Survey: Increased communication between patients, health care providers leads to better adherence – National Consumers League

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December 18, 2015

Results of the national Script Your Future campaign confirm theories of link between communication, adherence

Contact: NCL Communications, Cindy Hoang, cindyh@nclnet.org, (202) 207-2832

Washington, DC—New research conducted for a national multi-media educational campaign to raise awareness about the importance of medication adherence shows that there are clear benefits and opportunities linked to increased communication between people who take prescription medications and their health care professionals, as well as to the use of tools that make it easier to adhere to medications. Greenberg Quinlan Rosner (GQR) surveyed patients for the Script Your Future campaign, in the campaign’s pilot cities before the campaign launched in 2011, at its midpoint in 2013 and again in 2015.  The new results, released today, demonstrate improvement in communication and adherence, particularly in the campaign’s target market cities.

Bringing together more than 135 stakeholder organizations, Script Your Future hasaimed to help people with chronic conditions—cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease (asthma and COPD), and diabetes—along with their families, caregivers, and health care professionals, to talk more clearly and effectively with each other about adherence. Script Your Future’s national outreach and targeted efforts in six pilot cities have reached millions through hundreds of local events, traditional and social media, educational programs by campaign stakeholders, and the campaign website, www.ScriptYourFuture.org. 

The surveys  in the six pilot cities—from 2011 to the present—show that, while Americans possess a strong awareness and acceptance of the importance of taking medications exactly as prescribed, there are clear benefits and opportunities linked to increased communication between people who take prescription medicines and health care professionals, and use of tools that make it easier to adhere to prescription medicines.

According to the GQR survey data: 

The link between communication and good adherence emerged as important early on in the campaign and continues to be crucial; those who report taking medications better than a year ago also are more likely to experience increased communications by health care professionals over the same time period, while those who report a worse job taking medications say they had seen decreased communications. The increase in communications from pharmacists has been particularly notable. Continuing to work to encourage communications between patients and health care professionals will be an important piece in continuing to promote awareness around adherence to medication.

“We are pleased at the results of this research, which confirm our hypotheses on the importance of good patient-provider communication, and validate the involvement of more than135  organizations that, through their collaboration and support, brought the Script Your Future campaign to life,” said Sally Greenberg, executive director of the National Consumers League, the lead campaign organizer. 

The GQR research also found that those taking medicines in the pilot cities, where the campaign had specific outreach efforts, are significantly more likely than those in a control market to say they are taking their medicines better than in the previous year.

The Script Your Future pilot cities, or target markets, are Baltimore, Md.; Birmingham, Ala.; Cincinnati, Ohio; Providence, RI; Raleigh, NC; and Sacramento, Calif.

Key findings

Some key findings from the surveys of patients in the six pilot cities  include:

  • Americans who take prescription medications report a strong awareness and acceptance of the importance of adhering to their medications. A majority of Americans taking medications (55 percent) strongly agree with the statement “I am convinced that it is important for me to take my medicine.”
  • Self-reported levels of adherence to prescription medications have remained consistently high since 2011. More than 9-out-of-10 people who take prescription medicines (93 percent) now say that they “always” or “almost always” take their medicines exactly as instructed by their doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. This is consistent with the high levels of adherence reported in both 2011 and 2013.
  • Nearly 1-out-of-5 people taking medications in the target markets say they are taking their medicines better than they were a year ago, significantly higher than in the control market. In the control market, just 12 percent of those taking medicines say that they were doing a better job taking their medicine as directed compared to a year ago; in the target markets, 19 percent of patients note that they are doing a better job with their medicines.
  • Better communication between patients and health care professionals connects to better adherence. Those Americans who report taking medications better than a year ago also are more likely to have experienced increased communications with health care professionals during that the same time period. Those who say that they are doing a worse job taking medications report a decrease in communications with health care professionals.
  • Americans taking prescription medicines report an increase in communications with pharmacists in particular. Thirty-nine percent of those who take medications report that pharmacists are now more likely to ask about problems with medications “every time” or “occasionally.” This represents a 6-point increase compared to the campaign’s inception. Importantly, the number of individuals in the target markets who say their pharmacist “never” asks about problems with medications has also decreased since 2011, from 50 percent to 43 percent.

