We need a COVID-19 testing plan that meets our current needs and implements the widespread testing public health experts say it will take to move away from social distancing.
We need a COVID-19 testing plan that meets our current needs and implements the widespread testing public health experts say it will take to move away from social distancing.
Public Health
Responding to the crisis
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, now more than ever, we need to work together to ensure that our government has a coordinated, strategic response to safeguard the public’s health, protect consumers from emerging dangers and ensure people can still participate fully in our democracy.
COVID-19
Oregon legislators join national call for an end to coronavirus-related online price gouging
On April 9, 18 Oregon state legislators joined U.S. PIRG Education Fund in sending a letter urging prominent online retailers to prevent price gouging on their platforms. Since the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak, the cost of critical health supplies has spiked dramatically on online platforms, analysis released by OSPIRG Foundation found.
Health Care
Oregon drug prices five times higher than in other countries, report finds
A prescription medication in Oregon, on average, costs five times as much as the most expensive international price. OSPIRG is calling on the Department of Consumer and Business Services to improve transparency by compelling drug manufacturers to publish their profits, among other information.
Tax
Federal Reserve provides transparency on largest bailout in U.S. history
The Federal Reserve announced that it will disclose online the names of companies receiving up to $4.5 trillion in CARES Act lending, as well as the terms of those deals. Transparency from the Federal Reserve will help ensure that federal loans intended to provide relief are used in ways that serve the public interest.
We can't do it without you.
OSPIRG is your advocate for the public interest, speaking out for healthier, safer, more secure lives for all of us.
News & Research
Blog Post
Mortgage servicers failed Americans during the last recession. And if early data from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is any indication, history may well be on its way to repeating.
News Release | U.S. PIRG Education Fund
This coming Monday, June 1, will mark the third full month that bills are due since COVID-19 was declared a national state of emergency in March. To help Americans manage their finances, U.S. PIRG Education Fund has published an updated guide with tips on what to do about paying bills during the crisis.
News Release | U.S. PIRG
U.S. PIRG has joined leading consumer and banking organizations to applaud a bi-partisan Senate bill to broaden protections in the recent COVID-19 stimulus package. Under the CARES Act, Congress exempted Economic Impact Payments from offset for debts owed to federal and state agencies, except in the case of child support, but did not exempt them from court-ordered garnishment to pay creditors.
Blog Post
Most airlines are only offering vouchers, not refunds, when passengers cancel their flights due to concerns about COVID-19.
Blog Post
Oregon has a solid plan to reopen, but the State must stick with it to both loosen restrictions and keep Oregonians safe. Improved transparency and more consistent application of the reopening benchmarks is needed to do so.
RESOURCE
Coronavirus update
In the midst of the coronavirus outbreak, we’ve taken steps for all of our staff to work remotely for safety reasons. But rest assured, we’ll keep advocating for you as we work for a healthier, safer world.
Learn more about how we can work together to address the COVID-19 pandemic.