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Organizations weigh in on CFPB plan to mandate greater language assistance from mortgage loan servicers
In comments submitted to the CFPB, organizations expressed support for the agency’s efforts to improve the availability of language assistance to mortgage borrowers seeking loss mitigation assistance, and offered suggestions for improvement and smoother implementation.

Advocates comment on CFPB’s proposals to streamline loss mitigation procedures for struggling mortgage borrowers
Consumer and housing advocates submitted comments to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau commending the agency’s efforts to make streamlined loss mitigation reviews for struggling mortgage borrowers a permanent option, while also offering suggestions.

HHS should allow for generic competition among Ozempic-like drugs to lower consumers’ drug prices
In a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Bacerra, consumer-interest organizations called on the agency to use existing legal authority to allow competition for the diabetes and weight loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy, which would lower prices for consumers.

Letter urges Department of Education to extend critical student loan borrower protections
Amid legal challenges to the Saving for A Valuable Education (SAVE) plan, advocates urged the Department of Education to ensure that servicers inform borrowers of their right to apply for SAVE and that they grant forbearance for all borrowers waiting in the pipeline—and that the forbearance time counts toward PSLF and IDR discharges. The groups also urged the Department to extend “on-ramp” protections and the “Fresh Start” program.

Advocates support legislation to enhance consumer artificial intelligence literacy
Advocates expressed support for legislation—the Consumer Literacy and Empowerment to Advance Responsible Navigation of AI (Consumers LEARN AI) Act—that would enhance consumer awareness of and confidence in the use of artificial intelligence products and services.

Advocates urge mark-up and vote on Forced Arbitration Injustice Repeal (FAIR) Act
In response to Disney’s attempt to quash a wrongful death lawsuit by invoking the forced arbitration clause in its Disney+ trial subscription, advocates urged Congress to mark up the Forced Arbitration Injustice Repeal (FAIR) Act (S 1376 and HR 2953), and to bring the legislation to a vote so that Americans can regain their fundamental right to justice through the court system.

Groups request consumer protections for energy-related home improvement loans tied to utility bills
Consumer advocates urged the CFPB and the FTC to issue guidance on TOB loans—financing extended to consumers for energy-related projects. The payments for these loans are placed on consumers’ utility bills without the protections required for installment debt. Nonpayment can result in the loss of essential utility service.

Groups support proposed CFPB rule to ban medical debt reporting
In comments to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, advocates expressed support for proposed rulemaking that would ban medical debts from credit reports, but also urged the agency to ban medical debts charged to medical and general-purpose credit cards.

Advocates support consumer protections for green lending
A letter from Americans for Financial Reform and more than 40 signers, including Consumer Action, urged government agencies to implement robust protections for consumers using green lending products, which, while providing financing for projects aimed at reducing energy costs and protecting households from climate change impacts, may expose consumers to predatory financing, unsuitable products and outright fraud.

Advocates support bill to increase protections for bank account and payment app users
Consumer Action was among supporters of federal legislation designed to protect consumers from fraud perpetrated via person-to-person payment apps and bank accounts, which resulted in reported losses totaling $10 billion in 2023.