President Bush on Thursday signed what newspapers have called the most sweeping consumer protection legislation of the last 30 years.

The legislation, which passed with overwhelming majorities in Congress (the only member of the Oklahoma delegation to vote against it was Sen. Tom Coburn). The legislation bans phthalates and lead in children’s toys, strengthens safety standards for all-terrain vehicles and creates a public database of consumer complaints. The law also gives the Consumer Product Safety Commission more authority and doubles its budget.

For more information, read this article in Consumer Affairs (CLICK HERE.)

Consumers Don't Trust Credit Card Companies

This ran in The Oklahoman Aug. 14. Here’s the whole thing, since it’s short.

NEW YORK — Americans still love their plastic, even if they don’t trust the credit card companies dishing it out.
A study released Wednesday by CreditCards.com found 58 percent of respondents said they “somewhat” or “strongly” agree with the statement “I don’t trust credit card companies.”

At the same time, 82 percent think having at least one credit card is essential, and 77 percent said they like the convenience of credit cards over cash.
While seeing the pros and cons of credit cards, some 78 percent agreed with the statement that nobody really reads the terms and conditions when signing up for a credit card.

One reason people don’t bother reading the terms is that all the fine print is so difficult to decipher, said Ben Woolsey, director of marketing and consumer research for CreditCards.com, a privately held company that offers consumers comparisons on credit cards.
The result is that people are later “stunned” by fees and penalties, Woolsey said.

Our take: Read the small print. And push Congress for greater disclosure of credit card terms and tricks.

Traveling Abroad for Health Care

More and more Americans are escaping the crushing debt of health care and lack of insurance by going abroad to get well.

A study from the National Center for Policy Analysis estimated 500,000 Americans received medical care in another country in 2005. CLICK HERE FOR THE STUDY

Interestingly, the American Medical Association has adopted “principles” for medical tourism, as the phenomenon is often called, for those who “encourage or incentivize” medical care abroad.

They include:
* Ensuring the care is voluntary (i.e. insurance companies and employers shouldn’t be able to force someone to go abroad for cheaper care).
* Sending patients only to properly accredited providers.
* Providing local follow-up care.
* Sharing of licensing and outcomes data.

To see the AMA guidelines, click here

Gov. Brad Henry yesterday ceremoniously signed legislation to require child care centers to have liability insurance.

The Oklahoma Foundation for Consumer & Patient Rights wonders why legislators don’t extend the same concern to those living in nursing homes.

A bill that would have had similar requirements passed in a bipartisan fashion out of the Senate but was killed in committee by nursing home owner Rep. Doug Cox, R-Grove.

Read the full article by CLICKING HERE

Stand Up For Health Care

Respected advocacy group Families USA has launched a Web site and petition drive to persuade elected officials to provide “quality and affordable health care for all.”

You can visit the web site by CLICKING HERE.

“Currently many health insurance companies operate in a wild west environment of little or no rules or regulation—unfettered to cherry pick the healthiest and to deny coverage to those who need it the most,” according to a Families USA e-mail announcing the site. “Health insurance shouldn’t be reserved only for the healthiest among us,” the e-mail continued.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN THE PETITION

In the Media

From the Executive Director-- I thought you’d be interested in seeing some of the Oklahoma Foundation for Consumer & Patient Rights’ media mentions over the last few weeks. Also, I appeared on Friday night’s newscast on OETA. I addressed consumer protection legislation President Bush signed Thursday and the need for such legislation. 

96 % of Bankruptcies Personal
(Clinton Daily News, Aug. 10)
“No one wants to see abuse of the system, but the pendulum has swung too far in the direction of those who market credit cards to college students and give homebuyers mortgages they obviously can’t afford.”

Oklahoma Falling Behind in Federal Health Clinics
(Clinton Daily News, July 24)
“As the guy (in the movie) ‘Jaws’ said when he saw the great white shark: ‘We’re gonna need a bigger boat.’”

Federal Health Clinic Growth Leaves Oklahoma Behind. (Miami News-Record, July 24)
“We feel disparities and health care costs are inseparable, and any effort that impacts them both is a step in the right direction.”

The Oklahoma Foundation for Consumer and Patient Rights takes on big industries and the politicians every day in legislatures, the courts and in the media. We also provide a number of resources for consumers to make informed decisions in the marketplace and as patients. The Foundation for Consumer and Patient Rights is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. We rely upon the support of people like you.

If you see the value in our research, education and advocacy, please make a contribution today. You can also donate by mail making a check payable to OKFCPR and mailing to PO Box 12714, Oklahoma City, OK 73157.

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