Statement on the Death of President Jimmy Carter, Sally Greenberg, CEO

Photo Credit: LBJ Presidential Library, Austin, Texas, 2014.

January 1, 2025

The National Consumers League extends condolences to the family, friends, and community of former President Jimmy Carter upon his death this week. In addition to being an honest and effective Commander in Chief and humanitarian who expanded access to housing for low-income families through his work on Habitat for Humanity, President Carter should also be remembered as a great consumer champion.

During his presidency, Mr. Carter championed consumer protection in a variety of ways. He appointed labor and consumer champion Esther Peterson, who also served as president of the National Consumers League, to head the White Office of Consumer Affairs. Like President Lyndon Johnson (LBJ)  before him, who first named Peterson to the post of Special Adviser to the President Jimmy Carter understood that consumer rights permeate citizens’ experiences with companies and with government.

Unlike his processor, Mr. Carter gave Mrs. Peterson a staff and access to him personally in the Oval Office. As such, Mr. Carter elevated consumer protection far beyond LBJ’s decree. Along with re-appointing Esther Peterson, Carter issued a historic decree in April of 1978, “Memorandum from the President on Consumer Affairs,” the first of its kind, directing the heads of every government agency to take a series of steps to prioritize consumer protection. 

Notably, Mr. Carter stated that “the Agency for Consumer Advocacy is mainly designed for participation in very large administrative proceedings; it is only one of a number of steps which will better protect the consumer.”

On a personal note, I had the honor of meeting President Carter in 1978, when he appointed my aunt, Geri Joseph, to serve as Ambassador to the Netherlands. I was lucky to be able to attend her swearing-in ceremony in the Oval Office. I found him to be kind and charming; despite a number of pressing matters, he took the time to introduce himself to every member of our family who was gathered for the occasion. 

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National Consumers League Calls on Congress to Include TICKET Act in Continuing Resolution

December 16, 2024

National Consumers League Calls on Congress to Include TICKET Act in Continuing Resolution

Contact: National Consumers League – Lisa McDonald, lisam@nclnet.org, 202-207-2829

WASHINGTON, DC – The National Consumers League (NCL), America’s oldest consumer and worker advocacy organization, is urging Congress to include the bipartisan TICKET Act (H.R. 3950) in any Continuing Resolution (CR) passed this session. The TICKET Act represents the most significant live event ticketing reform in nearly a decade, addressing key concerns in the live event marketplace for all stakeholders.

Key provisions of the TICKET Act include:

  • Banning hidden fees through all-in pricing requirements.
  • Prohibiting speculative ticketing and other deceptive marketing practices.
  • Requiring refunds for canceled and postponed events.
  • Commissioning an FTC study on enforcement of the BOTS Act.

Earlier this year, the TICKET Act passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support (388–24) and gained endorsements from a broad coalition of stakeholders, including the, Consumer Reports, Artist Rights Alliance, Recording Academy, Live Nation/Ticketmaster (LNE), Coalition for Ticket Fairness, Vivid Seats, StubHub, and the National Independent Venue Association and other consumer groups.

Despite previously supporting the bill, the Fix the Tix Coalition—has backed away from the bill. We think that is misguided.

“The TICKET Act is a hard-fought compromise and, we believe, Congress’ best chance to deliver meaningful reforms that benefit fans, venues, and artists as early as next summer’s concert season,” said John Breyault, NCL’s Vice President of Public Policy, Telecommunications, and Fraud. “We are disappointed that groups that had previously supported the bill have reversed themselves, though the bill has not significantly changed since they originally endorsed it. We are concerned that Ticketmaster/Live Nation, which owns primary and secondary ticketing platforms, manages hundreds of artists and owns, controls, or has exclusive contracts with hundreds of venues, may be exerting undue influence at the expense of consumers. Congress should resist special interests, and stand up for consumers by including this package of positive reforms in the CR.”

