Loan Forgiveness, would have had their debts reinstated.

The following statement is attributable to NCL Public Policy Manager Eden Iscil:

“With today’s veto, President Biden averted disaster for student borrowers nationwide. While the president’s action was important to prevent harm, we must do more to protect individuals with student debt before repayment begins later this summer. Millions of borrowers are currently in limbo as the Supreme Court decides whether they will side with the people and allow debt cancellation to go into effect, or if they will protect loan servicers’ interests and block relief. Repayment should not happen until we address the educational debt crisis.”

 

NCL CEO urges Congress to end companies’ addiction to junk fees

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June 8, 2023

Media contact: National Consumers League – Melody Merin, melodym@nclnet.org, 202-207-2831

WASHINGTON, DC – National Consumers League (NCL) CEO Sally Greenberg today urged Congress to do more to rein in predatory junk fees that plague millions of consumers and honest businesses. In testimony before the Senate Commerce Committee’s Consumer Protection Subcommittee on the need for federal action to rein in predatory junk fees, Greenberg urged Senators to support multiple pieces of consumer protection legislation, including President Biden’s Junk Fee Prevention Act.  

“American companies are addicted to junk fees,” said NCL CEO Greenberg. “These fees cause significant economic harm, especially to historically marginalized and economically vulnerable communities. Junk fees harm honest businesses, too, as consumers’ patronage is unfairly directed away from companies with the best price, quality, convenience, and honest practices to those with pricing that is higher, less transparent, and more deceptive.” 

Greenberg urged Congress to support bills like the Junk Fee Prevention Act, which would rein in some of the worst offenders when it comes to junk fees; the Consumer Protection Remedies Act, which would fully restore the Federal Trade Commission’s ability to obtain monetary and other relief for consumers; and Forced Arbitration Injustice Repeal Act (FAIR Act), which would prohibit a pre-dispute arbitration agreement from being valid or enforceable if it requires arbitration of an employment, consumer, antitrust, or civil rights dispute.

“The Biden Administration and agencies like the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Department of Transportation, and Federal Trade Commission have taken steps to address the scourge of junk fees,” said Greenberg. “Congress can and should do more to support these initiatives.”

NCL and 36 leading patient organizations urge Congress to protect access to essential laboratory tests

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June 7, 2023

Media contact: National Consumers League – Melody Merin, melodym@nclnet.org, 202-207-2831

Washington, D.C.— June 7, 2023 —The National Consumers League (NCL) today sent a letter signed by 37 leading advocacy organizations, including groups that represent patients with common and chronic conditions who depend on laboratory testing to manage their health, urging Senate and House leaders to protect access to clinical laboratory services by enacting the Saving Access to Laboratory Services Act (SALSA / H.R. 2377 / S. 1000) this year.

“Without congressional action this year, Medicare reimbursement cuts scheduled for January 2024 could limit access to essential tests that 65 million American seniors rely on to diagnose and manage disease,” said Sally Greenberg, NCL Chief Executive Officer. “The Saving Access to Laboratory Services Act would help ensure robust access to laboratory services that improve patient health.”

Highlights from the letter include:

  • “Without congressional action, Medicare reimbursement cuts – a fourth round scheduled to begin January 1, 2024 – could jeopardize access to many clinical laboratory tests that are used to diagnose, monitor, prevent, and manage common diseases for Medicare beneficiaries.”
  • “Clinical diagnostic tests play a critical role in health care by informing 70 percent of medical decisions doctors and other health care providers make to care for patients. For example, in 2020 care for Medicare beneficiaries was supported by more than 17 million hemoglobin A1C tests that assessed diabetes risk, 28 million tests that diagnosed and monitored heart disease, and 90,000 tests that diagnosed leukemia and hereditary breast and colon cancer.”
  • “A strong, national laboratory infrastructure is critical to ensuring that testing can be rapidly developed and made widely available when pathogens of concern are identified. Simply put, clinical laboratories strive to be prepared for whatever the next infectious disease outbreak may be and in times of emergency are part of the nation’s critical infrastructure.”
  • “Between 2017 and 2022, payment for some common tests for diseases like diabetes, cancer, and heart disease were cut by 27 percent. The next round of Medicare cuts would lower reimbursement up to another 15 percent for about 800 laboratory tests widely used to screen and manage many serious diseases. It is essential that Congress protect patients by acting this year to fix the Medicare payment model for clinical diagnostic tests.”
  • “Because of the serious implications for patients who rely on routine as well as advanced diagnostic laboratory services, Congress has acted three times to delay these cuts in recent years, but permanent reform is needed now. Fortunately, the Saving Access to Laboratory Services Act would update Medicare’s payment system, which would help protect access to clinical laboratory testing, support investment in innovation, and strengthen America’s clinical laboratory infrastructure.”

