With cases on the rise, Congress should pass the Medical Supply Transparency and Delivery Act, which would establish a system for distributing critical medical supplies to impacted areas.
With cases on the rise, Congress should pass the Medical Supply Transparency and Delivery Act, which would establish a system for distributing critical medical supplies to impacted areas.
Public Health
Responding to the COVID crisis
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, now more than ever, we need to work together to ensure that our government has a coordinated, strategic response to safeguard the public’s health, protect consumers from emerging dangers and ensure people can still participate fully in our democracy.
Consumer Protection
California Assembly passes Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act
The California Assembly has unanimously passed the Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act. The bill is now one step closer to banning highly toxic ingredients in beauty and personal care products that can cause cancer, infertility and a compromised immune system.
Consumer Protection
California lawmakers stand up against price gouging
With some sellers continuing to charge excessive prices for essential supplies during the COVID-19 crisis, the California General Assembly is considering a CALPIRG-backed bill that would ensure greater consumer protections against price gouging during an emergency.
Consumer Tips
CALPIRG cautions consumers against false coronavirus cures
The FDA has sent 34 warning letters to companies that say their products can treat or cure COVID-19 without being able to prove those claims. CALPIRG is providing people with the information they need to avoid wasting their money on these and other coronavirus-related scams.
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News & Research
News Release | CALPIRG
Proprietary medical device repair harms hospitals, could threaten patients, during COVID-19 pandemic
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is putting incredible stress on the U.S. medical system, including the equipment that is essential to diagnose and treat patients, such as ventilators. As that equipment is pressed into round-the-clock use, biomedical repair technicians face increasing pressure to maintain and repair all that equipment. However, in too many cases, manufacturers limit access to the essential tools and information these repair experts need.
News Release | CALPIRG
Oakland-- CALPIRG, American Academy of Pediatrics- CA, SF Bay Area Physicians for Social Responsibility, and several other groups sent a letter to Senator Harris and Senator Feinstein on July 2nd thanking them for supporting the Medical Supply Transparency and Delivery Act, which would establish central, transparent coordination of the medical supply chain during the COVID-19 crisis. The groups are also asking Sen. Harris and Sen. Feinstein to urge Senate leadership to include the legislation in the next coronavirus stimulus package. The letter comes after health officials expressed serious concern over continued shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) amid rising cases and a lack of federal support.
News Release | CALPIRG Education Fund
SACRAMENTO- As California schools consider best practices for reopening in the fall, they must address the fact that too many have found unacceptable levels of lead in their drinking water. CALPIRG Education Fund released an updated interactive map with results reported from schools. More than 2,100 school drinking water fountains tested positive for lead at 1,300 schools in the state over the past three years, according to a new analysis by CALPIRG Education Fund.
Report | CALPIRG Education Fund
COVID Exit Strategy (www.covidexitstrategy.org), a nonpartisan group of public health and crisis experts, has been tracking the progress states have made towards meeting the CDC recommended benchmarks states should reach before reopening their economies. As of the week ending on June 26th, only six states were meeting these metrics, earning a “Green” rating. Currently, California is failing half of the benchmarks, and is rated “Red” by COVID Exit Strategy.
News Release | CALPIRG Education Fund
“From early on in this pandemic, it’s been clear that we must listen to public health experts or suffer dire consequences,” said Emily Rusch, Executive Director of CALPIRG Education Fund. “What we are seeing right now in our state is that while we’re doing some things right, we must act more comprehensively to protect the health and welfare of our citizens and beat this virus.”
RESOURCE
Coronavirus update
In the midst of the coronavirus outbreak, we’ve taken steps for all of our staff to work remotely for safety reasons. But rest assured, we’ll keep advocating for you as we work for a healthier, safer world.
Learn more about how we can work together to address the COVID-19 pandemic.