Consumer rights & well-being

The U.S. negotiates Medicare drug price cuts that will save billions for U.S. citizens

By Peter Schulte / August 15, 2024

The United States has negotiated down the prices of 10 top-selling prescription drugs used by Medicare by as much as 79%, hoping to save $6 billion in the first year as part of a plan hailed on Thursday by President Joe Biden with the aim to ease anger about high prices ahead of November elections. Biden’s signature Inflation Reduction Act, signed into law in 2022, was the first to allow Medicare to negotiate prices for some of the most costly drugs that the program covers for 66 million people. The new prices will go into effect in 2026.

Oregon governor signs nation’s first right-to-repair bill that bans parts pairing

By Peter Schulte / March 27, 2024

The law, like those passed in New York, California, and Minnesota, will require many manufacturers to provide the same parts, tools, and documentation to individuals and repair shops that they provide to their own repair teams. But Oregon’s bill goes further, preventing companies from implementing schemes that require parts to be verified through encrypted software checks before they will function.

U.S. sets policy to seize patents of government-funded drugs if price deemed too high

By Peter Schulte / December 7, 2023

“We’ll make it clear that when drug companies won’t sell taxpayer funded drugs at reasonable prices, we will be prepared to allow other companies to provide those drugs for less,” White House adviser Lael Brainard said on a press call.

California becomes third U.S. state to pass right-to-repair legislation

By Peter Schulte / September 29, 2023

California will now require corporations to offer access to repair resources like parts, tools, documentation, and software for three years for products priced between $50 and $99.99 and seven years for those priced at $100 or higher. The act applies to gadgets and appliances made after July 1, 2021.

E.U. requires smartphones to have user-replaceable batteries by 2027

By Peter Schulte / June 22, 2023

For “portable batteries” used in devices such as smartphones, tablets, and cameras, consumers must be able to “easily remove and replace them,” reducing costs for consumers and reducing e-waste.

Apple to start backing self-service technology repair

By Peter Schulte / November 19, 2021

The program, Self Service Repair, will include tools, manuals, and Apple parts for users to fix their own products when something goes awry. It is set to launch in 2022.

Historic Microsoft agreement allow customers to more easily repair devices

By Peter Schulte / October 15, 2021

The move is being described as a “first of its kind victory,” as Microsoft becomes the only major company to bow to the whims of a shareholder resolution regarding the “right-to-repair.”

Consumer Reports confirms electric car owners spend half as much on maintenance

By Peter Schulte / October 7, 2020

Chris Harto, CR’s senior transportation policy analyst, says: “Electric vehicle owners don’t need a coupon to get half-off typical maintenance and repair costs from their dealer, it comes standard! These savings are going a long way to offset the upfront costs for consumers.”

Prescription drugs on an orange background with a pill bottle. Orange pills.

California to produce its own generic drugs to take down big pharma

By Peter Schulte / October 2, 2020

“Our bill will help inject competition back into the generic drug marketplace—taking pricing power away from big pharmaceutical companies and returning it to consumers,” said Gov. Gavin Newsom.