Young Adults Going Without Health Coverage Monday, June 23, 2008
Posted by savvyconsumer in Rebecca Burkholder, health.Tags: health care, health care reform, insurance
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by Rebecca Burkholder, NCL VP for Health Policy
Young adults are the largest and fastest growing segment of the U.S. population without health insurance, according to a report recently issued by the Commonwealth Fund. Many young people are dropped from their parents’ policies or public programs when they turn 19. The Commonwealth Fund found that working young adults are much less likely than older adults to have access to health insurance through their employees (53 percent of 19-29 year olds compared to 74 percent of 30 – 64 year olds). Some states are addressing the problem; 20 have passed legislation requiring insurers to extend coverage for young adults up to the age of 24.
The lack of health coverage for young adults is just one more indication that our health care system is broken. For more than 60 years, NCL has advocated for comprehensive health coverage for all Americans. We now join many other groups and coalitions in calling for a national health plan. NCL’s LifeSmarts program can play a valuable role in raising awareness and educating those young adults who may soon face loss of health coverage. Through education, and national, state and local efforts, we can move closer to ensuring that all American have access to quality health care, no matter what their age.
Don’t buy anything for the 2009 digital TV transition until you read this! Friday, June 20, 2008
Posted by savvyconsumer in finances.Tags: DTV conversion
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Congress has required that full-power broadcast stations transmit only digital signals on February 17, 2009, and in some instances consumers may end up wasting money due to confusion or misinformation.
You may have heard about the upcoming digital transition and wondered whether it affects you and what you need to do to prepare for it. Staff at the National Consumers League recently conducted an informal survey of Washington area retailers and found that many employees at the stores that sell digital converter boxes aren’t telling the whole story to consumers.
World Day Against Child Labor Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Posted by savvyconsumer in child labor, global issues, kids, worker's rights issues.Tags: child labor, NCL interns
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By Paula Osborn, NCL Public Policy Intern
Paula is a child labor public policy intern at the National Consumers League. She’s from Albuquerque, New Mexico and, this fall, will begin her senior at Johns Hopkins University, where she’s studying Psychological and Brain Sciences, with a minor in Spanish for the Professions and a pre-law concentration.
My mother always used to tell me to clean my plate at dinnertime because there were starving children in China who would love to have the food I had in front of me. Last week, I learned that mothers should also be telling their kids to go to appreciate being able to go to school every day because there are 72 million children all over the world who would love to be in their place.
Last week, child labor advocates honored World Day Against Child Labor with a panel discussion to address this year’s theme: Education – The Right Response to Child Labor. A dozen panelists elaborated on education being the key to poverty reduction, attaining social justice, and enhancing skills for productivity and economic growth. Panelists argued that ensuring basic education for all is the most direct and cost-effective way of eliminating child labor and, in turn, the elimination of child labor is a prerequisite for any country’s fast economic development.
An excerpt from “Rescuing Emmanuel,” a film by Len Morris, showed street children from Nairobi exclaiming their desire to go to school, a luxury they were not afforded. Millions of children living on the streets have the same dream. To learn more, visit the International Labour Organization.
A few months ago, I was looking for possible internships for the summer, when I came across the National Consumers League, which needed a Child Labor Policy Intern for its Child Labor Coalition for the summer. I was immediately intrigued; I am very interested in protecting human rights, especially children because they cannot help themselves. At Johns Hopkins, my focus is child labor in Latin America and the United States, especially focusing on child labor in agriculture.
In my first few weeks at NCL, I have been—and will continue to—going to many conferences, events, and panel discussions on child labor-related issues, which I will be relaying back to you through my blogs. Stay tuned!
An Intern’s Insight: Introducing Tara Moore Monday, June 16, 2008
Posted by savvyconsumer in Uncategorized.Tags: NCL interns, Summer in DC
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By: Tara Moore, Communications Intern
Tara is interning this summer at NCL’s Communications Department. This fall, she will begin her junior year as a Magazine Journalism and Political Science major at Temple University’s School of Communications and Theater in Philadelphia, Pa.
Two months ago I received an acceptance letter from the Institute on Political Journalism at Georgetown University with The Fund for American Studies for this summer. I was very pleased to learn that through this prestigious program, I’d be interning either on Capitol Hill for the summer or at an advocacy group somewhere in the DC area as well as taking two Georgetown courses: Ethical Perspectives in the Media, and Economics in Public Policy.
At the beginning of May, I received even more great news about the National Consumers League’s interest in my resume as a possible intern for this summer. After a pleasant phone interview with the Communications Department, I started to think about how this position would benefit me and now that I’m here, I cannot think of anything that I won’t gain from this experience!
