The national uninsured rate rose in 2019 to 9.2 percent from 8.9 percent from 2018. This is the second year that there was an increase, which is concerning because the U.S. is facing one of its biggest public health crises with the covid-19 pandemic. Uninsured Americans who are hospitalized for the virus pay an average of $73,000. Read more →
Thirty-three million Medicare beneficiaries will receive a discount card in the mail for $200 that can be used to help pay for prescription drugs, President Trump said Sept. 24. However, a consumer group said Trump’s bizarre announcement is a transparent and pathetic attempt to bribe seniors for their votes. Read more →
Anthem has agreed to a $39.5 million settlement with 43 attorneys general over its massive 2014 data breach that involved the personal information of 78.8 million Americans. Anthem also agreed to data security and management provisions. Read more →
Consumer coronavirus complaints to the FTC have grown to more than 200,000, with more than $140 million in fraud losses. Since the covid-19 outbreak began, the top complaint categories are online shopping, travel, credit cards, banks and lenders, and credit bureaus. Read more →
Unable to come to an agreement with Congress on how to curb rising prescription drug prices, President Donald Trump announced four executive orders last week that he said would lower prescription drug prices to American consumers. Read more →
In the richest country in the world, the U.S. surgeon general is showing people how to use a piece of cloth, such as a bandana, and fold it, incorporating rubber bands, to make a cloth face mask. It's better than nothing when you need to go to the store or pharmacy. Read more →
Friends provide such joy in life. I was really fortunate when I moved to the Seattle area years ago and joined the League of Women Voters. I met a group of wonderful women who have become my good friends. Read more →
Twenty-one percent of people enrolled in health insurance are willing to travel internationally for care, while 60 percent of those who have already done it received dental treatment, according a survey released Wednesday by eHealth Inc., an internet health insurance exchange. Read more →
Happy New Year. I spent most of yesterday working on an article about the top consumer stories of 2019. Today, I'll be working on the top consumer stories of the decade. I don't know whether to laugh or cry. Read more →
As Halloween approaches and it gets colder and colder, bloggers are bundling up, raking leaves, and getting ready to hand out candy. And they’re writing about family possessions, inspiration, Medicare Advantage plans, online dating, a historic battlefield, and a spooky dream. Read more →