Tag Archives: United States

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Paying for implants


Policy and Action from Consumer Reports

You’re stuck paying when implants fail. Really.Hip and knee manufacturers make billions marketing their products to younger and younger Americans. But they don’t back them up with a warranty, leaving  patients or taxpayers on the hook for their cost if they fail. Join our campaign to demand they warranty implants!Take action

 

 

 

 

You’ve likely seen the TV ads for knee and hip replacements. These implants are big business in America, and why not? Who doesn’t want to feel better, play longer.

But there’s something important you don’t know. Most hips and knees aren’t required by the FDA to be proven safe and effective before they’re implanted in our bodies.

And despite manufacturer claims that implants are safe and of high quality, the largest U.S. companies won’t back them up with a warranty if they fail – dumping the cost to replace them on patients or taxpayers. Really?

Join our campaign to demand implant makers warranty their products. You shouldn’t pay for their failure!

Just like the warranties that cover defects in cars and computers, artificial knees and hips should come with a guarantee so the manufacturer – not you or Medicare – pays to replace them due to a defect. Already more than a million surgeries are performed each year, and that’s expected to reach 4 million by 2030 as industry markets these joints to younger Americans.

When an implant fails, it can require complex revision surgery that can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Recently, Johnson & Johnson recalled a metal hip after one in eight patients needed it replaced within just five years. Our research found that all the major hip and knee makers have recalled a product, or line of products, in the past decade.

Without a warranty, it’s unclear who pays: the patient, the insurance company, or Medicare – which taxpayers end up covering. Only one major manufacturer has a warranty, and it’s just on one knee product. For all other hips and knees, companies aren’t on the hook for the replacement cost, despite implants ringing up billions in annual sales.

These companies make big money marketing new knees and hips to us. Demand they back their products with a warranty!

By taking action, you’ll be joining tens of thousands of other consumers sending an email directly to manufacturers’ headquarters. The more emails we can send, the more we can hold companies accountable for their products!

Sincerely, Lisa McGiffert, Consumers Union Policy and Action from Consumer Reports

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

UCS


The $11 Trillion Reward

It’s no secret—the American diet of unhealthy, processed foods is killing us. More than 725,000 Americans die from heart disease and stroke each year. We can shrink this number through healthy eating, but we need our government working for—not against—us. Our new report, The $11 Trillion Reward, shows just how damaging current U.S. food policy is—favoring cheap, processed foods over fresh fruits and veggies—and what we can do to improve it. Check out the report, share it on Facebook and Twitter, and read on for more important updates! —Karla

This Just In
Watch: The real cost of junk food WATCH: The real cost of junk food If Americans ate just one more serving of fruits or vegetables a day, we could prevent 30,000 deaths each year. The benefits of healthy eating are clear, yet our government spends billions subsidizing processed foods like chips and soda that undermine our health, while fruits and vegetables get very little support. Watch our new video to see just how damaging current U.S. policy is—and what you can do to change it. MORE
Ask a Scientist
Jeffery O'HaraJeffrey O’Hara Agricultural Economist “What is UCS doing to encourage American farmers to grow more vegetables and fruit that would be healthier for our diets given that so many of them are dependent on government subsidies to grow commodity crops like corn and soybeans?”—Lanni Isenberg, Newton, MA It is not an accident that the U.S. agricultural landscape looks the way it does. Farm policy plays a critical role in influencing which crops are grown. Today, excessive subsidies are directed to “commodity” crops such as corn and soybeans that are used as animal feed and ingredients in processed junk foods. At the same time, as I describe below, federal farm policy restricts fruit and vegetable production. To make matters worse, significant obstacles exist in some communities for those wishing to use nutrition assistance benefits to buy healthy food at local markets.  MORE

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Do you have a question for UCS scientists? Submit your question today.
Science in Action
Act now for a healthier Farm Bill DEADLINE: Act now for a healthier Farm Bill There are just days left to win support for healthy food and sustainable agriculture in the Farm Bill, which sets U.S. food policy for the next five years. Despite the importance of this legislation, Congress is locked in ideological battles that threaten to derail chances to pass this legislation before the current law expires at the end of the month. If this happens, programs that support healthy food and sustainable agriculture will suffer the most. If you’ve already contacted your elected officials, now is the time to contact them again. Tell Congress: The time is NOW to pass a Farm Bill that puts healthy food and farms first!
Black History

~~ the Senate ~~ CONGRESS ~~ the House


visitors-memorials-eve

The Senate stands in adjournment until 10:00am on Wednesday, September 11, 2013.  Following the prayer and the pledge, there will be a moment of silence to pay tribute to the thousands of Americans whose lives were taken on September 11, 2001.

