National Consumers League salutes outgoing Consumer Federation of American Executive Director Jack Gillis on his 38 years of service to consumers

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November 19, 2021

Media contact: National Consumers League – Carol McKay, carolm@nclnet.org or (412) 945-3242

Washington, DC—The National Consumers League salutes Jack Gillis on his 38 years of service to the consumer movement; Gillis has announced his retirement as Executive Director of the Consumer Federation of America.

“The National Consumers League’s Board of Directors and staff salute Jack Gillis and thank him for his decades of service and marvelous career dedicated to improving the lives of consumers,” said Jenny Backus, Pastor Herrera, Susanna Montezemolo, and Debbie Berlyn, NCL board members who have known and worked with Jack over the years. “He has made us all proud to be consumer advocates. We will miss his leadership and know the consumer movement is forever changed because of his dedication and commitment.”

Jack Gillis is also a well published author, co-author, and editor of 75 consumer books including The Car Book, published for 40 consecutive years. He served for 10 years as a contributing consumer correspondent for NBC’s Today Show representing CFA, was Good Housekeeping’s personal finance columnist, and was a child product safety columnist at Child Magazine.”

Gillis has been with CFA since 1983, serving as Director of Public Affairs and, since 2018, as Executive Director. “Jack Gillis has been a leader, mentor, and friend to several generations of consumer advocates. Jack’s vision for consumer issues is legendary, and he is known to the Washington establishment – members of Congress, regulators, and public interest advocates alike — as the face of consumer advocacy. Jack spearheaded CFA’s leadership on a wide variety of consumer issues, including auto safety, financial services, housing, privacy, food, and product safety issues,” said Sally Greenberg, NCL’s Executive Director. “Jack always had a ready ear, provided support and sound advice to me and countless others toiling in the grapevines on behalf of consumers. It’s a tough line of work and we will miss his camaraderie and friendship.  We wish him well in this exciting new chapter of life.”

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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.

National Consumers League statement on the passage of the INFORM Consumers Act

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November 17, 2021

Media contact: National Consumers League – Carol McKay, carolm@nclnet.org or (412) 945-3242

Washington, DC—The National Consumers League (NCL), America’s pioneering consumer advocacy organization, today applauded the House Committee on Energy and Commerce for its vote to report out H.R. 5502, the Integrity, Notification, and Fairness in Online Retail Marketplaces for Consumers (INFORM Consumers) Act.

The following statement is attributable to NCL’s Vice President of Public Policy, Telecommunications, and Fraud John Breyault:

Over the past 20 months, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the important role that online sales platforms play in connecting consumers to the marketplace. As consumers have flocked to these marketplaces, the need for these platforms to better address unsafe products, counterfeiting, and the policing of third-party sellers has become ever more urgent.

Providing consumers with basic information about whom they are buying products from and how to contact the company is a cornerstone of consumer protection. We strongly support Congresswoman Schakowsky’s and Congressman Bilirakis’ bipartisan bill and urge the full House of Representatives to swiftly approve this legislation.

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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.

National Consumers League launches FactsAboutRecycling.org to inform consumers about recyclability, sustainability of food and beverage packaging

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November 15, 2021

Media contact: National Consumers League – Carol McKay, carolm@nclnet.org or (412) 945-3242

Washington, DC—Today, on America Recycles Day, National Consumers League (NCL) launched FactsAboutRecycling.org, an information hub where consumers can learn more about what actually happens to the food and beverage packaging they toss in the recycling bin. The new site houses an animated video to help explain the recycling system, correct misinformation proliferated through marketing, and educate and empower consumers to make environmentally sustainable purchases.

“Just because something can be put in the recycling bin doesn’t mean it will truly end up being recycled,” said Sally Greenberg, NCL’s executive director. “Consumers deserve to know the truth about the sustainability of their purchases, so they can make the most informed decisions possible.”

