Health care
Americans are spending way too much on health care, and getting far too little in return. Together we can bring down the cost of prescription drugs, prevent surprise medical bills, get providers to rein in skyrocketing costs, and more.
The Latest on Health care
Looking ahead: protecting the climate, nature and consumers in 2024
PIRG builds on campaign to improve hospital price transparency to drive down high prices in health care
Updates
Sign up for a quick primer on medical bill protections
Public’s right to challenge weak patents for Rx drugs is at risk.
Medical Bills: Everything you need to know about your rights.
Featured Resources
Outpatient outrage: Hospitals charge fees for care at the doctor’s office
A bad deal: Why you don’t want (medical credit) cards in your hand
Patient protections needed from medical credit cards
Did your insurance deny your health care claim? How to appeal.
The Latest
Type
How to make sure your credit reports don’t include medical debt under $500 or already paid off
Medical debt, even when it is paid off, used to remain on credit reports for up to seven years. Now medical debt under $500 or medical debt you have already paid are removed from credit reports. Here's how to make sure paid medical debt doesn't lower your credit score.
Recent ruling on No Surprises Act will likely lead to higher health care premiums, costs
Providers may promise to “do no harm,” but clearly the thing some of them care about keeping healthy, above their patients, is their revenue stream. After fighting against patients -- and losing -- in the halls of Congress and again during the executive branch’s rule-making process, they finally found a sympathetic ear in one federal district court.
U.S. PIRG applauds Biden Administration’s actions on medical debt
Our statement on Vice President Kamala Harris' announced reforms to reduce the impact of medical debt on Americans’ finances.
Medical providers challenging patient-protecting No Surprises Act in court
U.S. Public Interest Research Group (U.S. PIRG) moved to file an amicus brief urging the court to uphold the rules implementing the No Surprises Act, arguing that the regulations reflect the language and intent of the Act to keep health care costs down.
Patient Guide: Surprise medical billing protections you can use now
As of January 1, 2022, insured patients are protected from out-of-network balance bills, also known as surprise bills. PIRG explains your new protections.