Flying The Web For News.
  • Career Exam Study
    Career Exam Study
  • US Politics
    US Politics
  • E-commerce Guide
    E-commerce Guide
  • Dropshipping Guide
    Dropshipping Guide
  • Microsoft Exam
    Microsoft Exam
  • IT Career News
    IT Career News

Article Tools/Herramientas de artículos

+ Larger Font/Fuente más grande | - Smaller Font/Fuente más pequeña




Consumer Daily Reports

Consumer News: Medical debt may be returning to consumer credit reports

Details
Category: Consumer Daily Reports

GOP lawmakers preparing to overturn Biden-era rule that protected consumers

By James R. Hood of ConsumerAffairs
March 26, 2025

Key Points

  • Senate Republicans introduced a resolution to nullify a CFPB rule banning medical debt from credit reports.

  • Critics say the rule exceeds the CFPBs authority and could limit consumer access to credit.

  • The rule is also facing legal challenges from credit industry and debt collection groups.

Details

Republican lawmakers in Congress are pushing to overturn a new rule from theConsumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)that bansmedical debt from appearing on credit reportsand restricts its use in lending decisions.

Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.)has introducedS.J. Res. 36, aCongressional Review Act (CRA)resolution aimed at nullifying the rule, which was finalized by the CFPB onJanuary 7, 2025, just days before President Biden left office. The resolution is cosponsored bySen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), chairman of the Senate Banking Committee.

The CFPB going beyond their statutory authority to eliminate all medical debt from credit reports is irresponsible and a clear example of regulatory overreach, Rounds said. He warned that the rule could lead to banks having a less clear credit picture and limit access to credit for consumers.

Acompanion resolution,H.J. Res. 74, has been introduced in the House byRep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.).

Sen. Scott echoed those concerns, stating that while medical debt is a serious issue, this rule will do nothing to address the underlying issues. Instead, it will reduce access to credit and important health care services for those most in need.

The rule was finalized in January 2025 as the CFPB was preparing to pack up and turn over its operations to the incoming Trump Administration.

"People who get sick shouldn't have their financial future upended," CFPB Director Rohit Chopra said in announcing the new rules in January. "The CFPB's final rule will close a special carveout that has allowed debt collectors to abuse the credit reporting system to coerce people into paying medical bills they may not even owe."

Rule faces legal challenges

The CFPB rule is also being challenged in court. Two separate lawsuits have been filed in federal courts in Texas:

  • TheConsumer Data Industry Association (CDIA)and theCornerstone Credit Union Leaguefiled the first suit, claiming the ruleplainly exceeds the CFPBs legal authorityunder theFair Credit Reporting Act.

  • A second suit byACA International, a debt collection industry group, andSpecialized Collection Services Inc., argues the CFPB is exploiting public frustration with medical bills to issue a politically motivated regulation.

Both suits contend the CFPB lacks both the legal authority and the healthcare expertise to impose such restrictions and argue the rule is based more on politics than policy.

The CFPB has not yet publicly responded to the congressional resolutions or the lawsuits.

Sign up below for The Daily Consumer, our newsletter on the latest consumer news, including recalls, scams, lawsuits and more.




Posted: 2025-03-26 22:26:45

Get Full News Story On Consumer Affairs



Listen to this article. Speaker link opens in a new window.
Text To Speech BETA Test Version.



More News From This Category

Consumer News: Ford rolls out “Zero, Zero, Zero” deal after strong first half

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 16:07:08 +0000

Employee-pricing with no money down promo extended

By Truman Lewis of ConsumerAffairs
July 9, 2025
  • Fords employee-pricing-for-all promo boosted first-half sales, helping offset tariff impacts.

  • The new Zero, Zero, Zero deal offers no money down, no payments for 90 days, and 0% interest for 48 months on many 2024 and 2025 models.

  • Popular trucks, Broncos, and electric models like the F-150 Lightning remain excluded from the new offer.

After a strong first half of 2025, Ford is shifting gears from its successful employee-pricing-for-all program to a fresh sales incentive called the Zero, Zero, Zero offer.

Kicking off July 8, the campaign gives customers a chance to get into eligible Ford and Lincoln vehicles with zero down payment, zero percent financing for 48 months, and no payments for the first 90 days.

The strategy, according to Fords U.S. sales and dealer relations director Rob Kaffl, aims to help buyers facing squeezed budgets from high mortgage rates and summer expenses.

