In September 2021, the Department of Health and Human Service (HHS) released its plan to lower drug prices. Unfortunately, for consumers and patients, the report contained grim statistics that highlighted the cost of drugs in this country and the medical insecurity these prices impose. HHS estimates that each year, “Americans spend more than $1,500 per […]
Consumer Tips / Health
ACI Sends Letter to Department of Education and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: End Cheating on College Campuses
WASHINGTON – Today, the American Consumer Institute (ACI), as a part of its recently launched initiative, The Academic Integrity Project, sent a letter to U.S. Department of Education Secretary Miguel Cardona and U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Director Rohit Chopra highlighting the epidemic of cheating taking place on college campuses, and urging the agencies […]
Real Clear Policy: Congress — Pass a Federal Data Law
In the first six months of 2021, there were 1,767 data breaches reported across the globe, exposing over 18 billion records. To contextualize that number, more records were exposed in six months than people on earth. Data breaches not only compromise consumers’ and businesses’ financial situations, but they can also lead to unnecessary stress and […]
ACI Launches the Academic Integrity Project to End Systematic Cheating on College Campuses
Today, The American Consumer Institute Center for Citizen Research (ACI) launched the Academic Integrity Project, which will bring attention to systemic cheating on college campuses and urge policymakers and educators to put a stop to it. ACI is a nonprofit institute based in Washington, D.C., founded with the purpose to promote consumer welfare by improving […]
ACI Sends a Letter to Congress on Reducing Patient Drug Prices
Today, the American Consumer Institute (ACI) send a letter to the Senate and House Leadership highlighting keys ways for Congress to lower drug prices for patients. Among ACI’s suggestions were the streamlining of regulations that impede market entry for generic and biosimilar drugs. In addition to increasing price competition, the letter recommends requiring Pharmacy Benefit […]
Coalition Opposes Wasteful $3.5 Trillion Spending Plan
Today, a coalition of tax and consumer groups wrote a letter to Congress in opposition to the $3.5 trillion proposal, calling it — not a “path for progress for Americans,” but rather a mixed bag of higher taxes andincreased wasteful spending for which taxpayers will ultimately be responsible. The coalition letter is available here online.
Inside Sources: Waiving TRIPS Won’t Boost Global Vaccinations
The Administration is considering waiving the intellectual property rights of the COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers, the same drug companies that risked billions to rush and test vaccines to the reach consumers. The argument for waiving these rights is that it will, supposedly, enable more consumers around the globe to get immunized. This commentary shows that waiving […]
The Economic Standard: Republicans Should Defend the Consumer Welfare Standard
Over the past month, five Republican lawmakers banded together to form the “Freedom from Big Tech” caucus in the House of Representatives. The stated aim of the caucus is to “rein in Big Tech” through “legislation, education, and awareness.” The caucus reflects a growing concern amongst Republicans of the influence of large tech companies on political discourse. Led by […]
Inside Sources: Ending Surprise Medical Bills
Surprise medical bills occur when out-of-network provider fees exceed what health insurance plans are willing to cover – the difference resulting in unexpected out-of-pocket expenses for patients. Between 2014 and 2017, it is estimated the average surprise medical bill could be anywhere from $220 to $628. The problem is particularly pronounced in emergency room visits and emergency surgeries […]
Townhall: It’s Time for Congress to Take Concrete Steps to Protect Consumer Data
According to Security Magazine, there are an estimated 2,200 cyberattacks each day in the United States. That amounts to around 91 attacks every hour or one attack every 39 seconds. In 2020, the average cost of responding to a cyberattack to businesses of all sizes was estimated to be $3.86 million. As our work, school, and healthcare moves online, the […]