View the: survey brief, full survey report, as well as individual target market analysis:

Baltimore | Birmingham | Cincinnati | Providence | Raleigh | Sacramento

 

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Script Your Future is a campaign of the National Consumers League (NCL), a private, non-profit membership organization founded in 1899. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. The National Consumers League serves consumers across the country by providing government, businesses and other organizations with the consumer’s perspective on a range of concerns – including health care and medication information. As an advocacy organization, NCL is working to educate consumers and key health stakeholders on the importance of taking medication as directed. For more information about this campaign, visit ScriptYourFuture.org, and for more information on our other areas of focus, please visit www.nclnet.org.

NCL statement in support of Congresswoman Pingree’s Food Recovery Act – National Consumers League

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December 18, 2015

Contact: Cindy Hoang, National Consumers League, cindyh@nclnet.org or (202) 207-2832

Washington, DC–In September, the USDA and EPA announced a national commitment to reducing food waste by 50 percent by 2030. However, we are lacking the comprehensive strategies that must be in place and it is hard for stakeholders to know where to start. We are pleased to support Congresswoman Chellie Pingree’s groundbreaking bill, the Food Recovery Act, aimed at reaching this national goal.

The Food Recovery Act (HR H.R.4184)  is organized by four major stakeholder groups; farms, retail and restaurants, schools and institutions, and consumers and local infrastructure. Framing legislation in such a way, presents stakeholders with policy solutions that are relevant and achievable. Solutions include standardizing date labeling, increasing funding for larger-scale state composting, and strengthening the Good Samaritan Food Donation Act, which encourages companies and organizations to donate food by protecting them from criminal and civil liability.

The issue of food waste is real and mounting. It’s easy to get discouraged when confronted with numbers such as: 40 percent of the U.S. food supply is wasted; the average American throws away between $28-433 of food each month; and we could feed 25 million people if we reduced food waste by just 15 percent. The National Consumers League (NCL), along with other non-profit and government groups, are working to address this problem throughout the food supply chain and appreciate initiatives such as the Food Recovery Act from leaders like Congresswoman Pingree. We urge Congress to pass the Food Recovery Act to help move us closer to our 2030 goal. 

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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 statement applauding victory for retirement savers’ protections – National Consumers League

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December 17, 2015

Contact: Cindy Hoang, National Consumers League, cindyh@nclnet.org or (202) 207-2832 

Washington, DC–The National Consumers League (NCL) is celebrating a victory for American workers and retirees with the recent announcement that Congress has reached an agreement on an omnibus funding bill that supports the Department of Labor’s rulemaking to improve retiree protections.  The DOL rule would make financial professionals responsible for meeting basic quality standards by closing loopholes in the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. Financial firms fought bitterly against the rulemaking, but Congress’ Wednesday vote on the funding bill ensures it will take place.

The following statement may be attributed to NCL’s Executive Director Sally Greenberg:

“We applaud Congress’ decision to stand up to special interests and protect the workers and retirees who would have been hurt by this omnibus funding bill had the previous version been passed. These people deserve to feel secure about their lifelong savings and retirement funds.”

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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.

U.S. consumer groups slam GM for failing to put safety technologies in cars sold in developing countries – National Consumers League

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December 11, 2015

Washington, DC—Four national consumer advocacy organizations – Consumers Union, Public Citizen, Advocates For Highway and Auto Safety, and National Consumers League – are asking General Motors CEO Mary Barra to address the glaring absence of basic safety equipment – like seat belts – in GM cars sold in Latin American in a letter sent this week. The letter stated:

“We were surprised and disappointed to learn of the poor performance of General Motors (GM) in auto safety tests conducted by the New Car Assessment Programme for Latin America and the Caribbean (Latin NCAP). These results are directly related to GM’s failure to provide the same safety technologies on cars sold in Latin America as the company provides as standard equipment in cars sold in the US market. We are specifically referring to basic safety features, such as airbags, but also newer life-saving technologies like electronic stability control and pre-tensioned seat belts, all of which are fitted as standard on GM vehicles in the US.”