 Following any Leader remarks, the time until 2:30pm will be equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

 There will be a bipartisan, bicameral remembrance ceremony of the 12th anniversary of the September 11th attacks at 11:00am tomorrow on the East Front of the Capitol.

Members will gather in the rotunda at 10:45am.

The Senate is in a period of morning business for debate only until 2:30pm, with the time equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees and Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

There will be a bipartisan, bicameral remembrance ceremony of the 12th anniversary of the September 11th attacks at 11:00am on the East Front of the Capitol.  Members will gather in the rotunda at 10:45am.

As a reminder, there is an order to adopt the motion to proceed to S.1392, Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2013, at a time to be determined by the Majority Leader, with the concurrence of the Republican Leader. Discussions continue on the appropriate time to turn to its consideration.

The Senate has adopted the motion to proceed to S.1392, Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2013. By consent, no amendments or motions relative to Syria or the use of military force are in order during the consideration of the bill. The time until 6:00pm is equally divided between the two Leaders, or their designees. There will be a period for debate only to allow for opening statements on the bill (Wyden 20 minutes, Murkowski 20 minutes, Shaheen 15 minutes and Portman 15 minutes). Senators will be notified if and when any votes are scheduled.

The following amendments are pending to S.1392, Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2013 :

The Merkley amendment #1858 (standby power usage study) is pending

Senator Inhofe asked unanimous consent to set aside the pending amendment in order to consider Inhofe-Carper amendment #1851 (to modify the federal purchase of renewable energy requirement). Senator Vitter objected. Senator Vitter wants an agreement to vote on his healthcare amendment before any other amendments are considered.

 Senator Udall (CO) spoke about an amendment on energy retrofitting of schools that he would like to call up but will refrain from offering until there is no objection to setting aside the pending amendment.

Senator Bennet asked consent to call up amendment #1847 (commercial real estate landlords and tenants). Senator Vitter objected.

Senator Klobuchar asked consent to set aside the pending amendment in order to call up Klobuchar amendment #1856 (retrofitting nonprofit buildings). Senator Portman objected on behalf of Senator Vitter.

The Senate is in a period of morning business until 7pm with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. We expect to resume consideration of the energy efficiency bill tomorrow morning.

WRAP UP

No ROLL CALL VOTES

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Adopted S.Res.222, Supporting the goals and ideals of National Save for Retirement Week, including raising public awareness of the various tax-preferred retirement vehicles and increasing personal financial literacy.

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

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Last Floor Action:
10:02:01 A.M. – MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The
House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the
House will recess until 12:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.

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Black History

~~ the Senate ~~ CONGRESS ~~ the House


capitol30

FOR MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2013

The Senate will convene at 2:00pm on Monday, September 9, 2013.

At 5:00pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider the following items:

–          Executive Calendar #184 Valerie E. Caproni – to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York and

–          Executive Calendar #185 Vernon S. Broderick – to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York.

There will be up to 30 minutes of debate on the nomination equally divided and controlled in the usual form.  Upon the use or yielding back of time (at approximately 5:30pm), the Senate will proceed to vote on confirmation of the nominations.  Only roll call vote is expected Monday evening; one of the nominations is expected to be confirmed by voice vote.

5:34pm the Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #184, Valerie E. Caproni, of New York, to be a United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York.

Confirmed: 73-24

The Broderick nomination was confirmed by voice vote. The Senate is now in a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. There will be no further roll call votes tonight.

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTE

1)      Confirmation of Executive Calendar #184, the nomination of Valerie E. Caproni, of the District of Columbia, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York; Confirmed: 73-24

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Adopted S.Res.220, to authorize representation by the Senate Legal Counsel in the case of Wade vs. Miller, et al.

 EXECUTIVE ITEMS

Confirmed Executive Calendar #185, Vernon S. Broderick, of New York, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York by voice vote.

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House Floor Activities Legislative Day of September 09, 2013

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