Page 33 - Consumer Issues News Today

Black women are three times more likely to die during pregnancy than white women, even though more than eight in 10 pregnancy-related deaths are preventable. The recent finding by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is just one example of how health outcomes in Colorado and across the U.S. are not equal. ...

Small businesses owners in Texas are looking for help from lawmakers as the cost they pay to provide employees with health care coverage continues to rise. A survey by Small Business for Americas Future found participants believe hospital consolidations are a prime reason for the increased costs, and 80% claim theyre making care availability and quality in their communities worse and more expensive. Many small business owners struggling to provide employees with health coverage drop or cut ben...

Another tax season has wrapped up, and Wisconsin researchers found it is a reminder the states overall tax structure leaves low- and middle-income families behind. A policy group said data show it is becoming harder for these households to survive. The organization Kids Forward used state Revenue Department information and census data for its new policy brief. ...

The Biden administration is expanding access to health coverage under the Affordable Care Act to include young people in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will expand the meaning of the term "lawful presence" in the country to include DACA recipients. ...

Consumer groups are calling for changes to a proposed bill - needed to make sure drivers can continue to get free computer upgrades to repair serious car safety issues remotely. One of the provisions of Assembly Bill 473 would forbid car manufacturers from competing with car dealers regarding sales or service. Rosemary Shahan, president, Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety, said the measure could have unintended consequences. ...

Higher tax rates for high-income households in Massachusetts are not causing them to leave the state, according to IRS data in a new report from the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center. In fact, the out-migration rate of households in Massachusetts earning more than $200,000 a year between 2011 and 2020 was lower than forty other states. Kurt Wise, tax policy analyst at the center, said tax changes have little impact on where wealthy households choose to live. ...

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders is expected to sign a bipartisan bill to create an Election Integrity Unit in the state Attorney Generals office. Its goal will be to investigate potential voter fraud, but critics question whether voter fraud is an issue in Arkansas. ...

Voting-rights advocates say democracy in the United States has been tested in the past few years. In response, the Minnesota House has passed a bill sponsors say would protect and strengthen a persons ability to cast a ballot. The Democracy for the People Act would establish automatic voter registration for those who are eligible and a permanent absentee ballot list. ...

Organ donor recipients and their families will join Gov. Janet Mills at the State House today to highlight Organ Donation Month in Maine. Advocates of organ donation say more than 1,300 lives were saved in New England last year because of individuals who registered as organ donors at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. ...

Early data show young voters were a driving force in last weeks Wisconsin Supreme Court election, and civic engagement groups said they are not done with outreach efforts, suggesting younger generations are ready to be vocal about a range of issues. The outcome of the judicial race means the balance of the states high court will favor liberals. Matter such as abortion access were considered key factors in the election. ...