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Trump’s Nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Secretary of Health and Human Services Threatens Public Health

November 15, 2024

Media contact: National Consumers League – Lisa McDonald, lisam@nclnet.org, 202-207-2829

WASHINGTON, DC– President-elect Trump’s decision to nominate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) is a grave error, prioritizing conspiracy theories over evidence based science and medical research that is a foundation of our public health system.

The nomination is a staggering blow to the integrity of our nation’s healthcare delivery system. Kennedy, one of the loudest anti-vaccine voices during the COVID-19 pandemic, has been vocal about his theory that vaccines cause autism, a theory unsubstantiated by medical research. Vaccines are one of the most significant achievements in modern medicine, virtually eradicating childhood diseases such as smallpox and polio, saving millions of lives, and ensuring that our children grow up healthy and safe. The World Health Organization has repeatedly affirmed that vaccines are a cornerstone of public health, drastically reducing child mortality and preventing devastating diseases.

Parents across the nation, regardless of their political affiliations, share the same goal: to see their children grow up healthy and strong. By advancing vaccine skepticism, Mr. Kennedy jeopardizes not only children’s health but also public confidence in science, medicine, and the agencies tasked with protecting public safety—a foundation that has taken over a century to build.

If he is confirmed for the position, Mr. Kennedy, an environmental lawyer by training with no experience in the health or medical community, would oversee critical agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). His anti-science stance raises serious concerns about his ability to lead a department responsible for infectious disease control, food and drug safety, Medicare and Medicaid policy, and life-saving medical research.

In addition, Mr. Kennedy has proposed drastic changes to the FDA, including loosening regulations on raw milk and eliminating the user fees that fund the oversight of drugs and medical devices. These fees are essential for ensuring timely reviews and approvals for medical devices and drugs. Eliminating them delay the availability of new medical innovations and treatments that serve public health.

This is not the first time that Trump has recommended an unqualified individual for Secretary of Health and Human Services. In 2016, President Trump selected Tom Price, whose tenure ended after just three months due to ethical issues and misuse of taxpayer funds.

The Department of Health and Humans Services deserves a leader committed to advancing science, protecting public health, and upholding the integrity of the nation’s healthcare systems. With this nomination, President-elect Trump is proposing putting the fox in the henhouse, essentially putting our public health under an unsuitable leader who would dismantle the very programs that protect our health and the nation’s food supply.

The National Consumers League calls on the U.S. Senate to reject this nomination. Furthermore, we urge President-elect Trump to withdraw this appointment and select a candidate who will champion science, uphold public trust, and protect the health of the nation.

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Consumer coalition supports DOT proposal to ban family seating fees, urges action on additional passenger protection issues

November 8, 2024

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

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the National Consumers League (NCL) and six other public interest organizations filed comments supporting the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) proposed rule to ban fees charged to families trying to secure seats next to their children. NCL has long urged DOT to act on this important safety issue and applauds Transportation Secretary Buttigieg for taking the necessary steps toward ending this unjustifiable practice. 

“We have a basic right to fly with our children and not pay a junk fee for doing so,” said NCL Vice President of Public Policy, Telecommunications, and Fraud John Breyault. “Parents should not have to choose between an affordable airline seat and their children’s safety. Congress and DOT both reached the right conclusion that ending the airlines’ unjustifiable tax on families is the right thing to do for the flying public.” 

NCL also commended DOT for raising questions regarding air carriers’ obsession with add-on fees generally, like charges for providing drinking water to passengers or printing a physical boarding pass. The availability of 24/7 live customer service and seating that meets Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) safety guidelines were also basic services that the consumer coalition urged DOT to require airlines to provide, fee-free. 

“No matter what type of ticket you bought, you should not have to worry if your airplane seat meets FAA safety guidance or if you can receive drinking water on a long flight,” said NCL Public Policy Manager Eden Iscil. “Offering affordable fares is great, but that does not justify skimping on basic consumer protections, especially when it comes to our health and safety. DOT is the only agency in the country with a mandate to regulate these issues. If it doesn’t step in, no one else will.” 