Some exceptions

However, while the deal covers a broad lineupincluding the Escape, Explorer, F-150, Mustang, and several Lincoln SUVsFord has carved out significant exclusions.

Models like the 2024 and 2025 Raptors, Maverick, Ranger, Super Duty trucks above XL trim, Transits (except ICE cargo and passenger vans), 2025 Broncos and Bronco Sports, Expeditions, Lincoln Navigators, and electric vehicles like the F-150 Lightning and Mustang Mach-E wont qualify for the new promotion.

In addition, Ford is sweetening the pot for EV shoppers by extending its Ford Power Promise through September 30. Buyers or lessees of eligible electric vehicles will continue to receive a complimentary SAE Level 2 home charger along with free installation, reinforcing the automakers bid to maintain EV momentum despite a cooling market.


Read More ...

Consumer News: FTC calls out firms for allegedly deceptive Made in USA claims

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 16:07:08 +0000

Amazon and Walmart have also gotten warnings

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs
July 9, 2025

  • FTC targets deceptive "Made in USA" claims with warning letters to four companies.

  • Amazon and Walmart notified over suspect product listings by third-party sellers.

  • Agency reaffirms strict compliance with "Made in USA" labeling standards.

Since taking office, the Trump administration has taken steps to encourage U.S. manufacturing, even placing tariffs on products made elsewhere. The Federal Trade Commission sent out a wave of warning letters this week to companies it says are stretching the truth in that regard.

The agency cautioned four manufacturers and sent notices to retail giants Amazon and Walmart regarding potentially deceptive labeling practices by third-party sellers on their platforms.

FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson underscored the significance of accurate labeling in a statement accompanying the announcement.

Made in the USA is not just a slogan its a sign that a product connects us to the workers and businesses that make America great, Ferguson said. Consumers want to have confidence that when they buy something labelled Made in the USA they are actually supporting American workers and the American economy. Companies that falsely claim their products are Made in the USA can expect to hear from the FTC.

Companies named in the warning

The warning letters target four businesses whose products are allegedly mislabeled or insufficiently substantiated as U.S.-made:

  • Americana Liberty, a flagpole retailer

  • Oak Street Manufacturing, LLC, a footwear manufacturer

  • Pro Sports Group LLC, a football equipment company

  • USA Big Mountain Paper Inc., a personal care product maker

The companies were reminded that under the FTC Act and the Made in USA Labeling Rule, any product marketed as Made in USA must be all or virtually all made in the United States. The FTC instructed them to either halt such marketing or provide clear substantiation.

Failure to comply can result in legal consequences, including subpoenas, federal lawsuits, injunctive actions, and civil penalties.

Amazon and Walmart are also under scrutiny

In addition to targeting individual manufacturers, the FTC sent letters to Amazon and Walmart, emphasizing that their platforms host third-party sellers making questionable Made in USA assertions. The agency warned that such representations may violate both the FTC Act and the platforms own seller policies.

The letters serve not only as a warning but also as a guide, reminding online marketplaces of

The FTC said the regulatory action is part of the FTCs broader July campaign to reinforce the importance of accurate origin labeling. The agency said it is promoting consumer trust in American-made products while ensuring companies adhere to federal standards.


Read More ...

Consumer News: U.S. kids' health in decline, study finds

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 16:07:08 +0000

New study reveals concerning trends in U.S. children's well-being

By Kristen Dalli of ConsumerAffairs
July 9, 2025

  • A new study found that more than one in five U.S. children now have multiple chronic health conditions.

  • The study also found that developmental, behavioral, and mental health issues are all rising.

  • Overall child health improved from 2016 to 2020, then reversed during the pandemic.

A new study led by researchers at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) has uncovered a troubling trend: children's overall health in the United States is getting worse.

Published in JAMA in July 2025, the study shows that more American children are facing a combination of physical, mental, and developmental health issues than in years past.

While there was a period of progress between 2016 and 2020 where rates of chronic conditions and disability went down researchers found that this progress stalled and then reversed during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings raise concerns about the long-term impact of the pandemic on childrens health and well-being, especially among those from lower-income households.

In the course of conducting this study, there wasnt a single statistic that was startling, but instead comprehensive data over several years including millions of children all pointed to the same trends, which was an overall decline in the health of children and youth, senior study author Christopher B. Forrest, M.D., Ph.D., said in a news release.

