thornyone's Blog

Minerva Novoa,
Internet Advocacy Coordinator

Dear Karen,

Ever had food poisoning? Whew! It's not pretty. And for thousands every year, it's deadly.

The FDA inspects U.S. food processing plants only once every five to ten years, even less overseas. Yet more uninspected food is coming from China and elsewhere.

Take a moment right now to support strong food safety bills in Congress.

The recent recall of 143 million pounds of beef, after undercover video showed processors shoveling sick animals to slaughter, spurred an outcry about our failing food safety system. Now leaders in Congress vow to make real change. But it won't happen with out strong support from you.

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Test your credit card IQ
Do you know how your credit card company sets your interest rate or fees? Take our quick quiz, and see if you know how your cards really work. And when you do, spend another moment to support a Senate bill to help end credit card company tricks and traps. Thanks to you, more than 100,000 emails have already been sent calling for real reform we have momentum!

Shine the light on drug company payoffs
Does your doctor accept lunches, trips to conferences, even speaking fees from drug companies? Doctors get an average of 28 visits from drug company reps each week, and sadly, research shows that all this marketing influences physicians to prescribe the drugs these reps are selling. It’s time to make drug companies publicly report gifts to doctors.

Were you given the wrong medication?
At least 1.5 million people each year get the wrong drug or dose while in a hospital or medical facility. Dennis Quaid's newborn twins are among the most well-known victims, but mistakes aren’t rare -- an estimated 90,000 people die annually. In fact, it’s so common we expect many of you have had a similar experience, and we want to hear your story. Tell us your experience with a medication error!

More states offer financial privacy protection
In recent weeks, Idaho and South Carolina have joined 40 other states in giving residents the ability to prevent thieves from getting credit in their name. Its called a credit freeze. Bills to give consumers in Georgia, Arizona and Alaska this important protection await the Governors' signatures. Click here to learn how to access and use your new privacy rights!