The full comments submitted by NCL, the American Economic Liberties Project (AELP), Consumer Action, Consumer Federation of America (CFA), FlyersRights, Travelers United, and the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (U.S. PIRG) can be found here

Further reading: 

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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 Child Labor Coalition announces the 2024 Congressional Champions of Child Labor Protections for taking bold action against child labor exploitation

October 31, 2024

Contact: Reid Maki (202) 207-2820, reidm@nclnet.org

WASHINGTON, DC – The Child Labor Coalition (CLC) is proud to announce the 25 recipients of the 2024 Congressional Champions of Child Labor Protections who have taken a stand against the troubling rise of child labor exploitation during the 118th Congress. During a period in which child workers were increasingly found working illegally in factory settings across the U.S., these legislators responded by strengthening child labor protections – either by introducing new legislation or cosponsoring child labor bills endorsed by the Child Labor Coalition.

“Over the last two years, child labor protections have faced unprecedented threats as over 30 states sought to weaken regulations on the hours children can work and the types of hazardous work children can perform,” says Reid Maki, Director of Child Labor Advocacy at the Child Labor Coalition.

“We are fortunate these stalwart lawmakers worked to strengthen child labor protections and enforcement,” says CLC chair Sally Greenberg, who is also the CEO of the National Consumers League. “These bills provide creative and much-needed solutions to our widespread child labor problem.”

Recent Department of Labor data show child labor violations have soared by 472% between 2015 and 2023, highlighting cases where minors are subjected to grueling hours, hazardous work environments, and, in some tragic cases, loss of limbs and fatalities. Against this backdrop, these 25 Congressional Champions have supported legislation aimed at protecting child laborers and ensuring compliance with federal child labor laws.

Congress responded robustly with at least eight pieces of legislation addressing child labor that the CLC has endorsed. “Much of this legislation would significantly increase civil monetary fines for child labor violations – not just by a little, but often by a factor of 10,” says CLC’s Maki. “We saw several innovative and comprehensive responses in bills like “Children Harmed in Life-Threatening or Dangerous (CHILD) Labor Act of 2023, by Senator Casey (D-PA) and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT). Similarly, H.R. 4440, the “Protecting Children Act” by Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA), called for innovative and sweeping strategies against child labor.

Congress also sought to protect exploited child farmworkers with “The Children’s Act for Responsible Employment and Farm Safety,” introduced by Raul Ruiz (D-CA) in the House and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) in the Senate. “This was the first Senate bill to protect vulnerable child farmworkers in two decades,” said Maki.

Child labor on U.S. tobacco farms would be banned by the “Children Don’t Belong on Tobacco Farms Act,” from Senator Durbin and Rep. DeLauro.  “Child tobacco workers are subjected to toxic nicotine levels while they work. We’re so grateful that Senator Durbin (D-IL) and Rep. DeLauro (D-CT) are trying to tackle this long-standing problem,” said Greenberg.

The CLC, representing 36 dedicated organizations, including Human Rights Watch and America’s largest union, the National Education Association, has named seven Senators and 18 members of the House Representatives as the 2024 Congressional Champions of Child Labor Protections.

We are recognizing five members of the Senate for introducing legislation to improve child labor enforcement efforts or increase child labor protections:

  • Corey Booker (D-NJ)
  • Robert Casey (D-PA)
  • Richard Durbin (D-IL)
  • Ben Ray Luján (D-NM)
  • Brian Schatz (D-HI)

Two senators are recognized for cosponsoring at least three bills endorsed by the CLC:

  • Richard Blumenthal (D-CT)
  • Jack Reed (D-RI)

In the House, the CLC recognizes six members for introducing child labor legislation endorsed by the coalition:

  • Greg Casar (D-TX)
  • Rosa DeLauro (D-CT)
  • Dan Kildee (D-MI)
  • Raul Ruiz (D-CA)
  • Hillary Scholten (D-MI)
  • Bobby Scott (D-VA)

