Chapter 29 Project
Katya Guzman
Consumer Bill of Rights
A law imposed by John F. Kennedy in 1962, that provides protection for consumers. It outlines the following rights:
- The Right of Safety: protection against products that could be hazardous to life or health.
- The Right to Be Informed: protection against any fraudulent information and assurance of receiving facts necessary to make informed choices.
- The Right to Choose: access to a variety of quality products and services offered at competitive prices.
- The Right to Be Heard: assurance of representation of consumer interests in formulating government policy and of fair and prompt treatment in enforcement laws.
- The Right to Redress: assurance that buyers have ways to register their dissatisfaction and receive compensation for valid complaints.
- The Right to Consumer Education: assurance that consumers have the necessary assistance to plan and use their resources to maximum potential.
Patients' Bill of Rights
These policies were adopted by the President's Advisory Commision Protection and Quality in the Health Care Industry in 1998. Broadly, the patients have the following rights:
- Information Disclosure: Patients have the right to receive accurate, easily understood information to make informed health care decisions.
- Choice of Providers: Patients have to right to choose their own doctors and other health care providers.
- Access to Emergency Services: Patients have the right to access health care services how and where the need arises. Even if it is not the specific hospital that their health care service covers, in an emergency the costs MUST be covered.
- Treatment Decisions: Patients have the right to fully participate in all decisions related to their health care.
- Respect and Nondiscrimination: Consumers have the right to considerate, respectful care from all members of the health care system at all times.
- Confidentiality: Consumers have the right to have the confidentiality of their individual identifiable health care information protected. Consumers have the right to review and copy their own records and to amend those records.
Consumer Protection Laws
Consumer Protection Laws
Since the 1930's, Congress has passed many laws to protect consumers from unsafe products and unfair or deceptive business practices. These laws help ensure that consumers get quality goods and services for their hard-earned dollars.
Nutrition Labeling and Education Act
Requires detailed information on labels and standardization of descriptive terms, such as "low-fat".
Family and Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
FERPA is a federal law that protects the privacy of school records. Parents and students over 18 have the right to inspect and review schools' education records.
Food, Drug ,and Cosmetic Act
Requires that food be safe, pure, and wholesome; that drugs and medical devices be safe and effective; and that cosmetics be safe.
Federal Agencies
Many federal government agencies provide information of interest to consumers. Some of these agencies handle consumer complaints, and others direct complaints to agencies or sources that address consumer issues. Many agencies can be easily located through the Internet.
FDA (Food and Drug Administration)
The FDA enforces laws and regulations preventing the distribution of mislabeled foods, drugs, cosmetics, and medical devices.
FCC (Federal Communications Commision)
The FCC regulates interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable.
CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission)
The CPSC protects consumers from unreasonable risk of injury or death from potentially hazardous consumer products.