Consumer group re-issues pleas to CDC: add meningitis to routine vaccination schedule – National Consumers League

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June 24, 2015

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

Atlanta, GA—Before an advisory committee of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention today, the nation’s pioneering consumer advocacy organization urged the agency, for the second time this year, to add two government-approved vaccines to the routine schedule in order to fight the spread of meningitis “before more lives are needlessly lost to this devastating disease.”

In February 2015, Washington, DC-based National Consumers League (NCL) Executive Director Sally Greenberg, testified in support for the addition of serogroup B meningococcal, or MenB, vaccines to the routine schedule of vaccinations. At the meeting, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended the vaccine for groups at increased risk for the disease and established it would consider broader use of the vaccine, particularly for adolescents, at today’s meeting.

Today, Kamay Lafalaise, health policy associate for NCL, along with other advocacy groups and parents who have lost children to the disease, stood before the same committee with the same message: add serogroup B meningococcal, or MenB, vaccines to the routine schedule of vaccinations.

“We see no reason to expose anyone to this terrible illness when complete protection and prevention is available,” said Lafalaise. “Once again, NCL believes that parents and young people should have access to these two FDA-approved vaccines before a deadly outbreak occurs, and therefore both vaccines should be added to the routine schedule.”

The meeting of the CDC’s ACIP comes on the heels of news in New York that the NY State Legislature has passed a bill mandating a vaccine against meningitis for seventh graders. Under the bill, failure to comply with the required vaccination would subject the student to school exclusion. Elsewhere across the nation, mandated vaccinations are the subject of hot debate, such as in California, where state legislators have introduced a bill that would repeal the state’s current “personal belief exemption,” including religious exemptions, making it among the nation’s toughest vaccine laws.

Lafalaise shared the results of NCL research that found widespread support among parents for vaccinations to protect their children from diseases. Furthermore, meningitis was found to be the disease parents were most concerned of out of all childhood diseases.

Meningococcal disease, which is sometimes called bacterial meningitis, can come on quickly and can lead to death or disability within hours. Meningococcal disease affects people of all ages, though adolescents and young adults are at increased risk. Serogroup B accounts for one-third of U.S. cases, and is the most common cause of disease in adolescents. From 2013 to 2015, four college campuses experienced outbreaks of serogroup B meningococcal disease – two students have died, one student had both feet amputated.

 “If we wait, it could be too late. How many lives need to be lost before we take preventative action?” Lafalaise asked the committee.

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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 highlights impact of cancellation fees, mandatory hotel resort fees on the traveling public, urges reform at DOT – National Consumers League

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June 23, 2015

Contact: Cindy Hoang, NCL Communications, (202) 207-2832, cindyh@nclnet.org or John Breyault, (202) 207-2819, johnb@nclnet.org

Washington, DC – The National Consumers League (NCL), America’s pioneering consumer advocacy organization, today highlighted the significant negative impact that cancellation/change fees and mandatory hotel resort fees are having on the traveling public. As the summer travel season shifts into high gear, millions of consumers are likely to experience the frustration of being hit with these poorly-disclosed fees.

In his remarks before the Department of Transportation’s Advisory Committee for Aviation Consumer Protection, NCL Vice President John Breyault called for common-sense reforms, including a requirement that cancellation/change fees be refunded in the event that an airline is able to resell vacated seats. He also urged the DOT to require that cancellation/change fees, which brought in nearly $3 billion in revenue for the airline industry in 2014, be prominently disclosed across all sales channels — including airline websites and online travel agents.

“These fees are a cash cow for the airline industry,” said Breyault. “Consumers often can’t predict when they’ll need to change their itinerary. If the airlines are going to sock them with $200 change fees, they can at least be upfront about the fact that they’re going to do it.”

Breyault also called on the DOT rein in the abuse of mandatory hotel resort fees, which hotels across the country have been increasingly charging consumers to cover things like in-room coffee, newspapers, local phone service, or fax service. “When was the last time you needed to fax something from your hotel?” asked Breyault. “Yet, hotels are routinely nickel-and-diming consumers through these required fees for services that most of us never use.”

Breyault recommended that the DOT require mandatory hotel resort fees to be included with the rates for bundled airfare/hotel packages so that consumers can accurately compare rates and make informed, budget-conscious decisions.

“Consumers cannot make informed buying decisions without clear and accurate disclosure of important fees and surcharges before they reach the point of sale,” said Breyault. “This is even more important in the market for airfares and hotels, where consumers often find themselves captive in situations where it’s difficult to fight unfair fees.”