Building upon NCL’s sustainability and honesty-in-marketing work over the past year, including infographics, podcasts, and a white paper entitled Examining Sustainability, Consumer Choice, and Confusion in Food and Beverage Packaging, FactsAboutRecycling.org gives consumers and environmental advocates fresh insight into the true sustainability of plastic, glass, metal, and cartons.

“Misleading marketing claims don’t just harm consumers; they can harm the environment and exacerbate the ongoing plastic pollution crisis. Better information will support smarter purchasing,” said Greenberg.

For more information, visit www.FactsAboutRecycling.org.

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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.

NCL applauds FDA nomination of Robert Califf

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November 15, 2021

Media contact: National Consumers League – Carol McKay, carolm@nclnet.org or (412) 945-3242

Washington, DC—The National Consumers League extends congratulations to Dr. Robert Califf for his nomination to serve as Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. As COVID-19 persists and the nation continues to face unprecedented public health challenges, consumers rely on the FDA to ensure the safety and efficacy of our food and prescription drug supply.

NCL Executive Director Sally Greenberg weighed in with the following statement:

“NCL welcomes Dr. Robert Califf to the important role as Commissioner of the FDA. We have worked with Dr. Califf during previous administrations and can attest that he brings a longstanding commitment to FDA’s crucial role of overseeing the nation’s food and drug industry as well as medical devices and cosmetics. Dr. Califf has a long list of priorities ahead of him, and it is our hope that we can look forward to working with him on matters of consumer protection.

Among NCL’s consumer safety concerns is the proliferation of unregulated CBD products in the marketplace, encouraging confidence in vaccines for the prevention of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases, ensuring accurate food and nutrition labeling information for consumers, and making prescription drugs accessible and affordable for all Americans.

NCL worked productively with Dr. Califf during his previous appointment as FDA commissioner, and we look forward to continuing to serve as a resource to the FDA under his leadership to ensure that both patient and consumer protection remain the highest priority.”

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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.

NCL applauds approval of the pediatric COVID-19 vaccine

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November 2, 2021

Media contact: National Consumers League – Carol McKay, carolm@nclnet.org or (412) 945-3242

Washington, DC—The National Consumers League (NCL) applauds the coordinated efforts of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to approve the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11. Consumers should be reassured that an unbiased advisory committee composed of medical and scientific experts have reviewed the data and have held public meetings to provide Americans with a transparent approval process.

“NCL is committed to educating consumers about vaccine safety and efficacy in order to increase vaccine confidence. Every day, parents make tough decisions to keep their children safe. We want parents to feel informed and empowered in their decision to vaccinate their children. As a parent of two boys ages 8 and 10, I’m looking forward to being able to protect my children from COVID-19 and put this pandemic behind us,” said NCL Director of Health Policy Jeanette Contreras.

Parents and guardians are encouraged to use the CDC’s V-Safe mobile app to tell the CDC about any side effects experienced after getting vaccinated. Parents will be able to add dependents to their account and get reminders if you need an additional dose. Register here: https://vsafe.cdc.gov/

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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.

NCL offers support for Star Rating for Biosimilars Act, H.R. 2855

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October 13, 2021

Media contact: National Consumers League – Carol McKay, carolm@nclnet.org or (724) 799-5392

Washington, DC—The National Consumers League (NCL) is pleased to support the Star Rating for Biosimilars Act, as introduced by Representatives Paul D. Tonko (D-NY) and Bob Gibbs (R-OH). NCL believes that implementing a rating system for biosimilars would incentivize insurers to provide lower cost drug alternatives and alleviate the financial burdens on patients.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) currently has a star ratings system for insurance plans under Medicare Advantage and Part D. The quality measures capture items such as clinical quality, beneficiary satisfaction, patient outcomes, and regulatory compliance. This rating system helps the CMS evaluate which plans to keep and discontinue. To date, we do not have a comparable rating system where biosimilars are concerned. “Biosimilars are on average 30 percent cheaper than their biologic counterparts, yet many existing barriers in our current healthcare plans prevent patients from accessing these cost-saving medicines,” said NCL Director of Health Policy Jeanette Contreras.