The study

The research team analyzed data from the National Survey of Childrens Health, which includes parent-reported health information on over 200,000 children aged 0 to 17.

They focused on three main categories of child health:

  1. Chronic physical conditions (like asthma or allergies)

  2. Developmental or behavioral conditions (like ADHD or learning disabilities)

  3. Mental health conditions (like anxiety or depression)

Researchers then grouped children by how many types of conditions they had: none, one, or two or more. They tracked these trends from 2016 through 2021 to see how things changed over time.

Importantly, the study didnt just look at medical diagnoses it also considered broader impacts like disability, access to care, and how many children were affected across multiple areas of health.

The results

The results were concerning. In 2021:

  • Nearly one in fourchildren (23.6%) had two or more health conditions, up from 20.4% in 2016.

  • Children with no health conditions dropped from 45.3% to 39.4%.

  • Mental health conditions, especially among teens, were on the rise.

  • Children in lower-income households were more likely to have multiple chronic health issues.

The study also highlighted how progress in children's health from 2016 to 2020 was essentially erased during the pandemic. In fact, some health indicators have now worsened beyond pre-pandemic levels.

Researchers say these findings should be a wake-up call for policymakers and health care providers. The growing number of children dealing with complex, overlapping health issues means that the current pediatric health system may need to evolve to better support families.

Children are naturally resilient and adaptive, Forrest said. If we can improve the ecosystems that surround them and meet the challenges we identified in this study, we can lay the foundation for a healthier future for our nations youth.


Read More ...

Consumer News: Court overturns FTC’s "Click to Cancel" Rule

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 16:07:08 +0000

The rule would have made it easier and simpler to cancel unwanted subscriptions

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs
July 9, 2025
  • Federal appeals court strikes down FTCs click to cancel rule, citing regulatory overreach
  • Consumer advocates warn the decision could make canceling subscriptions harder for millions
  • Legal uncertainty looms for subscription-based businesses as industry braces for next steps

Companies that provide services long ago learned that if they could persuade customers to subscribe and pay a monthly fee, they would be assured of a constant revenue flow. Many that took that step did not make it easy to unsubscribe.

Enter the Federal Trade Commission, which last year finalized the click to cancel rule, requiring companies that sold subscriptions to make it easy for customers to cancel. But what seemed like a victory for consumers has now been overturned by the courts.


The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit on Tuesday struck down the FTCs click to cancel rule, finding the FTC had exceeded its authority under Section 18 of the FTC Act.

The rule and the ruling

The now-defunct rule, finalized in March 2024, required businesses to provide a straightforward online mechanismoften a single click or clearly labeled buttonfor customers to cancel subscriptions and recurring charges. It also prohibited companies from obstructing the cancellation process with unwanted prompts, retention offers, or long call center wait times.

But in a 2-1 decision, the court ruled that the rule constituted a significant expansion of the Commissions rulemaking powers without explicit congressional authorization.

The Commission cannot create sweeping mandates that transform how businesses operate without a clear legislative directive, the justices wrote.

Industry cheers, advocates warn

Business groups and subscription-based platforms welcomed the ruling as a check on what they characterized as heavy-handed regulation. The National Retail Federation and Chamber of Digital Commerce, which had both filed amicus briefs in support of the challenge, praised the decision as a victory for regulatory balance and innovation.

However, consumer protection groups reacted with alarm, pointing out that companies have deployed a well-documented practice of using dark patterns and deceptive practices to keep consumers paying for a service they no longer want or need.


Read More ...

Consumer News: Key indicator suggests used car prices will continue to rise

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 13:07:08 +0000

Prices at the wholesale level rose 6.3% in June

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs
July 9, 2025

  • The Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index climbed to 208.5, up 6.3% year over year and 1.6% month over month, reflecting seasonal strength despite tariff-driven volatility.

  • Retail demand remains solid as off-lease supply continues to tighten, supporting higher used-vehicle values.

  • The used-vehicle market is showing signs of normalization and resilience, outperforming the new-vehicle segment in terms of stability.

The wholesale used-vehicle market posted a notable uptick in June, defying the typical seasonal downtrend and signaling continued strength in a sector buoyed by resilient demand and tightening supply. That suggests prices on used car lots may continue to rise.

