For Immediate Release
July 2, 2009
DOJ Will Investigate Google Book Search Settlement
We applaud the Department of Justice for taking this step to launch an investigation of the Google Books settlement. The deal, as written now, will give the most dominant online firm a significant advantage over its rivals and online book competitors like Amazon. The [...]

 Addressing the Risks of Climate Change:
The Environmental Effectiveness and Economic Efficiency of Emissions Caps and Tradable Permits, Compared to Carbon Taxes
 
 
An ACI study sponsored in February 2007 and authored by esteemed national economist and former Undersecretary of Commerce Dr. Robert Shapiro found that carbon taxes are a better alternative to emissions caps and tradable permits (commonly referred [...]

 
Before the
Federal Communications Commission
Washington, DC 20554
 
    
 
In the Matter of                                                )
A National Broadband Plan for Our Future       )                       GN Docket No. 09-51
 
 
COMMENTS OF THE AMERICAN CONSUMER INSTITUTE
 
 
The American Consumer Institute (“Institute”) hereby submits comments in response to the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) Notice of Inquiry (“NOI”) in the above-captioned proceeding. 
 
 
I.  INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY
 
            [...]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 9, 2009
The American Consumer Institute Files Comments with FCC Regarding National Broadband Plan
Highlights the role of the private sector and consumers in achieving universal broadband access
WASHINGTON – The American Consumer Institute yesterday filed comments in response to the Federal Communications Commission’s notice of inquiry on the national broadband plan. In its filing, [...]

At the direction of Congress, the Federal Communication Commission requested public comment as the first step in developing a national broadband strategy by February 2010.  To facilitate discussion on this topic, the American Consumer Institute Center for Citizen Research held a public briefing with the following distinguished panelists:

Dr. Larry F. Darby, Senior Fellow for the American Consumer Institute and former FCC Bureau [...]

Considerable attention has in recent years been focused on consumer choice regarding platforms and conditions for accessing various kinds of content via the Internet. The main focus has been on the supply of Internet access networks – cable, wireline telco, satellite, wireless – from which consumers can choose as means to get to the content [...]

This investigative report finds that the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) may be overcharging insurance companies who pass these costs along to consumers in the form of higher prices.  State laws require companies to electronically file financial and rate information with the NAIC, who set filing fees without state approval or review.  Effectively, states have given away their [...]

Dr. Joseph P. Fuhr, “Why Biosimilars Will Have a Smaller Competitive Edge Than Generics,” presented at CBI’s Second Annual Summit on Biosimilars and Follow-on biologics, Baltimore, based on an article coauthored by Dr. Erwin A. Blackstone and published in the Journal of Health Care Finance, Winter 2008, pp. 84-95. Slides available.
Steve Pociask, “Why Solvency Matters,” Property [...]

This article discusses a new plan to reform telecommunications regulations and provide additional support to low-income consumers. Click here.

If the stimulus plan is passed, the U.S. deficit will approach $1.7 trillion dollars.  Whatever the economic benefits of the plan, the cost of the plan will eventually need to be paid back.  Whether this payment comes in the form of increased taxes on consumers and/or business, because businesses will pass these costs along to consumers in the form of higher [...]