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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 consumer group pushing CPSC for safer standard for table saws; ‘Ten amputations a day could be prevented’ – National Consumers League

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June 23, 2015

Contact: Sally Greenberg, National Consumers League, sallyg@nclnet.org, or (202) 207-2830 or Cindy Hoang, National Consumers League, cindyh@nclnet.org or (202) 207-2832

Washington, DC—National Consumers League (NCL) Executive Director Sally Greenberg will testify tomorrow, June 24, before the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), urging the federal agency to act quickly to adopt a safety standard for table saws. NCL is the nation’s pioneering consumer advocacy group, and for several years it has been calling for a standard to require available technology upgrades to the very dangerous products, which cause a preventable 10 amputations each day in the United States.

MEDIA ADVISORY

What: Public Hearing of the Consumer Product Safety Commission
Where: CPSC Hearing Room 420, Bethesda Towers Building, 4330 East West Highway, Bethesda, MD 20814
When: 10 am, Wednesday, July 24, 2015
Hearing is open to the public

“We have before us a consumer product that causes grave injury and a proven safety technology that prevents those injuries. Ten amputations a day could be prevented virtually 100 percent of the time,” Greenberg will testify. “To me that screams out for a requirement that every table saw be required to adopt a safer design.”

Greenberg will be accompanied by Joshua Ward, a college student from Sisters, Oregon, who suffered multiple amputations while working on a table saw in his high school woodshop class in 2012. The accident severed three of his fingers and broke multiple bones. After extensive surgery and treatment, his surgeons were able to save one of his fingers. To date, Josh has undergone seven surgeries and has fought multiple infections. His medical bills exceed $350,000.

Ward traveled from Oregon to ask CPSC to enact a table saw standard that would prevent the type of injuries he has endured. “My lifelong dream of becoming a firefighter vanished when I lost my fingers. CPSC has known about safe table saw technology for over ten years – it is time for the agency to enact a safety standard,” said Ward.

According to CPSC’s statistics, there are approximately 40,000 emergency room-treated table saw injuries every year, about 4,000 of which are amputations. That’s more than 10 amputations every day. In 2003, a petition was filed with the CPSC asking the agency to enact a requirement that every table saw sold in the U.S. be equipped with “active injury mitigation” (AIM) technology that would prevent serious injuries and amputations by stopping the moving saw blade when it comes in contact with, or in close proximity to, human flesh. AIM technology has been proven to virtually eliminate serious injuries resulting from contact with a spinning table saw blade.

In 2010, after the CPSC had not moved forward on a table saw standard in seven years, NCL wrote a letter urging the Commission to take “speedy action” on table saw safety. NCL’s Greenberg also worked with table saw victims from across the country on a public education campaign highlighting the need for a table saw safety regulation. Following NCL’s campaign, in 2011, the Commission voted unanimously to begin the rulemaking process for a table saw safety standard.  

Tragically for Ward and thousands of other victims, it has been almost four years, and CPSC has still not proposed a safety standard for table saws. Greenberg teamed up with Ward to make another push for CPSC to take action. This week, Greenberg and Ward will meet individually with CPSC Chairman Elliot Kay and the four CPSC Commissioners. After their testimony, they plan to meet with Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley. Their message is clear: CPSC should act expeditiously to enact a table saw standard.

Greenberg believes that table saws present an easy case for CPSC. “I am disappointed and discouraged at the lack of progress on this very fixable product hazard. While Josh is strong and is overcoming his injuries with tremendous spirit and perseverance, we all know that the lifelong physical and emotional pain and disability he suffers were preventable. We ask [the CPSC] to act as quickly as possible to make table saws safer and put an end to these preventable and heartbreaking tragedies.”

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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’s Greenberg to speak at NOW conference – National Consumers League

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June 18, 2015

Contact: Carol McKay, NCL Communications, (412) 945-3242, carolm@nclnet.org

New Orleans, LA—Sally Greenberg, Executive Director of the National Consumers League (NCL), will join other women’s rights advocates at the National Organization for Women’s 2015 Strategy Summit and Bylaws Convention, held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in New Orleans this week.

Greenberg will speak today, Friday, June 19, along with other panelists about the recent Food and Drug Administration advisory committee approval of the first-ever treatment for female sexual dysfunction (FSD). Joining Greenberg will be Susan Scanlan, president of the advocacy group Even the Score, Amanda Parrish, a patient who participated in the clinical trial of the FSD treatment, and Jan Erickson, NOW Director of Government Relations.

For more information about the conference, click 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.

