Page 34 - Consumer Issues News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

Minnesota announced this week it has joined a multistate lawsuit against Facebook's parent company Meta, over claims of addictive social media features harming teens. It coincides with growing research about teens and gambling. Serena King, professor and chair of psychology at Hamline University, has been working with the Minnesota Alliance on Problem Gambling to analyze results from the most recent Minnesota Student Survey while the legal action plays out. ...

Nearly one in three Americans carry some form of medical debt, and consumer groups are warning patients about the risk of medical bankruptcy posed by some hospital billing practices. Adam Fox, deputy director of the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative, said hospitals are a significant driver of health care costs, in part because consumers have no way of knowing what the price of care will be, or if the cost is reasonable. "Because of the lack of transparency in health care billing, and hospital billing in particular, this puts consumers at risk of medical debt and unexpectedly high ...

Social Security is a critical benefit for older Americans, which is why advocates want Congress to start working now to ensure the program is maintained for future generations. Susan Nesbella, a volunteer with AARP Idaho, traveled to Washington, D.C., to celebrate 88 years of Social Security and also explore ways to ensure the program does not experience a shortfall. Nesbella pointed out reserves for the program will be depleted within the next 10 years. ...

Public schoolteachers in Texas say the state desperately needs to boost its overall investment in students and education programs. Instead, lawmakers are focused on a private school voucher program. Halfway through its third special session, the Texas Senate passed a bill to set aside taxpayer dollars for families to use on private schools, with a competing bill introduced in the House. ...

Eastern Kentucky's largest utility, Kentucky Power, wants to raise its residential and commercial rates. The state's Public Service Commission is slated to hear the case on November 28th, and if approved, changes would likely go into effect next year. Carrie Ray, director of energy programs with the Mountain Association explains that residential customers could see a 20% percent rate increase, and a 14% base-fee increase under the proposal. ...