Below is the list of signatories:

  • A Breath of Hope Lung Foundation
  • AliveAndKickn
  • Alliance for Aging Research
  • Alliance for Women’s Health and Prevention
  • American Association of Kidney Patients
  • American Sexual Health Association
  • AnCan
  • Black Women’s Health Imperative
  • CancerCare
  • Cancer Support Community
  • Caregiver Action Network
  • Caring Across Generations
  • Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation
  • Chronic Disease Coalition
  • Community Liver Alliance
  • Down Syndrome Association of Orange County
  • FORCE: Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered
  • Global Liver Institute
  • GO2 Foundation for Lung Cancer
  • HealthCare Institute of New Jersey (HINJ)
  • Healthcare Leadership Council
  • Healthy Men Inc.
  • HealthyWomen
  • ICAN, International Cancer Advocacy Network
  • International Foundation for Autoimmune & Autoinflammatory Arthritis
  • The Latino Coalition
  • LUNGevity Foundation
  • Lupus and Allied Diseases Association, Inc.
  • Men’s Health Network
  • Minority Health Institute
  • The National Association of Directors of Nursing Administration
  • National Alliance of State Prostate Cancer Coalitions
  • National Consumers League
  • The National Grange
  • RetireSafe
  • Triage Cancer
  • Vasculitis Foundation

Click here to view the full letter.

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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: Increasing truck size and weight limits is bad for consumers

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May 23, 2023

Media contact: National Consumers League – Katie Brown, katie@nclnet.org, 202-823-8442

Washington, D.C. – The National Consumers League, America’s pioneering worker and consumer advocacy organization, today called on lawmakers to protect consumers by blocking efforts, at both the federal and state levels, to raise the weight and size limits on commercial trucks.

Each year, the number of commercial trucks is increasing, while the number of experienced truck drivers is decreasing. In its new white paper, the consumer group examined the safety, economic, and environmental impact that putting bigger and heavier trucks onto our nation’s already congested roads would have on consumers.

“Large, heavy commercial trucks are being driven by increasingly inexperienced drivers, which is putting other drivers in danger, putting stress on roads and bridges and polluting the air we breathe,” said NCL CEO Sally Greenberg. “Lawmakers should be looking to address these concerns, rather than pushing to get even bigger and heavier trucks on the road.”

The NCL white paper examines how accidents involving long trucks continue to increase, despite a decline in the overall rate of traffic accidents. The paper looks at how the high turnover in commercial truck drivers is leading to more inexperienced drivers, who are more likely to be involved in accidents. It also shines a light on the attempts to expand driverless trucks, including massive convoys of trucks being controlled by the lead truck.

The white paper shows how large trucks are the single biggest contributor to black carbon emissions. Putting larger and heavier trucks on the road will contribute to increased rates of asthma and other lung problems, especially among children.

NCL’s paper also looked at the impact large and heavy trucks are having on our nation’s infrastructure. A Department of Transportation report showed that increasing weight limits for trucks would have an impact on 5,000 bridges across the country. The report finds that allowing double trailer trucks would require the immediate reinforcement of 2,500 interstate highway bridges.

The white paper proposes numerous steps lawmakers can take to address these problems. Aside from rejecting efforts to increase truck size and weight limits, lawmakers should take the following actions to protect consumers from large commercial trucks:

  • Enact a Vehicle Miles Traveled and Weight Tax
  • Stricter licensing requirements for larger trucks
  • Keep autonomous trucks off the road
  • Shift weight limit penalties onto carriers

“Consumers are already bearing the burden of sharing roads and bridges with massive trucks carrying heavy loads,” said Greenberg. “Lawmakers have a choice. They can either take steps to make our roads and bridges safer and our air cleaner or they can make things worse. Consumers are looking for them to step up and do the right thing.”

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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 nclnet.org.

