With cases on the rise, Congress should pass the Medical Supply Transparency and Delivery Act, which would establish a system for distributing critical medical supplies to impacted areas.
With cases on the rise, Congress should pass the Medical Supply Transparency and Delivery Act, which would establish a system for distributing critical medical supplies to impacted areas.
Public Health
Responding to the COVID 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.
Solid Waste
Cambridge resolution calls for end to moratorium on reusable bags
To reduce waste in its community, the Cambridge City Council has passed a resolution calling on Gov. Charlie Baker to lift a statewide moratorium on reusable grocery bags. The use of reusable bags was paused in March due to concerns about the spread of COVID-19.
Consumer Protection
MASSPIRG, Sen. Markey and other advocates call for air travel refunds
MASSPIRG, U.S. Sen. Ed Markey (Mass.), Consumer Reports and other public interest advocates are calling for airlines to return cash to travelers who canceled their plans due to COVID-19. The groups delivered nearly 250,000 petition signatures urging major airlines to provide full refunds for these cancellations.
Solid Waste
MASSPIRG applauds decision to resume bottle bill enforcement
Gov. Charlie Baker took a crucial step toward reviving waste reduction efforts in the commonwealth by restoring enforcement of the Massachusetts bottle bill. This and other plastic waste reduction policies were paused due to safety fears amid the coronavirus pandemic — fears that, a New York Times reporter found, the plastics industry inflamed.
We can't do it without you.
MASSPIRG is your advocate for the public interest, speaking out for healthier, safer, more secure lives for all of us.
News & Research
News Release | MASSPIRG
Proprietary medical device repair harms hospitals, could threaten patients, during COVID-19 pandemic
BOSTON -- The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is putting incredible stress on the U.S. medical system, including the equipment that is essential to diagnose and treat patients, such as ventilators. As that equipment is pressed into round-the-clock use, biomedical repair technicians face increasing pressure to maintain and repair all that equipment.
Report | MASSPIRG
COVID-19 is putting incredible stress on the U.S. medical system, including the work of hospital biomedical repair technicians, known as biomeds or BMETs. These technicians are essential; hospitals need working equipment to diagnose and treat patients. But in some cases, manufacturers restrict access to what biomeds need.
As ventilators are pressed into around-the-clock use, repair and maintenance issues will increase. While some ventilator manufacturers provide service information, other manufacturers make it hard to access manuals, read error logs or run diagnostic tests.
News Release | MASSPIRG
Critical legislation that will help keep elections safe, accessible, and participatory this fall in the face of threats posed by COVID-19 has been signed by Governor Baker.
Blog Post
Many plans for building new highways are absurd. But do we miss something important by limiting our conversation about “highway boondoggles” to new highway capacity?
News Release | MASSPIRG
Boston—A coalition of groups including MASSPIRG, Health Care for All, Massachusetts Public Health Association, Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action, and several other groups sent letters to Senator Warren and Senator Markey today thanking them for supporting the Medical Supply Transparency and Delivery Act, which would establish central, transparent coordination of the medical supply chain during the COVID-19 crisis. The groups are also asking Senator Warren and Markey to urge the Senate leadership to include the legislation in the next coronavirus stimulus package. The letter comes after health officials expressed serious concern over continued shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) amid rising cases and a lack of federal support.
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.