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Want better care? Look at the data
By mike - 2010-08-12 There’s been some good news lately on treating Alzheimer’s disease. But while the test in itself is progress, what’s even more encouraging is how the breakthrough came about.

The Sacramento Sprint
By pedro - 2010-08-05 August is the last month of the legislative session, and this year is the second year of a legislative cycle. This means that any bill not passed by August 31st has to start over from the beginning of the process next year. Together, these factors are sure to make for a busy month here in Sacramento.

All aboard fast trains
By erin - 2010-07-28 How does the public feel about high-speed rail? A recent survey finds most Californians support building high-speed rail.

Lying about drug risks
By mike - 2010-07-15 FDA needs to take strong action to keep drug makers from concealing their products' risks.

The cost of repeal
By mike - 2010-06-30 Carly Fiorina calls for the repeal of health reform, but does she really know what she's asking for?

Next Stop: California. What high-speed rail will mean for the Golden State
By erin - 2010-06-29 As California vies for new high-speed rail funding, a new report examines high-speed rail abroad and highlights the benefits in store for California.

Pulling an all-nighter for consumers
By pedro - 2010-06-25 After twenty hours of legislative thumb wrestling, congress finally cranked out a very consumer friendly financial reform bill this morning. The congressional conference committee charged with reconciling the House and Senate financial reform bills voted on a final proposal that passed around 6AM EST today. Now the bill goes before the House and the Senate for final approval before heading to the President's desk.

Health care costs and the exchange
By mike - 2010-06-24 How new insurance exchanges can help make care more affordable.

Sacramento's Health Reform
By mike - 2010-06-16 Now that the federal health care reform law has finally passed, Sacramento is the stage for action.

Activism 101
By Emily - 2010-06-14 CALPIRG is sponsoring four activist trainings in Northern California over the next two weeks. Sign up to attend one today!

Two good reasons to go vote tomorrow
By Emily - 2010-06-07 Don't even think about skipping out on voting tomorrow. Vote No on Prop 16 and Vote Yes on Prop 15.

No Such Thing as a Free Lunch?
By mike - 2010-06-04 The recent controversy over ground-breaking health care research misses the mark.

Public Interest Bills Did Well This Week In Sacramento
By pedro - 2010-06-03 CALPIRG made nine pieces of legislation a priority this week. The bills ranged from government spending accountability and foreclosure prevention, to healthcare reform and ID theft protection.

Did Sens. Boxer and Feinstein stand up to Wall Street?
By Emily - 2010-06-02 We tallied up U.S. Senate votes on amendments to the massive financial reform bill over the last couple of weeks, and I am happy to report Sen. Boxer scored 100 percent for voting in the public interest, and Sen. Feinstein scored 82 percent.

Tide of Transit Fare Hike Continues to Rise
By erin - 2010-05-27 The number of the transit agencies considering fare hikes and service cuts is daunting. What should be done to tackle this crisis?

Preventing Corporate-Sponsored Elections
By Emily - 2010-05-26 CALPIRG is working to pass a California law that will require corporations to let their shareholders opt out of having their shares used for political purposes. Our bill is called the Shareholder Protection Act, it works like this: If a company wants to use its resources to influence election outcomes, it should ask the people who own that company, the shareholders.

Weighing in on Implementation
By mike - 2010-05-20 We're fighting the next phase of the health reform battle

Senate Climate Bill to Expand Innovative Transportation Options
By erin - 2010-05-14 This week Senator Kerry and Senator Lieberman rolled out the long-anticipated climate bill. Advocates for building a 21st century transportation system applaud key provisions that connect transportation policy to climate and energy goals, and then back these objectives up with funding.

CALPIRG's Campaign for Safe Food, Healthy Kids
By Emily - 2010-05-11 This weekend, a nationwide recall of lettuce was issued after bacterial contamination made 19 people sick and sent 12 others to the hospital, some with life-threatening conditions. [1] We need to be doing better on safety, especially for our kids, and CALPIRG has a plan, starting with school lunches.

Financial Reform Scorecard Up and Running
By pedro - 2010-05-06 The debate in DC on the new financial reform package is now in full swing and CALPIRG is keeping score. There are going to be quite a few amendments proposed to the new bill. Some are good and some are bad so as the votes roll in we will be updating the scorecard to show who is voting for the public and who is voting for the banks.

Permanent protection from premium hikes
By mike - 2010-05-03 Anthem Blue Cross is withdrawing their rate hikes -- but will they be able to try again?

Fixing Our Shiny New Toys
By erin - 2010-04-29 A new CALPIRG report, Road Work Ahead, strongly criticizes politicians and policies that favor building new roadways while neglecting existing bridges and roads. The report notes that drivers in California pay an extra $590 in car repairs due to highway and bridge disrepair.

Why Implementation Matters
By mike - 2010-04-20 Health reform requires insurers to become more efficient. But the first changes WellPoint is making are just about bookkeeping.

More Support, and More Opposition, on Financial Reform
By Emily - 2010-04-12 85 percent of Americans "believe that consumers need more effective protections against unfair and deceptive practices by banks and other financial institutions."

The Fights Ahead
By mike - 2010-04-07 With federal health reform finished, it's time for California to take center stage.

"What's In It For Me?"
By mike - 2010-03-25 With the health reform fight all but over, it all comes down to one simple question

60 Days Later in a Small Texas Town...
By pedro - 2010-03-23 The theoretical implications of the Supreme Court's decision regarding corporate spending on political campaigns become a reality.

Does Health Care Reform Wave the White Flag on Costs?
By mike - 2010-03-10 The latest talking point is that health reform doesn't do enough to lower costs. Is it true?

B of A Backs Down on Overdrafts
By pedro - 2010-03-09 Bank of America announced today that starting in June they will no longer automatically enroll customers in an overdraft "protection" plan.

Ignoring Earthquake Risks Could be Costly
By Emily - 2010-03-03 Recent headlines have proved a powerful reminder of the devastation that earthquakes cause. Regardless of how you may feel about nuclear power, you probably agree that putting a plant on a fault line is a bad idea.

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