The American consumer groups’ letter came in response to the Nov. 16 release of crash test safety results by the New Car Assessment Programme for Latin America and the Carribbean (Latin NCAP). In those tests, GM’s Chevrolet Aveo, the best-selling car in Mexico that is sold throughout Latin America, scored zero stars for protecting adults and only two stars for protecting child passengers. Latin NCAP described the model as demonstrating a “high risk of life-threatening injuries.”

Latin NCAP tested the basic version of the Aveo, which is sold in Latin America without airbags. Despite recent commitments from GM to become an industry leader on safety, Chevrolet has performed consistently poorly in Latin NCAP tests over a number of years, and ranks 8th out of 11 leading car manufacturers in the region. Only three Chinese brands averaged worse scores over a five-year period of Latin NCAP tests.

The groups’ letter noted: 

“Auto safety cannot only be for citizens living in wealthy countries; yet GM’s practice of providing some consumers with the best safety technologies, while not even providing airbags to others, strikes us as a morally indefensible decision.”  …. [I]n your capacity as CEO you have stated your commitment to auto safety technologies and doing right by consumers, and we think this is an issue that deserves your attention.”

The four American groups are aligned with Consumers International (CI) in calling for universal adoption of minimum United Nations Vehicle safety regulations by governments and voluntary compliance by car manufacturers as soon as possible. Cars scoring zero in NCAP tests fail these internationally recognized minimum safety standards.

Research commissioned by Global NCAP found that more than 380,000 deaths and serious injuries could be prevented by 2030 in Brazil alone if it adopted key UN regulations within a reasonable timeframe.

According to the World Health Organization:

  • 1.3 million people died and 50 million people were injured on roads in 2013. Unsafe cars are a major contributor to this statistic. Fifty percent of those affected were vehicle occupants. This disparity in access to safety technologies has real consequences, and contributes to unacceptable burden of road crash deaths and injuries highlighted by the World Health Organization and referenced by Consumers International in its letter. 
  • Road traffic deaths are now the 9th biggest killer globally, and are predicted to become the 7th biggest killer worldwide by 2030 unless urgent action is taken.

The groups also told Barra, “As CEO, you can demonstrate to all consumers concern for their safety and play a leading role in ensuring all vehicles comply with these safety standards regardless of where they are sold.” 

Photos of the test results are included below. 

 

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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.

Letter to Cordray calling on CFPB to investigate T-Mobile for abusive debt collection – National Consumers League

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December 10, 2015

The Honorable Richard Cordray
Director
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
1700 G Street, NW
Washington, DC 20552

Dear Director Cordray:

As Executive Director of the National Consumers League, I wish to call your attention to a matter that might be of concern to your agency. A group named Change to Win (“CtW”) has recently issued a report alleging abusive debt collection practices by wireless carrier T-Mobile.[1]

NCL has reviewed some of the findings in the CtW report and while we haven’t done our own investigation, we think the matters discussed in the report warrant a close look by the CFPB. In particular, we are concerned with allegations, based on a review of consumer complaints and analysis of the company’s advertising, that T-Mobile may have engaged in the following business practices:

  • Targeting low income communities and communities of color with potentially deceptive advertising; and
  • Potentially abusive debt collection practices.

NCL is concerned that, if true and left unchecked, these business practices could become commonplace throughout the entire wireless industry. We also note that T-Mobile objects to the findings of the CtW report and argues that they are inaccurate.[2]

This makes it all the more important for the CFPB – as the expert agency with jurisdiction over consumer financial products – to review the evidence and determine whether CtW’s allegations have merit. If they do, we suggest the Bureau take steps to address any conduct that runs afoul of the Bureau’s regulatory scheme and/or consumer protection laws.

Thank you for your attention to our concerns.