NCL statement in support of House vote against fast track – National Consumers League

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June 12, 2015

Contact: Carol McKay, NCL Communications, (412) 945-3242, carolm@nclnet.org

Washington, DC—The National Consumers League lauds the House of Representatives vote to reject the “fast track” measure to negotiate the Trans Pacific Partnership. In a 302-126 vote against the bill, the House levied a blow to President Obama’s efforts, which advocates feared would ultimately result in American job losses.

The following statement can be attributed to NCL Executive Director Sally Greenberg.

We applaud the House of Representatives for the overwhelming vote against the “TPP” and giving the President fast track authority. NCL believes the Trans-Pacific Partnership is bad for both workers and consumers. It would undermine U.S. laws and regulations for the benefit of corporations, and it would undermine jobs here at home as well. Under the TPP, according to the Economic Policy Institute, the U.S. would ship more than 130,000 jobs abroad to Vietnam and Japan alone, forcing American workers to compete for jobs with those overseas, such as Vietnamese workers who make less than 60 cents an hour. We urged Congress to reject fast track because of the harm it would bring to American workers, trading away our system of consumer and worker protections for increased profits for corporate interests.

The House vote reflects the public’s concerns about fast track and these trade deals, and we are very pleased that the House took a decisive vote against this bad trade deal.

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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 Congress to move forward on data security agenda in wake of OPM data breach – National Consumers League

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June 12, 2015

Contact: Carol McKay, NCL Communications, (412) 945-3242, carolm@nclnet.org

Washington, DC – In response to reports that a data breach at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) may have affected as many as 14 million current and former federal government workers and federal retirees, the National Consumers League (NCL) is urging Congress to move forward on legislation that increases data security requirements for federal agencies and the private sector alike. NCL has also released tips for those affected to remain vigilant against possible spear-phishing attacks and take steps to protect their identities.

“The OPM hack is yet another symptom of the failure of Congress to move forward on comprehensive data security legislation,” said John Breyault, NCL vice president of public policy, telecommunications and Fraud. “While Congressional legislation will not result in perfect data security protection, it can create an important baseline of consumer protection from malicious data breaches. In the face of large-scale breaches at organizations like OPM and smaller breaches as thousands of small businesses, Congress needs to act sooner, rather than later.”

While consumers wait for more robust data protections to come out of Washington, affected current, former, and retired federal workers should take steps to reduce their risk of identity theft. Such steps can include:

  • Check credit reports. Affected workers should visit annualcreditreport.com to check their credit reports from the major credit reporting bureaus. Look for suspicious activity like recently-opened accounts you don’t recognize and dispute them as suspected fraud with the credit reporting bureau.

  • Beware of spear-phishing emails and phone calls. OPM has announced that it will be sending most breach notifications by email from the opmcio@csid.com email address. That email will include the worker’s name and a PIN to enroll in credit monitoring and identity theft protection from identity and fraud protection firm CSID. Phone calls where the caller identifies herself as a representative of OPM are likely a scam. Consumers can also enroll directly in the CSID program online here.

  • Place fraud alerts on credit reports. Consumers should request a free 90-day fraud alert with each of the major credit reporting bureaus. A fraud alert requires businesses to verify an applicant’s identity before credit is provided to an applicant.

  • Take advantage of credit monitoring and identity theft protection. OPM is offering free credit monitoring and identity theft protection and mitigation services to affected employees via CSID. While these services won’t prevent all instances of identity theft, they can be helpful in reducing risk. More information is available here.

  • Mark calendars to file taxes early in 2016. The information reportedly compromised in the OPM breach can be used by cyberthieves to file fraudulent tax returns. Filing early in the tax season (instead of closer to the filing deadline) can help prevent this type of identity theft.

  • Contact banks and credit card companies. Affected workers’ banks may recommend reissuing credit and debit cards and changing checking and savings account numbers. Get in touch with these financial institutions to find out if such actions are necessary. Also, closely monitor monthly statements and dispute any suspicious charges.

  • Update passwords. Changing passwords on online accounts (mail, social media, financial services), particularly if the account is associated with an official .gov email address, can help reduce the risk of account takeover fraud. Tips on creating stronger passwords are available from ConnectSafely.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 statement on House vote on country-of-origin-labeling of meat – National Consumers League

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June 11, 2015

Contact: Carol McKay, NCL Communications, (412) 945-3242, carolm@nclnet.org

Washington, DC—The National Consumers League (NCL), the nation’s pioneering consumer advocacy organization, is disappointed in the U.S. House of Representatives vote Wednesday to repeal the law that requires country-of-origin labels (COOL) on packages of beef, pork, and poultry. COOL went into effect for meat in 2013.