The Star Ratings for Biosimilars Act would require the CMS to put in place a five-star performance rating system for biosimilar products under Medicare Advantage Plans. For each plan, the ratings will be based on quality measures meant to evaluate the level of access that each insurance plan provides to biosimilars, such as whether a biosimilar is on the formulary, and the percentage of enrollees prescribed a biosimilar when its biologic counterpart is available. Aside from Advantage Plans, the bill would also require the CMS to incorporate these measures into a similar rating system for plans under the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit.

The NCL believes in transparency as a core function of informed decision-making. Knowing whether cost saving biosimilars would be available to enrollees under various Medicare (including the Medicare Advantage plans) and Part D plans would bring in more transparency to help consumers be more informed when selecting a plan. “Allowing consumers to see which plans are offering access to lower cost biosimilars would also incentivize Medicare plans to increase patient access to biosimilars,” said Contreras. We encourage Congress to pass the Star Rating for Biosimilars Act in order to broaden access to and encourage increased provision of cost-saving biosimilars.

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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.

Watchdog group to present annual awards to incoming CFPB Director Chopra, Michigan Governor and AG, and SEIU Local 2015 President Verrett on Tuesday, 10/12

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October 11, 2021

Media contact: National Consumers League – Carol McKay, carolm@nclnet.org or (724) 799-5392

Washington, DC—The National Consumers League (NCL), the nation’s pioneering consumer and worker advocacy organization, will honor Rohit Chopra, incoming Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, and Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, with its highest honor, the Trumpeter Award, on Tuesday, October 12 in Washington, DC.

In addition to the Trumpeter Award, NCL will honor April Verrett, President of Service Employees International Union Local 2015 in Los Angeles, with the 2021 Florence Kelley Consumer Leadership Award, named for NCL’s first general secretary and one of the most influential figures in 20th Century American history.

MEDIA ADVISORY

What: National Consumers League’s 2021 Trumpeter Awards
When: Tuesday, October 12, 2021 | 7 pm Dinner and Presentation of Awards
Where: The Mayflower Hotel | Grand Ballroom | 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 Labor Secretaries Hilda Solis, Robert Reich, and Alexis Herman, Senators Carl Levin and Paul Wellstone, Delores Huerta of the United Farm Workers, U.S. Representative John Lewis, and other honored consumer and labor leaders.

Last year’s Trumpeter recipients were Federal Communications Commission Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel and journalist Vicky Nguyen. Attorney General for the District of Columbia Karl Racine 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 and the honorees, as well as:

  • Maria Cardona, CNN Commentator & Principal of Dewey Square Group
  • Former FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz
  • Grace Whiting, President and CEO of the National Alliance for Caregiving
  • Karl Racine, Attorney General of the District of Columbia
  • NCL Board Chair Dominique Warren, Deputy Director of Government Relations at Service Employees International Union

To learn more, visit nclnet.org/trumpeter_awards.

Due to COVID restrictions, attendance at this event is limited. Members of the media may inquire about attendance options by contacting Carol McKay, (724) 799-5392.

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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.

National Consumers League applauds Senate confirmation of Alex Hoehn-Saric as CPSC Chair

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October 8, 2021

Media contact: National Consumers League – Carol McKay, carolm@nclnet.org, (412) 945-3242

Washington, DC—The National Consumers League (NCL) applauds action by the U.S. Senate on Thursday confirming Alexander Hoehn-Saric as Chair and Commissioner of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Hoehn-Saric brings extensive experience to the role, serving most recently as Chief Counsel for the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. He has served on Senate committees as well as on the staff of former Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) when she served on the Commerce Committee. Hoehn-Saric’s experience with and support of consumer product safety protections is longstanding.

“We congratulate Mr. Hoehn-Saric on his recent confirmation as Chair of the CPSC and look forward to working with him. Product safety is of critical importance to American families and essential to the safety of children of all ages. CPSC’s charge is to ensure that consumer products meet basic safety standards and are well designed. CPSC must also act to protect consumers from the hazards posed by unsafe products,” said NCL Executive Director Sally Greenberg. “We think Hoehn-Saric will fulfill this leadership role well.”