2023 Script Your Future Medication Adherence Team Challenge winners

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May 16, 2023

Media contact: National Consumers League – Katie Brown, katie@nclnet.org, 202-823-8442

Washington, DC —Today, the National Consumers League (NCL) announced the winners of its twelfth annual Script Your Future Medication Adherence Team Challenge, an eight-week intercollegiate competition among health profession student teams and faculty to combat poor medication adherence in the United States, where nearly three out of four patients do not take their medication as directed.

The Challenge, hosted by NCL, returns to university campuses across the country to encourage student competition and innovation. “The Team Challenge was first established in 2011 to nurture adherence-minded values in future generations of health professionals. Since its launch, the campaign has supported close to 2,000 community health events, engaged over 60,000 healthcare providers, and reached 27.5 million consumers and counting. We are very proud of the contribution this effort has made to the public health of all consumers,” said NCL Chief Executive Officer, Sally Greenberg.

This year’s winners are:

  • Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) School of Pharmacy,
  • Temple University School of Pharmacy,
  • Western University School of Health Sciences,
  • University of Charleston School of Pharmacy, and
  • University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy.

2023 Medication Adherence Team Challenge Winners

National Award Winner: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM)

Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine’s (LECOM) 2023 Script Your Future efforts were centered around Wellness, Adherence, Lifestyle, and Knowledge (WALK). LECOM students and faculty designed community service events in collaboration with various healthcare professionals across pathways (Erie, Bradenton, Distance Education) and programs (pharmacy, medical, and masters). The unified message promoted the importance of medication adherence, chronic disease state management, reducing disease stigma, smoking cessation, safe drug disposal, and OTC medication safety. To kick off 2023 Script Your Future, a healthcare pledge affirming the importance of interdisciplinary teamwork in improving patient outcomes was distributed and 223 current and future healthcare professional signatures were received. Overall, 817 educational materials were distributed in-person to 260 individuals. Social media, print, and broadcasting efforts reached an estimated 279,360 individuals. Overall, LECOM’s Script Your Future was a successful and impactful campaign that consisted of 159 volunteers, correlating to 273 hours of community service contributed throughout 23 service events that reached 279,779 individuals.

Under-Represented Community Outreach Award Winner: Temple University

Temple University’s main initiative this year was a community baby shower. Students got together and sought donations for diapers, wipes, baby clothes, diaper bags, strollers, car seats, baby bottles, and pacifiers, and advertised the event throughout social media to expectant mothers in the North Philadelphia community. Students connected with larger Philadelphia organizations to get the word out and have expecting mothers register for the event. The event was a great success! There was a panel on general women’s health and gestational diabetes to educate the expecting mothers and students created pamphlets on gestational diabetes and pediatric vaccinations. During the event students displayed safe drug disposal posters and educated the mothers on the importance of keeping medications in places where children and pets cannot reach them. The team was able to help over 50 expectant mothers in the North Philadelphia community.

Media & Communications Award Winner: Western University

In addition to creating TikTok videos, Western’s 2023 team recreated its website with a new, cleaner interface that is easier to use among every age group. A new tinyurl link (www.tinyurl.com/amcphealthhelper) and QR codes to link to the website were created, along with infographics for a variety of chronic diseases. The infographics were visually appealing and easy to read. Additionally, the infographics about COVID-19, high blood pressure, diabetes, and more were available to view in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Mandarin, and Korean. For this year, the team provided a new translation for its infographics in Tagalog because there is a significant number of Filipino patients within the community. Visitors were able to download these infographics in each language for personal use, all infographics were available in these languages. By informing patients about their disease states, the students were able to help them understand why it is important to continue adhering to their medications. In addition to efforts to promote the TikTok videos and website, the team also collaborated with local pharmacies including Owl Pharmacy, Holt Pharmacy, Ontario Pharmacy, ABC Pharmacy, and Costco Pharmacy in distributing Script Your Future wallet cards. A total of approximately 2,000 wallet cards were distributed, including 1290 in English, 347 in Spanish, 142 in Vietnamese, and 80 in Mandarin.

