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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
Sign up for a quick primer on medical bill protections
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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New report: COVID-19 cases in California nursing homes drop by 95 percent after mass vaccinations
Despite a sharp overall drop in coronavirus infections in nursing homes in recent months, 43 California nursing homes that weathered 2020 without any COVID-19 cases have reported new cases since 2021 began. This happened even though the elderly were among the first to get COVID-19 vaccines during the initial rollout in mid-December, fueling a 95.2 percent drop in new cases in nursing homes in California by early February -- among the best states in the country.
Court case puts air ambulance memberships in spotlight. What does this mean for consumers?
Air ambulance bills can run in the thousands of dollars. Some companies sell "memberships" to consumers. But this option may not be a smart purchase for most consumers.
New report: Society undervalues family caregivers’ vital, increasingly important role
People caring for their aging parents, their loved ones with disabilities, or their children are doing some of the most important work there is. And yet many public policies undervalue the worth of caring for a loved one. As the largest population cohort in U.S. history -- the Baby Boomers -- ages, with a longer expected lifespan than ever, the need for caregivers will grow. Vital and Undervalued, a new report from U.S. PIRG Education Fund, shows how many people are either providing care for or receiving care from a loved one.
After 20 people die and dozens become ill, FDA finally flags hand sanitizer from Mexico
Consumers still at risk for harmful over-the-counter drug products of all types because of soft federal regulations.
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.