The coalition also recognizes 12 members for each cosponsoring five child labor five bills. These members are:

  • Alma Adams (D-NC)
  • Judy Chu (D-CA)
  • Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA)
  • Jesus “Chuy” Garcia (D-IL)
  • Seth Magaziner (D-RI)
  • Morgan McGarvey (D-KY)
  • James McGovern (D-MA)
  • Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC)
  • Mark Pocan (D-WI)
  • Linda Sanchez (D-CA)
  • Jan Schakowsky (D-IL)
  • Shri Thanedar (D-MI)

The CLC’s endorsed child labor legislation in the 118th Congress can be found here. The congressional session also saw the creation of the Child Labor Prevention Task Force, under the leadership of Rep. Dan Kildee (D-MI) and Hillary Scholten (D-MI). “We very much hope to see this important legislative unit continue its work in the 119th Congress,” said Maki. “We encourage other members to join the Task Force and to lend their support to child labor legislation.”

The CLC looks forward to working with many of these congressional child labor heroes in the 119th Congress.

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About The Child Labor Coalition (CLC)

In its 35th year, The Child Labor Coalition strives to reduce exploitative child labor in the United States and abroad, bringing together 36 groups to create a powerful voice that promotes public education, research, and advocacy to end child labor, child marriage, and child trafficking.

A member list can be found 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.

NCL issues statement on New York Times health article on Alzheimer’s trials

October 29, 2024

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

WASHINGTON, DC – NCL’s Health Director, Robin Strongin, released the following statement regarding Walt Bogdanich and Carson Kessler’s October 23 article, Health Section, New York Times, “What Drugmakers Did Not Tell Volunteers in Alzheimer’s Trials,” which reported that pharmaceutical companies withheld genetic testing information from volunteers in Alzheimer’s trials putting them at risk for brain bleeds.

“Medical research is complex and by its very nature involves risk. For a devastating disease like Alzheimer’s, consumers may be willing to take more of a risk in the hope of finding a treatment or a cure – if not for themselves, then for future generations.

We appreciate that researchers don’t know the full risk of a drug until tested, we are aware that genetic information can lead to certain types of discrimination, and we also understand that standards of care to disclose and not disclose information depend on multi-faceted decision points. Consumers have an absolute right to know what risks they face, including what information may be withheld, so they can make an informed decision before participating in a clinical trial—including when to opt out.

The scientific advances we witness today bring hope. Along with that hope comes the responsibility to be vigilant and assess and reassess what these advances mean for those willing to participate in clinical trials. It is imperative that we balance the integrity of clinical trials with the safety and protection of research participants.

NCL is increasingly concerned about the outsized role private equity plays in the sacred trust relationship between the research subject and the researcher. Institutional Review Boards must strive to regularly revisit their practices to reassure consumers that they, and the institutions in which research is conducted, are ethical and safe and provide all the information necessary to make truly informed decisions. It is never acceptable to put profits before safety. Clinical trials require numerous parties to come together and tackle the most vexing research challenges.

NCL calls upon all of those involved, including journalists, to provide balanced information that genuinely educate, and not terrify, the public. The last thing we want to happen is to further erode the public’s trust in science. We must all work together to safely, and ethically, find cures to dreaded diseases.”

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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.

Nation’s oldest consumer advocacy organization celebrates its 125th anniversary and will present annual awards to DOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Consumer Investigative Reporter Anna Werner, and One Fair Wage President Saru Jayaraman on Tuesday, October 15

October 15, 2024

Media contact: National Consumers League – Lisa McDonald, lisam@nclnet.org, 202-207-2829

Washington, DC—The National Consumers League (NCL), the nation’s pioneering consumer and worker advocacy organization since 1899, has announced it will honor U.S. Department of Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and Anna Werner, Senior Consumer Investigative Correspondent, CBS News with its highest honor, the Trumpeter Award, on Tuesday, October 15 in Washington, DC. 

