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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
PIRG builds on campaign to improve hospital price transparency to drive down high prices in health care
Facility fees are driving up the prices of doctor visits.
Updates
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Medical Bills: Everything you need to know about your rights.
Nearly $5,000 of medical debt is crippling 1 in 10 adults
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
Medical Bills: Everything you need to know about your rights
Did your insurance deny your health care claim? How to appeal.
The Latest
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NURSING HOMES STILL DON’T HAVE ENOUGH MASKS, GOWNS, OTHER PPE
A new analysis by the U.S. PIRG Education Fund and Frontier Group found that 8 percent of nursing homes nationwide as of Dec. 27 had a critical shortage of surgical-grade N95 masks, which are the best protection against spreading the virus. Additionally, 4 to 6 percent of nursing homes reported shortages in at least one other category of personal protective equipment.
OSPIRG Foundation launches consumer education campaign on how to fight back against surprising medical billing
Every year, millions of Americans receive surprise medical bills after unknowingly receiving treatment from a provider outside of their insurance network. Studies have shown that nearly one in five emergency room visits and hospital stays results in a surprise out-of-network bill. Although the No Surprises Act, a federal law to protect consumers from surprise medical billing, was passed in December, it does not go into effect until January 2022. In the meantime, many consumers continue to be at risk for these charges that can cost between hundreds to thousands of dollars.
Report: Nursing homes cope with huge staff shortages
At any given time throughout most of 2020, more than 200,000 Americans resided in nursing homes that admit they were suffering through staff shortages.
Humira manufacturer’s efforts to block generic options challenged in court
The maker of Humira, the world’s best-selling drug, faces a new legal challenge over alleged anticompetitive tactics. Monday, the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (U.S. PIRG) filed an amicus brief in the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals arguing that AbbVie’s strategies of reverse payment settlements and creating “patent thickets” have delayed the entry of biologically similar generic drugs (biosimilars) onto the market, costing Americans billions of dollars.
Tips on what to pack for college during the COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic presents a whole new situation for college students. This guide outlines items that students should pack when they return to campus.