Sincerely,

Sally Greenberg
Executive Director
National Consumers League

 

[1] Change to Win. “Groups Call for Federal Investigation into T-Mobile’s Deceptive Advertising and Abusive Debt Collection Policies,” Press Release. December 8, 2015. Online: https://callingouttmobile.com/press-room/

[2] Wang, Jules. “Legere attacks USA TODAY for reporting on alegations against T-Mobile,” Pocketnow. December 8, 2015. Online: https://pocketnow.com/2015/12/08/t-mobile-allegations

Groups call on General Motors to increase safety of cars sold overseas – National Consumers League

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December 4, 2015

Mary Barra
Chief Executive Officer
General Motors
300 Renaissance Centre
Detroit, MI 48265, 

Re: GM adding same safety technology to all vehicles made and sold anywhere per UN Car Safety Regulations

Dear Ms. Barra: 

We write as American consumer organizations with a history of working on auto safety. We wish to reference the recent letter you received from Consumers International, which is attached here.

We were surprised and disappointed to learn from our consumer colleagues in Latin America of the poor performance of General Motors’ (GM)  in auto safety tests conducted by the New Car Assessment Programme for Latin America and the Caribbean (Latin NCAP). These results are directly related to GM’s failure to provide the same safety technologies on cars sold in Latin America as the company provides as standard equipment in cars sold in the US market. We are specifically referring to basic safety features, such as airbags, but also newer life-saving technologies like electronic stability control and pre-tensioned seat belts, all of which are fitted as standard on GM vehicles in the US.

Indeed, the Chevrolet Aveo received a zero rating in Latin NCAP’s most recent independent crash test results, and was described as representing a “high risk of life threatening injury” in Latin America. In addition, the Chevrolet brand has shown the poorest performance of all the major global car manufacturers tested by Latin NCAP since 2010.  The basic model of the Aveo available to consumers in Latin American countries – such as Mexico (where the car is both manufactured and the top-selling model)- lacks even basic safety features, such as airbags, putting occupants at great risk. We find that information shocking.

As American consumers, we appreciate the enhanced protections these technologies provide in saving lives and preventing injuries in the US. But we find it hard to fathom that GM would not provide all consumers – no matter where they live around the world – with these same protective technologies.

Auto safety cannot only be for citizens living in wealthy countries; yet GM’s practice of providing some consumers with the best safety technologies, while not even providing airbags to others, strikes us as a morally indefensible decision. Ms. Barra, GM is not alone in this practice, but in your capacity as CEO you have stated your commitment to auto safety technologies and doing right by consumers, and we think this is an issue that deserves your attention.

Just last month, on the occasion of the 2nd Global High Level Conference on Road Safety, governments from around the world adopted a declaration for all new motor vehicles to meet minimum safety regulations:

“Promote the adoption of policies and measures to implement United Nations vehicle safety regulations or equivalent national standards to ensure that all new motor vehicles meet applicable minimum regulations for occupant and other road users protection, with seat belts, air bags and active safety systems such as anti-lock braking system (ABS) and electronic stability control (ESC) fitted as standard.”

At this propitious time, we are calling on each of the world’s largest car manufacturers to commit to comply with the UN Vehicle Safety regulations for all new cars, regardless of where they are sold.

This is particularly relevant to General Motors, as Latin NCAP has ranked it 8th out of 11 leading car manufacturers in Latin America, in terms of safety, and is the worst performing of any global manufacturer.

This disparity in access to safety technologies has real consequences, with an unacceptable burden of road crash deaths and injuries highlighted by the World Health Organization and referenced by Consumers International in its letter.  

The WHO has reported that:

  • 1.3 million people died and 50 million people were injured on roads in 2013. Unsafe cars are a major contributor to this statistic. 50% of those affected were vehicle occupants. This disparity in access to safety technologies has real consequences, and contributes to unacceptable burden of road crash deaths and injuries highlighted by the World Health Organization and referenced by Consumers International in its letter. 
  • Road traffic deaths are now the 9th biggest killer globally, and are predicted to become the 7th biggest killer worldwide by 2030 unless urgent action is taken.

The top ten car manufacturers accounted for 78% of all cars produced in 2013. It is clear that manufacturers like GM have an essential role to play in reducing traffic fatalities and injuries. 