This year also marks the 125th anniversary of the National Consumers League. The League has advocated for the rights and protections of consumers and workers in the U.S. since it was founded in 1899. From improving the wages and working conditions of laborers to expanding the access to healthcare for all Americans, NCL has achieved significant progress and meaningful changes to the lives of everyday consumers. 

“For 125 years, NCL has been the unwavering voice for consumers and workers,” said NCL CEO Sally Greenberg. “Our legacy is a testament to the power of collective action—from the early work of our founders to the accomplishments of our colleagues, allies, and partner organizations. I am deeply proud of what we have been able to accomplish all these years.” 

In addition to the Trumpeter Award, NCL will honor One Fair Wage Founder and President Saru Jayaraman with the 2024 Florence Kelley Consumer Leadership Award, named for NCL’s first general secretary and one of the most influential figures in 20th century American history. Saru has advocated for fair wages for restaurant workers and other service workers.  

MEDIA ADVISORY 

What: National Consumers League’s 2024 Trumpeter Awards
When: Tuesday, October 15, 2024, 7 pm Presentation of Awards
Where: Mayflower Hotel DC, 1127 Connecticut Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20036

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, has been honoring visionaries in consumer and worker protection with its annual Trumpeter Award since 1973. Past honorees include Senator Ted Kennedy, the award’s inaugural recipient; as well as organized labor leaders Cecil E. Roberts and Richard L. Trumka; Senators Tammy Duckworth and Jon Corzine; journalists Jane Bryant Quinn and Michelle Singletary; U.S. Representative John Lewis; and other honored consumer and labor leaders. 

Last year’s Trumpeter recipients were Former Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and California Attorney General Rob Bonta. Fraidy Reiss, child marriage survivor and activist, was recipient of the Florence Kelley Consumer Leadership Award.  

This year’s Trumpeter Awards will feature a reception, dinner, and speaking appearances by NCL leadership, honorees, as well as:  

  •  Susan Hogan, NBC News4 Consumer Investigative Reporter 
  • Ken Biberaj, Executive Managing Director, Savills, and Host, Coffee with Ken 
  • Jayne O’Donnell, Founder and CEO, Youthcast Media Group and Former USA TODAY Consumer and Health Policy Reporter 
  • Brianne Nadeau, DC Councilmember, Ward 1 
  • NCL Board President Jon Leibowitz, Federal Trade Commission (retired) 
  • NCL Board Secretary Sharon White-Páez, Potomac Waves Media 
  • NCL Board Member Joi Chaney, J.O.I. Strategies 
  • NCL Chief Executive Officer Sally Greenberg 

 To learn more, visit NCL Trumpeter Awards. 

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About the National Consumers League 

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. 

Sally Greenberg, NCL CEO, receives HerMANA award

September 26, 2024

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

WASHINGTON, DC – National Consumers League CEO Sally Greenberg was awarded the prestigious HerMANA award by MANA at the AT&T Forum on September 26 in Washington, DC. MANA is a national Latina grassroots membership organization founded in 1974 with a mission to strengthen Latinas through mentoring, education, and advocacy. It is one of the leading Latina voices on many of the key issues in the public sphere, with a focus on education, health and well-being, financial literacy, equal and civil rights, and immigration reform.

Greenberg was honored in recognition of her commitment to inclusivity and advocacy on behalf of consumers. NCL has been in a long-term partnership with MANA particularly in the areas of health equity and financial health.

Past HerMANA awardees include FCC Chairwoman, The Honorable Jessica Rosenworcel; Rosa Rosales, former National President of the League of the United Latin American Citizens; Congresswoman Nanette Barragan, Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus; Bonnie Erbe of PBS’ To the Contrary; Maria Cardona of the Dewey Square Group, and many others.

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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.

