Page 5 - Consumer Issues News Today

Connecticuts Insurance and Real Estate Committee failed to advance any bills by its legislative deadline. Almost 40 bills were brought before the committee this session, but last-minute disagreements cost them a chance to vote on any of them. Some of this legislation could have provided relief for residents, since insurance rates increased this year. ...

A new report from the Arizona PIRG Education Fund finds that Arizonans are getting hit with what are known as facility fees, leading to higher costs for medical care. Maribeth Guarino, health-care advocate with PIRG, said facility fees can be thought of as a flat charge, added to a patients bill only for stepping through the door of a doctors office to seek care. She said facility fees are arbitrary and cost anywhere between a few dollars and thousands of dollars. ...

More than 8% of Utahs population lives in poverty, according to the Census and an event this month wants to give participants a better idea of the challenges and barriers those in poverty face on a daily basis. Stefanie Jones, program specialist for the Community Action Partnership of Utah, said the poverty simulation happening at the University of Utah on April 9 is all about catalyzing local change as well as empathy for those experiencing difficult times. "Really, I think what the...

This year Californians can file simple tax forms for free and save time to boot, thanks to a new pilot project from the Internal Revenue Service called IRS Direct File. Californians spend an average of 9 hours and $150 a year to file their taxes. Adam Ruben, vice president of campaigns and political strategy for the nonprofit advocacy organization the Economic Security Project, said now they can just go to Directfile.IRS.gov. ...

Earlier this month, a new Arizona Public Service rate hike went into effect and one senior advocacy group said those on a fixed income may struggle to now pay their energy bills. According to the utility, the average residential customer will see an expected bill increase of about 8%, which translates to about $10.50 a month. They said it is all in an effort to continue to provide Arizonans with reliable and resilient power and make "critical investments" in their system. ...

A 2023 study from the University of Nebraska Medical Center concluded the number of Nebraskans with a mental health or substance abuse disorder has probably increased over the pre-pandemic level of 20%. It also observed 88 of Nebraskas 93 counties have a shortage of behavioral health professionals. Nonetheless, the state budget now awaiting Gov. ...

In Mississippi and across the country, Community Health Centers are getting a funding increase, thanks to Congress passing a bipartisan spending package. Community Health Centers in Mississippi serve patients without regard to their insurance status or ability to pay. More than 20 locations in the state provide medical care to more than more than 380,000 people. ...

Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has emerged from a long court case with another win. After nine years and multiple delays, prosecutors are going to drop securities fraud charges against the embattled official. As part of the deal, Paxton must perform 100 hours of community service, pay almost $300,000 in restitution and take advanced legal education courses. ...

The recent health diagnosis for Catherine, Princess of Wales, is shining a spotlight on the importance for Hoosiers younger than 50 to be screened for certain cancers. The news comes during a time of rising cancer rates among young people. Mary Robertson, lead in cancer prevention at Indiana Universitys Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center in Indianapolis, said family history significantly impacts cancer risk, and stressed the importance of transparent discussions within families. ...

This month marks the 25th anniversary of the Renaissance Childrens Center, which serves low-income families and those experiencing homelessness with infants and children up to the time they enter kindergarten. Susan Dunn, director of the center, said many kids who have spent time in the 6,600 square-foot facility in Lakewood have lived in transitional housing, in cars, or have camped out with their parents as they work to get back on their feet. "The children are coming here while th...