According to the latest data from Cox Automotive, the Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index, which tracks vehicle prices at the wholesale level, rose to 208.5, a 6.3% increase from a year ago and up 1.6% from May after seasonal adjustments.

Tariffs, which are making new cars more expensive, were likely a factor. However, despite the seasonally adjusted index showing a monthly rise, non-adjusted wholesale prices actually fell by 1.1% in June, a sharper-than-usual decline. This disconnect was largely attributed to price volatility following recent tariff announcements that disrupted new-vehicle supply chains and trickled down to affect used-vehicle dynamics.

Wholesale appreciation trends have been more volatile over Q2 as tariffs really impacted new sales and supply, said Jeremy Robb, senior director of Economic and Industry Insights at Cox Automotive. Even so, retail sales continue to run a bit hotter than prior years.

Signs of market stabilization

Industry experts see encouraging signs that the used market is returning to a more stable rhythm after years of pandemic-induced turbulence.

Historically, the used market has been incredibly consistent; but the pandemic disrupted much of that consistency, said Jonathan Smoke, chief economist at Cox Automotive. What we are seeing suggests we could finally be out of that pattern.

Improved supply bolstered by trade-ins linked to new-vehicle sales earlier this year is contributing to a more normalized market. This balance between supply and demand is expected to support continued price strength in the second half of 2025.

Elevated depreciation trends

While June saw stronger index readings overall, weekly data from the Manheim Market Report (MMR) indicated elevated depreciation, especially in the latter half of the month. MMR values fell each week, culminating in a 0.6% drop in the final week.

Over four weeks, three-year-old vehicles depreciated by 1.3%, a much steeper decline than the 0.6% historical average for the same period.

Still, the average daily sales conversion rate rose to 57.8%, up over 1 percentage point from May and well above the three-year June average of 53.1%, signaling continued retail demand.

The luxury vehicle segment once again led price appreciation, climbing 8.8% year over year, followed by SUVs at 6.0%. In contrast, compact cars declined by 0.1% the only segment to register a drop while mid-size sedans and trucks posted modest gains of 2.8%.

Retail used-vehicle sales slipped 1.5% from May but remained 2% higher than June 2024. Listing prices edged up 0.3%, and days supply remained unchanged month-over-month at 45 days still slightly tighter than last years 46-day supply.

In contrast, new-vehicle sales slumped. June saw a 14.2% drop from May and a 4.2% year-over-year decline, dragged down by cooling demand and tariff pressures. Retail new sales were estimated to be 3.0% lower than a year ago, with the fleet share dipping to 17.6%.


Read More ...

Related Bing News Results

Every new car under $25k recommended by Consumer Reports - MSN

Thu, 24 Apr 2025 14:53:00 GMT
The 2025 Nissan Versa gets an average of 32 MPG and starts at just $17,190, making it by far the cheapest new car that Consumer Reports recommends. The 2025 Toyota Corolla gets 36 MPG and starts ...

Consumer Reports: Top smartphone accessibility features

Mon, 14 Apr 2025 18:43:00 GMT
consumer reports reveals the top accessibility tools that can make a difference. FOR CONSUMER REPORTS RESEARCH SPECIALIST CARLA NOBOA, EVERYDAY TASKS HAVEN’T ALWAYS BEEN EASY DUE TO PHYSICAL AND ...

Consumer Reports: The top 2025 cars, trucks and SUVs - WMUR

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 17:33:00 GMT
With more than 260 new vehicles on the market, finding a safe, reliable and budget-friendly car can be challenging. Consumer Reports tests new vehicles daily, evaluating everything from safety and ...

Rivian’s EVs ranked last on Consumer Reports reliability list

Fri, 06 Dec 2024 13:38:00 GMT
Consumer Reports has put out its annual automaker reliability list, and the top spot is relatively unsurprising: Subaru.What may come as a surprise to some is that Rivian’s EVs are dead last ...

Consumer Reports: Rocket fuel perchlorate in our food - KCRA Channel 3

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 01:36:00 GMT
Consumer Reports recent tests found perchlorate in two-thirds of food samples, with the highest levels in baby and kids food, fast food, and fresh produce – such as boxed mac and cheese and baby ...

🔎 Search This Topic on Popular Platforms

Blow Us A Whistle




Related Product Search/Búsqueda de productos relacionados