Harris Poll sounds alarm on financial literacy gap

September 24, 2024

Media contact: National Consumers League – Lisa McDonald, lisam@nclnet.org, 202-207-2829

WASHINGTON, DC – The National Consumers League (NCL), founder of LifeSmarts, one of the premier youth consumer education programs in the country, is sounding the alarm on the urgent need for better financial education. Recent findings of an independent survey by The Harris Poll, recently commissioned by FICO, revealed a starling reality: over 74% of Americans think their current financial situation would improve if they had access to more personal finance resources and education, and 79% percent of Americans believe high schools should offer financial education. See the FICO study here.

“We are deeply concerned that one out of four younger Americans do not consider themselves to be financially literate,” says Sally Greenberg, NCL’s CEO. “We can guarantee any student who experiences the LifeSmarts curriculum and competes at our state and national championships will be better equipped to navigate financial decision-making throughout their adulthood.”

NCL has seen firsthand how concerns about financial stability can be addressed directly through creative programming offered through schools and community organizations, and the private and public sectors can do more to address the financial literacy gap. We literally can’t afford, as a nation, to wait until children become adults to start teaching them how to manage their finances,” says Greenberg. “They need to build their knowledge base, which will give them the power to control and take charge of the many financial decisions they will be called upon to make in adulthood. Our LifeSmarts stands ready to help in any way we can.”

NCL commends FICO for conducting this important research and for its leadership on financial literacy via its Score a Better Future and Score a Better Future Fundamentals program.  Key components of the Fundamentals curriculum have been incorporated into the LifeSmarts program, which serves more than 125,000 students and 3,000 educators around the country each year.

This October, NCL’s LifeSmarts curriculum will focus on credit education, which is one of the most  critical components of financial literacy. The new research finds that while nearly two-thirds of Gen Z adults (61%) believe their credit score is a fair representation of their overall financial health, fewer than half (46%) of young adults have checked their credit score in the past year. Nearly one in four (24%) are not sure where to find this information. A similar percentage (28%) say they lack the tools or knowledge to improve their credit score.

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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.

About LifeSmarts
The National Consumers League’s (NCL) youth consumer education program, LifeSmarts, was established in 1993 and today serves more than 125,000 middle and high school students and 3,000 educators across the country. Through LifeSmarts, students learn about real-life consumer issues in five topic areas: Health & Safety, Consumer Rights & Responsibilities, Personal Finance, Technology & Workforce Preparation, and the Environment. They compete to win prizes and scholarships at the Varsity National LifeSmarts Championships in April each year and the Junior Varsity National LifeSmarts Championship in May. NCL LifeSmarts is active in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

About the FICO survey

This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of FICO from August 27-29, 2024, among 2,092 U.S. adults ages 18 and older. Gen Z respondents were 18-27 years old; Millennials were 28-43 years old; Gen Xers were 44-59 years old; and Baby Boomers were 60-78 years old. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval. For this study, the sample data is accurate to within +/- 2.5 percentage points using a 95% confidence level. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables and subgroup sample sizes, please contact press@fico.com.

 

National Consumers League statement on FTC action against Big Three PBMs

September 20, 2024

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

WASHINGTON, DC – The National Consumers League (NCL), America’s pioneering consumer advocacy organization, today applauds the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for bringing action against the three largest prescription drug benefit managers (PBMs) and affiliated group purchasing organizations (GPOs). The FTC’s administrative complaint states that PBMs have engaged in anticompetitive and unfair rebate practices, inflating the list prices of insulin, lining their pockets, and transferring the costs to patients.

The following statement is attributable to NCL’s Chief Executive Officer Sally Greenberg:

“We applaud the FTC for its continued actions and investigation into PBMs. This latest action reinforces the role PBMs play in creating consumers high out-of-pocket costs of medicines consumers face. Caremark Rx, Express Scripts, and OptumRX administer four-fifths of all prescriptions within the states, and prioritizing their profits over the patients’ wellbeing directly impact why 25 percent of insulin patients are unable to afford their medication.”

The FTC’s press release about the administrative complaint can be read 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.