Health professionals warn we don’t have enough ventilators to treat the projected number of COVID-19 patients. Tell the Trump administration to use its emergency powers to dramatically ramp up ventilator production.
Health professionals warn we don’t have enough ventilators to treat the projected number of COVID-19 patients. Tell the Trump administration to use its emergency powers to dramatically ramp up ventilator production.
Democracy
PIRG urges states to adopt emergency absentee voting
The novel coronavirus outbreak is, understandably, causing many Americans to think twice about going to the polls. To protect public health and the integrity of our elections, PIRG is calling on states to make sure residents can cast absentee ballots for the 2020 elections.
COVID-19
Manufacturers should release service information for hospital ventilators
During this public health crisis, it is vitally important that qualified technicians be able to repair and maintain our ventilators. But some manufacturers don't provide easy access to the repair documentation needed to fix these lifesaving devices.
Solid Waste
Philadelphia becomes the latest city to get rid of plastic bags
On Dec. 12, the Philadelphia City Council passed legislation to ban single-use plastic bags after nearly a decade of debate on how to address the city's pollution and litter problems. Learn more about our campaign to phase out the worst single-use plastic items in Pennsylvania.
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.
We can't do it without you.
PennPIRG is your advocate for the public interest, speaking out for healthier, safer, more secure lives for all of us.
News & Research
Blog Post
Rich Cordray, the first director of the CFPB and author of a new book on his six years at its helm, has issued a powerful memo to its current director, Kathy Kraninger, urging her to stop "relaxing" duties on financial firms and to "lose no further time" in "shield[ing] households and families" from the "economic harms" they face as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
News Release | U.S. PIRG
Today, U.S. PIRG delivered 43,000-plus signatures to ventilator manufacturers -- including GE Healthcare, Phillips, Siemens, Drager, Hamilton, Medtronic and more -- calling for the release of all necessary repair information.
News Release | U.S. PIRG
A new investigation by ProPublica, along with reporting by numerous other outlets, has revealed that suppliers are using the COVID-19 public health emergency to drive up prices exorbitantly on medical equipment.
News Release | U.S. PIRG Education Fund
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a full recall Wednesday of all ranitidine, a heartburn medication known by the brand name Zantac.
News Release | U.S. PIRG Education Fund
The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has left many Americans wondering how they’re going to pay their monthly bills. U.S. PIRG Education Fund new advice on how to negotiate with banks, utilities delaying payments, waiving of overdraft fees and other ways to stay financially secure.
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.