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

“Consumers have the right to know where their food comes from, and they clearly want country-of-origin labeling. Having that label tells consumers about safety and purity of their food. Surveys show that 90 percent of Americans want this labeling on the meat products they buy for their families–showing that the House vote is drastically out of sync with the wishes of their constituents. Trade agreements must not be used to prevent U.S. consumers from getting the information they clearly desire. The American meat industry’s undue influence in this vote goes directly against these interests. This is a step backwards, and NCL is calling on the Senate to protect COOL, a hard-won protection that is valued by American consumers.”

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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 in support of SF move on sugary beverages – National Consumers League

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June 11, 2015

Contact: Carol McKay, NCL Communications, (412) 945-3242, carolm@nclnet.org

Washington, DC—The National Consumers League (NCL), the nation’s pioneering consumer advocacy organization, is applauding the San Francisco Board of Supervisors for unanimously supporting three ordinances to regulate the purchase, sales, distribution, and advertising of sugary drinks in San Francisco.

“With this legislation, San Francisco has taken an important step on behalf of its residents, and we hope that these bills will be able to jump the final hurdles and become law,” said NCL Executive Director Sally Greenberg, who testified, in 2012, before the New York City Board of Health when it was considering Mayor Bloomberg’s proposal to limit the sale of sugary beverages over 16 ounces. “We applaud San Francisco officials for taking a leadership role in combating obesity, and we hope that other cities will follow suit.”

The pieces of legislation would require a health warning label on sugary drink advertising in the city, prohibit city dollars from being spent on sugary drinks for events put on by the city, and prevent advertising of sugar-sweetened drinks on city-owned property and at city facilities.

Supervisors Malia Cohen, Eric Mar, and Scott Weiner proposed the bills, which will be put up to another Board of Supervisors vote on Tuesday, June 16. At that point, San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee will have 10 days to sign, veto, or pass the 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.

NCL statement on FDA adcom vote on ‘female viagra’ – National Consumers League

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June 4, 2015

Contact: Carol McKay, NCL, 412-945-3242, carolm@nclnet.org

Washington, DC—The National Consumers League (NCL), the nation’s pioneering consumer advocacy organization, which has championed women’s health and gender equity, is applauding today’s 18-6 vote of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory committee to recommend to the agency’s approval of the drug flibanserin for low libido in women, or female sexual dysfunction (FSD). The most common FSD condition is loss of sex drive, or HSDD.

The FDA generally accepts the recommendations of its advisory committee, but that formal decision will come in August.

The following statement may be attributed to Sally Greenberg, NCL executive director:

“At present there are no FDA-approved drugs to treat FSD, whereas there are 26 drugs to treat male sexual dysfunction. We welcome the positive recommendation of the FDA advisory committee. We urge the FDA to approve this treatment quickly, begin the process to address the long-overdue void that exists, and allow women who suffer from HSDD to finally get access to this important medication.”

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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 on the passing of Beau Biden – National Consumers League

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June 1, 2015

Contact: Carol McKay, NCL, 412-945-3242, carolm@nclnet.org

Washington, DC—The National Consumers League staff and Board of Directors are mourning the untimely death of former Attorney General Beau Biden. Advocates at the nation’s pioneering consumer advocacy organization are today remembering Biden for his military career as a member of the Delaware Army National Guard and in the Judge Advocate General Corps, including active duty in Iraq during his father’s Vice Presidential campaign.

In 2012, then Delaware Attorney General Biden addressed the high school students who had traveled to Philadelphia to compete for the National LifeSmarts Championship, NCL’s flagship youth consumer literacy program. On the final day of competition, he spoke to the state champion teenagers from across the country and helped crown the team from Maryland as that year’s National LifeSmarts Champions.

Biden applauded the state champion teams for being actively engaged, interested, and educated about finance and “how to be a good consumer and how to teach your brothers and sisters and classmates and sometimes your parents.” Biden passionately conveyed stories about the citizens of Delaware seeking help from his office, those who weren’t fortunate to have a LifeSmarts background, and who struggle with common consumer challenges in the marketplace. “You have to know what your rights are, and what you’re entitled to. We deal with people all the time who don’t feel empowered to question the negative answer or nonresponse. Behind the 10,000 or so complaints my office receives are, I’m confident, many times more citizens who don’t know what their rights are. That’s why what we do here is so critical, not just for young people but for old people.”

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

“The passing of Beau Biden is tragic, for consumer advocates and all Americans. We were honored to have him address our LifeSmarts participants in Philadelphia in 2012. Biden was a strong advocate who fought scammers and crooks seeking to take advantage of the vulnerable. He was an exemplary public servant who dedicated his career to making a difference for his country. We will remember him with fondness and admiration.”

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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.