NCL also appreciates the longstanding dedication of Acting Chairman Robert Adler, who has served in the role of chair since 2017 and spent many years before that as commissioner.

“The CPSC conducted critically important recalls during his tenure and issued important research about product safety before and during the COVID 19 pandemic, with Adler at the helm,” said Greenberg.

Going forward, we urge the U.S. Senate to move swiftly to confirm two additional Biden Administration-nominated CPSC commissioners, Mary Boyle and Richard Trumka Jr. “A full complement of commissioners at the CPSC will enable the agency to address the many product safety issues on its agenda and resolve differences in consumers’ favor when it comes to stronger product safety enforcement,” said Greenberg.

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.

NCL supports the Helping Adults Protect Immunity (HAPI) Act

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September 30, 2021

Media contact: National Consumers League – Carol McKay, carolm@nclnet.org, (412) 945-3242

Washington, DC—The National Consumers League (NCL) is pleased to support the Helping Adults Protect Immunity (HAPI) Act (HR 2170), introduced by Representative Darren Soto (D-FL) in the House and by Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) in the Senate. The bill would expand access to immunizations for adults by eliminating cost-sharing for vaccines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).

“Throughout its rich history, NCL has advocated for increased access to vaccines as life-saving medical interventions. The HAPI Act is common sense legislation that would help to eliminate out-of-pocket costs for all vaccines recommended by the ACIP,” said NCL Director of Health Policy Jeanette Contreras. This legislation would apply to crucial immunizations such as Shingles and tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis vaccines, along with future vaccines.

NCL is grateful for the important role of the ACIP to make recommendations using evidence-based research methods, examining the harm-benefit ratio, and understanding the values of the affected populations. Currently, all ACIP and CDC recommended vaccines are covered with no out-of-pocket costs under private insurance, Medicare Part B, and ACA Medicaid Expansion. Unfortunately, traditional Medicaid beneficiaries must often pay varying out-of-pocket costs for recommended vaccines depending on the state.

More than 50,000 adults in the United States die annually from vaccine preventable deaths. The HAPI Act would help to lower that number significantly by providing more vaccine access to Medicaid beneficiaries, our most vulnerable low-income populations. “No one should be unable to obtain a vaccine due to cost barriers. We can ensure that all Americans are protected against preventable diseases regardless of their state of residence or their ability to pay,” said Contreras.

NCL urges Congress to pass the HAPI Act to ensure Medicaid beneficiaries across the country have  equitable access to recommended vaccines across lifespan.

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.

NCL applauds Senate confirmation of Rohit Chopra as CFPB Director

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September 30, 2021

Media contact: National Consumers League – Carol McKay, carolm@nclnet.org, (412) 945-3242

Washington, DC—The National Consumers League (NCL), America’s pioneering consumer and worker advocacy organization, today applauded the U.S. Senate for its confirmation of Rohit Chopra to serve as the next Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).  

A true champion for consumer protection, Chopra has worked to promote the public interest throughout his career — as he supported Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) in her efforts to establish the CFPB and, later, as he fought against predatory and fraudulent business practices as a Commissioner at the Federal Trade Commission.  

The following statement is attributable to Sally Greenberg, NCL’s Executive Director: 

“Rohit Chopra is a consumer champion in every sense of the word. His confirmation as Director of the CFPB could not come at a more important time for America. He helped stand up the Bureau in the depth of the Great Recession, when banks’ predatory practices had brought our economy to its knees. He now takes over as CFPB Director at a time when far too many consumers are being forced by the global pandemic to make painful economic choices.  

“His extensive experience and passion for protecting consumers is today especially needed. Via our Fraud.org website, NCL hears daily from victims of the types of scams that the CFPB works to prevent. 

“NCL looks forward to working with Director Chopra to reinvigorate the CFPB and ensure that it fulfills its mission to protect the most vulnerable American consumers.” 

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.