I mean truly we all need some knowledge on how to be a savvy consumer.
NCL has a clear mission, to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the U.S. and abroad, that can easily be seen in the consumer education projects the League is constantly working on: its work on Mortgage education, teen financial and consumer literacy, and even information about traveling sales jobs. This summer I’ll be working with the Communications Department, helping out with their efforts to spread the word about all the activities NCL is involved in, so you’ll be hearing more from me later!
Acupuncture, Anyone? Thursday, June 12, 2008
Posted by savvyconsumer in Ria Eapen, health.Tags: acupuncture, dietary supplements, herbs, HHS, homeopathy, NCCAM, NIH
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By Ria Eapen, Health Policy Associate
Many consumers rely upon conventional medicine to treat various ailments. However, others use complementary and alternative medicine, such as therapies like acupuncture and homeopathy and products like dietary supplements and herbs.
Curious?
Feel free to check out the federal government’s agency known as the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, or NCCAM. This agency is 1 of 27 institutes and centers that make up the National Institutes of Health (NIH) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
If you would like to learn more about CAM, including some tips on how to discuss your options with your physician, please visit: http://nccam.nih.gov/timetotalk/forpatients.htm.
How about you, what’s your preferred method of treatment?
Debt is a Pain, Literally Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Posted by savvyconsumer in finances, health.Tags: debt, foreclosure, mortgage, stress
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The Associated Press has reported that millions of Americans who are in debt also have serious health problems: ulcers, migraines, and severe depression.
Experts say that half of Americans state that the cost of housing – paying their mortgage or rent – is a major source of stress. And who could blame them? The thought of losing one’s home – and sense of security – is a painful one.
NCL’s Mortgage Town site offers a bunch of tips to help consumers avoid the nightmare of losing their homes. We provide a step-by-step guide to help consumers through the process of buying, and keeping their dream homes.
Salmonella Outbreak! Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Posted by savvyconsumer in health, safety.Tags: CDC, FDA, food safety, salmonella, tomatoes
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Supermarkets, fast-food chains, and restaurants have pulled certain raw red plum, red Roma, and red round tomatoes, and products containing these raw, red tomatoes from their shelves and menus following an outbreak of salmonella.
Most people infected with salmonella suffer experience diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Yuck!
The Food and Drug Administration has posted a list of states which have not been associated with the salmonella outbreak.
Wishing Sen. Kennedy a Speedy Recovery! Friday, June 6, 2008
Posted by savvyconsumer in Sally Greenberg, legislative issues, worker's rights issues.Tags: consumer advocate, Sen. Edward Kennedy, Trumpeter Award
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NCL Executive Director, Sally Greenberg, and Chair of the Board of Directors, Jane King sent Sen. Edward M. Kennedy a letter to wish him well in his recovery. The Associated Press reported that Kennedy “felt like a million bucks” following his operation to treat his malignant brain tumor.
Those who feel so inclined may send Kennedy a few words of encouragement and other warm wishes by writing:
The Honorable Edward Kennedy
315 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Kennedy has long championed the rights of consumers and workers, and in 1973, he was the first recipient of our Trumpeter Award, which honors the work of leaders who have fought for social justice, and consumers’ rights to a fair and safe workplace.
We all wish him a quick recovery, and look forward to his return to the Senate!
Knock-knock: Don’t Let Deception in the Door! Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Posted by savvyconsumer in NCL's 2008 Consumer Calendar, fraud, safety.Tags: pressure tactics, safety, sales, scams
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You hear a knock at your door. You look through the peephole and see a salesperson. In this day and age, you can never be too cautious when it comes to who you choose to do business with.
NCL teaches consumers how to identify salespeople from honest door-to-door sales companies. These salespeople will:
- Identify themselves and the company’s products they represent by name. They should explain the purpose of their visit upfront and present proper identification.
- Respect your wishes. It’s a sign of fraud if they try to pressure you into buying something on the spot or refuse to honor your request to end the sales presentation.
For more information, including tips on deceptive sales tactics, read this month’s 2008 Consumer Calendar: Do We Have Tips for You! June’s tips are sponsored by The Southwestern Company.
Congratulations, Class of 2008! Now Pay Up Monday, June 2, 2008
Posted by savvyconsumer in finances, kids.Tags: credit, debt, III, student loans
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While millions of college students are frantically trying to land their first real job and secure affordable housing, many are also racking up the credit card debt.
The U.S. Department of Education estimates that almost 25 percent of college students will take on credit card debt in order to pay for their education.
Savvy grads know that having a solid credit history pays off for a bunch of reasons. Here are a few: when applying for a job, securing loans and purchasing auto or homeowners insurance.