The US is today one of the world leaders in providing consumers access to state-of-the-art safety equipment on all of our cars. As CEO, you can demonstrate to all consumers concern for their safety and play a leading role in ensuring all vehicles comply with these safety standards regardless of where they are sold. Applying these regulations voluntarily will help increase trust and confidence worldwide in the safety of your cars, and most importantly, save many thousands of lives. 

Thank you for your attention to our concerns. We would be happy to discuss further with you or your staff.

Yours Sincerely,

Ellen Bloom
Director, Federal Policy and Washington Office at Consumers Union
Consumers Union

Robert Weissman
President
Public Citizen

Jackie Gillan
President
Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety

Sally Greenberg
Executive Director
National Consumers League

NCL statement on FTC Telemarketing Sales Rule amendment – National Consumers League

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November 19, 2015

Contact: NCL Communications, Cindy Hoang, cindyh@nclnet.org, (202) 207-2832

Washington, DC—The National Consumers League (NCL), the nation’s pioneering consumer and worker advocacy organization, applauds the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for its action to increase protections for consumers from telemarketing fraud. Via an amendment to its Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR), the FTC today attacked a critical choke point that scammers have long used to defraud consumers: payment technology. By prohibiting the use of “remotely created checks,” “remotely created payment orders,” “cash to cash money transfers,” and “cash reload mechanisms,” the Commission’s action addresses key ways that con artists extract money from their victims.

The following statement is attributable to the National Consumers League’s Executive Director Sally Greenberg:

“Wire transfer, cash reload cards, and remotely created checks have long been the top ways, according to fraud victim complaint data collected by NCL’s Fraud.org, that scammers obtain their ill gotten gains. Today’s action by the FTC will not end the use of these payment mechanisms by scam artists, but it adds another tool to the FTC’s legal toolbox that the agency should use to go after fraudulent telemarketers. The FTC’s amendment to the TSR is a victory for consumers and a blow against scam artists in the fight against fraud.”

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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.

Child Labor Coalition expresses concern about child and adult workers killed in recent factory collapse in Pakistan – National Consumers League

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November 6, 2015

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

Washington, DC—The Child Labor Coalition (CLC) laments the tragic deaths that occurred Wednesday in the collapse of a plastic-bag factory in Lahore, Pakistan. At least 23 workers died in the factory, including an unknown number of child workers. Rescuers have pulled more than 100 survivors from the rubble, but dozens of other workers still trapped are thought to remain.

Although the details are still not yet fully known, a young boy working in the factory who survived the incident told reporters that dozens of children were among the 150 workers trapped in the collapsed building. Several reports mentioned children as young as 12 working in the factory.

South Asia has been the scene of a number of factory tragedies in recent years. In 2013, more than 1,100 workers died in the Rana factory collapse in Dhaka, Bangladesh. In 2012, more than 100 workers died in the Tazreen fire just outside of Dhaka. That same year, 289 people were killed in a fire in Karachi, Pakistan, and on the same day, a shoe factory fire in Lahore killed 25 workers.

“This latest Lahore collapse highlights the vulnerability of factory workers,” said Sally Greenberg, co-chair of the CLC and executive director of the National Consumers League. “Factories must be inspected regularly, and officials should be on the constant lookout for children working in these unsafe environments. Young children should not be dying in factory collapses; they should not be working in factories at all. Western consumers bear some responsibility for creating the awful conditions that lead to these tragedies because of the constant demand for the cheapest-possible products produced at great speed.” 

“The conditions that lead to these kinds of tragedies are a violation of human rights, they are avoidable, and they must stop,” said Dr. Lorretta Johnson, secretary-treasurer of the American Federation of Teachers, a co-chair of the Child Labor Coalition.  “We know that change is possible, and we call upon the government of Pakistan to press its efforts to ensure a culture of rights, not only through inspection and monitoring of factories, but also by the critical elimination of exploitative child labor.”

“In Pakistan, according to data provided by the U.S. Department of Labor, only 72 percent of children between 5 and 14 attend school,” said Reid Maki, CLC coordinator. “Two and a half million children between 10 and 14 are estimated to work. Tragic deaths of children like those in the factory collapse in Lahore will continue without a concerted effort to remove children from exploitative work and get more children into school.”

