Viewpoint

Here, a monthly perspective from Consumer Reports on the latest challenges—and possible solutions—facing U.S. consumers today. See archived installments of Viewpoint.

$2,175

The average amount of homeowners in the U.S. spend on utility bills each year. Consumers Union is pushing for updated building codes so that homes use less energy and consumers save money. Learn more at www.AGreenerFuture.org.

Get what you pay for

The issue

Limits on how health insurers can spend your premiums are at risk; consumers will pay the price.

Our take

Recent health-care reform put in place a consumer protection, minimum levels for the "medical loss ratio," or MLR. Insurers must use 80 to 85 cents of every premium dollar for medical care. The other 15 to 20 cents can go to administrative costs.

That means more of your dollar is spent keeping you healthy, rather than paying for budget items such as slick advertising. In some cases, that has helped to rein in potential rate hikes.

But some bills in Congress threaten to repeal the MLR, which could lead to yet higher premiums. Consumers Union opposes those bills and any other efforts to waste your health-care dollars.

Quotable

"Consumers expected to get a workout, not to get worked over."

—David Vladeck, Director of the Federal Trade Commission's Bureau of Consumer Protection, on Reebok's unsupported advertising claims for "toning shoes." The company must pay $25 million as part of a settlement for saying that the shoes tone leg and buttock muscles more than regular ones. Adding injury to insult, Consumer Reports experts say that toning shoes can cause pain and injuries.

Winners circle

Helen Haskell (left) and Julia Hallisy

It's Consumers Union's 75th anniversary, and it's a pleasure to celebrate by honoring another, much smaller consumer group. The Empowered Patient Coalition is the winner of Consumers Union's first Excellence in Consumer Advocacy Award.

The coalition was founded in 2009 by Julia Hallisy and Helen Haskell, both of whose children suffered devastating medical errors. They have created a hospital guide and other tools for patients and families, and run workshops across the country to help patients take charge of their medical care. The group works nationally to build patient-advocacy networks that bring about reform.

The $25,000 award will help the coalition create educational materials and become self-sustaining. The coalition was one of 150 nominees for the award. You can read about other finalists in upcoming issues or online at www.ConsumerReports.org/consumeraward.