Interprofessional Award Winner: University of Charleston

The University of Charleston School of Pharmacy (UCSOP) took a broad approach to interprofessional collaboration and included students studying political science and public health. These students were onsite during the West Virginia Rural Health Day and WVA Pharmacy Day at the Capital events. Political Science students were able to give advice to pharmacy students on presenting material and information to legislators and state leaders. Students focused efforts on increasing community influence around the importance of healthy lifestyles, medication adherence, and the confidence in vaccines. To broaden the effort further, the University of Charleston Nursing Program, University of Charleston Athletic Trainers and Exercise Undergraduates, along with various undergraduate students who could share knowledge on health topics participated in various events. In addition to UC associates, the team collaborated with several community partners, such as the West Virginia Pharmacists Association, West Virginia Rural Health Association, West Virginia Collegiate Recovery Network, American Foundation for Suicide Awareness, The American Heart Association, Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, and West Virginia local and state representatives. In working with these organizations, the team was able to broaden the number of community members influenced by its campaign efforts.

Technology Innovation Award: University of Pittsburgh

The Pitt Pharmacy team created innovative technologies where students had the ability to learn about cardiovascular emergencies in real time. Students ran simulations with simman. This “patient” can have a range of health concerns, from a heart attack to atrial fibrillation. Students learned how cardiac disorders are treated and performed simulations as instructors for future pharmacy students. In addition, student organizations hosted events with virtual reality technology where students could “treat” patients for these cardiovascular events.

Owen Hott, a student involved in the University of Pittsburg technology committee, stated, “As the head of the technology and innovation committee, Script Your Future was a great experience that allowed me to work with new people, come up with awesome ideas, and to play a part in a national campaign to empower patients. Part of my future goals as a pharmacist is to make sure that patients are as knowledgeable about their own health as their health providers. It’s all too often that I see issues that could have been avoided if anyone had spent the time to teach patients about their conditions rather than just sending them off with their medications, and I’m glad I was able to contribute to the cause!”

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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 nclnet.org.

NCL statement on nomination of Dr. Monica Bertagnolli as the Director of the National Institutes of Health

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May 15, 2023

Media contact: National Consumers League – Katie Brown, katie@nclnet.org, 202-823-8442

Washington, D.C. – The National Consumers League welcomes President Joe Biden nomination’s of Dr. Monica Bertagnolli as the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

NIH plays a critical role in advancing science to benefit patients. Dr. Bertagnolli’s deep understanding of biomedical research and proven leadership in directing the National Cancer Institute makes her an ideal nominee for the NIH Directorship.

“Dr. Bertagnolli brings so much experience to this post,” said Sally Greenberg, NCL’s CEO. “She is a physician, scientist, and a patient herself, so she has seen all sides of the issues facing patients and the NIH. We would be fortunate indeed to have someone of Dr. Bertagnolli stature and accomplishments leading the NIH.”

Dr. Bertagnolli is currently the Director of the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Prior to her role at the NCI, Dr. Bertagnolli was a professor of surgery at Harvard Medical School, and chief of the Division of Surgical Oncology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. In addition, she was the recent chair of the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology, a national clinical trial network of the NCI.

“NCL believes that Dr. Bertagnolli is the right leader for this critical agency that advances public health. NCL supports her nomination and we urge the Senate to confirm her promptly,” Greenberg added.

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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 nclnet.org.

NCL statement on FDA review of the oral toxicity of cannabidiol (CBD)

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May 12, 2023

Media contact: National Consumers League – Katie Brown, katie@nclnet.org, 202-823-8442

Washington, D.C. – This week, researchers from the Office of Food Additive Safety, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published an analysis on the toxicity of cannabidiol (CBD). The National Consumers League (NCL), the nation’s oldest consumer advocacy organization, has been actively monitoring the growing threats to consumer safety as the market for untested, unapproved cannabidiol (CBD) products has exploded. NCL Chief Executive Officer, Sally Greenberg, released the following statement:

“We’re encouraged to see the experts at the FDA continue efforts to study CBD. These findings unfortunately further validate our concerns around the risks, including negative drug-drug interactions, disruption of critical metabolic pathways, liver injury, reproductive toxicity, and more. These concerns are of course heightened by the fact that many consumers are using products without physician oversight and often use products for long periods of time. The data highlights the need to ensure that FDA has sufficient regulatory tools and resources to mitigate public health risks in this wild west CBD marketplace.”

Learn more about the path to safe cannabis and CBD use here. And learn more about the cannabis consumer market at cannabiswatch.org.

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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 nclnet.org.