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About the Child Labor Coalition

The Child Labor Coalition, which has 35 member organizations, represents consumers, labor unions, educators, human rights and labor rights groups, child advocacy groups, and religious and women’s groups. It was established in 1989, and is co-chaired by the National Consumers League and the American Federation of Teachers. Its mission is to protect working youth and to promote legislation, programs, and initiatives to end child labor exploitation in the United States and abroad. The CLC’s website and membership list can be found at www.stopchildlabor.org.

NCL statement of support for FDA nominee Dr. Robert Califf – National Consumers League

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October 30, 2015

Contact: NCL Communications, Cindy Hoang, cindyh@nclnet.org, (202) 207-2832

Washington, DC-The National Consumers League (NCL) has issued the following statement on the President’s nomination of Dr. Robert Califf to serve as the new head of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The statement can be attributed to NCL Executive Director Sally Greenberg:

Dr. Califf will be responsible for ensuring the safety, efficacy, and accuracy of marketing of the products the FDA regulates. He offers an impressive academic background and is an internationally recognized expert in cardiovascular medicine and quality of care.

We have met with Dr. Califf on several occasions, including as part of a larger meeting with consumer and health care groups, where he has repeatedly stated his commitment to the FDA’s crucial role as an independent agency charged with regulating companies that make drugs, medical devices, food, and cosmetics.

We look forward to working with Dr. Califf to ensure that patient and consumer protection remains paramount under his tenure as commissioner.

NCL and FDA have a longstanding relationship. We’ve worked closely with FDA on NCL’s Script Your Future Campaign to raise public awareness of the importance of medication adherence. In addition, I serve on the Reagan Udall Foundation Board, a nonprofit private public partnership established by Congress to help carry out the mission of the FDA.

We’ve also worked closely with former commissioners, including Dr. Margaret Hamburg, who received our highest honor, the Trumpeter Award, in 2011. Commissioner David Kessler was also a Trumpeter Award recipient in 1994. We look forward to learning more about Dr. Califf during his Senate confirmation hearings and to welcoming him to his new role at FDA.

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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 calls on Senate to oppose Cyber Information Sharing Act – National Consumers League

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October 22, 2015

Privacy and consumer advocates say CISA is not the answer to cybercrime

Contact: Cindy Hoang, National Consumers League, cindyh@nclnet.org or (202) 207-2832

Washington, DC—Calling it “the wrong solution to the problem of cybercrime,” the National Consumers League (NCL), today joined six other privacy and consumer advocacy organizations to urge the Senate to reject the Cyber Information Sharing Act (CISA). In a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), the groups called the bill “fatally flawed,” and urged Senators to oppose the bill unless it is significantly improved through the amendment process.

CISA, which is currently pending before the full Senate, would significantly expand the ability of intelligence agencies such as the National Security Agency to collect information about American citizens in the name of improving cybersecurity. Advocates at NCL believe that there are significantly better ways to improve consumers data security protections, including a comprehensive national data security standard and a strong national data breach notification law.

“CISA seeks to combat a real problem: the continuous and serious incidence of data breaches that raise the risk of identity theft and other fraud for millions of consumers,” said John Breyault, NCL vice president of public policy, telecommunications and fraud. “Unfortunately, in CISA’s case, the cure is worse than the disease. The bill, as proposed, would allow for even greater collection of consumers’ personal data without adequate safeguards against abuse by intelligence and law enforcement agencies.”

The letter cited an amendment offered by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) as one way to address advocates’ concerns. That amendment (#2621) would require, to the extent feasible, that all entities remove personally identifiable information not necessary to describe or identify a cybersecurity threat before sharing cybersecurity threat information under the bill.

In addition to NCL, organizations represented in the letter included the Center for Democracy & Technology, the Center for Digital Democracy, Consumer Action, the Consumer Federation of America, Consumer Watchdog, and Privacy Rights Clearinghouse. The full text of the letter is available here.

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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.