Current Events in March 2022

In a new study of consumer finances, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) found that medical debt is harming consumers' credit scores and adding significant amounts of money to their personal debt. 

The agency suggests that some 43 million Americans have medical debt on their credit reports, and that debt totals around $88 billion nationwide.

Medical-related debt isn’t something the average person plans for because it often comes about as a result of unexpected and emergency events. But when it does, it can hit hard and put Americans in a doom loop between their medical provider and their insurance company.

The CFPB says consumers often have to deal with aggressive debt collection and coercive credit reporting that forces them to pay medical bills they may not even owe. Once medical debt shows up on a credit report, the repercussions can be far-ranging and felt across all races and ethnicities, but most acutely by minority and low-income communities.

“These practices can impose serious costs on people’s financial, physical, and emotional health. Having a medical debt collection tradeline on a person’s credit record can make it harder to get credit, rent or buy a home, or find a job,” the CFPB stated in its report. 

“Some people are pushed into bankruptcy by medical bills that they cannot pay. Some avoid seeking health care out of fear of medical debt. And some find that the stress of having medical debt—and being contacted by medical debt collectors – worsens their mental health, contributing to conditions like anxiety, depression, and even suicide.”

What the CFPB is doing about the situation

Armed with data from the new study and efforts from states to protect patients from staggering medical bills, the CFPB has decided it needs to step up its efforts to ensure consumer credit reporting is not used overbearingly to force patients and their families to to pay debatable medical bills. Specifically, the agency intends to address the following factors:

Reasonable practices: The agency wants to ensure that credit reporting companies have reasonable procedures in place to keep medical debt information accurate. It plans to take action against furnishers who report inaccurate information.

No surprises: The CFPB says it will support the work of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to ensure that patients are not coerced into paying bills in excess of the amounts due. That's especially true in situations where the billed amount violates the No Surprises Act. That act protects consumers who are covered under group and individual health plans from receiving surprise medical bills from most emergency services and non-emergency services from out-of-network providers at in-network facilities.

Tell consumers what financial assistance is available: Regulators will investigate how best to facilitate patients’ access to financial assistance programs offered by medical providers, including at the point of collection and credit reporting.

Continue researching the situation: The CFPB says its latest study is just a start and that it will conduct additional research on medical billing collection practices and their impact on patients and families.

Look for ways to end the current problem: Finally, the agency said it will determine whether policies should be implemented to eliminate unpaid medical billing data on credit reports altogether.

Extra expert advice

ConsumerAffairs reached out to Stephanie Genkin, a medical debt expert, to get her take on the CFPB’s report. She assures consumers that medical debt is given less weight on credit reports than other kinds of delinquencies. However, she said there are three things people can do when facing medical cost issues:

• Don't argue with the debt collector. Ask for written confirmation of the debt so you can dispute it if it is inaccurate.

• Negotiate a reduced payment. Debt collection agencies buy medical debt for pennies on the dollar, so consumers can often try to work with collectors to reduce the burden of their debt.

• Try a "pay to delete" strategy. Genkin says consumers can get written confirmation that a collector will notify all three credit reporting agencies to delete the reporting of their debt once it is paid off.

Inflation surged last month, rising 0.8% from January as consumers paid significantly more for gasoline, food, and rent. On a year-over-year basis, the Labor Department’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 7.9%, the highest change to the inflation rate since January 1982.

The cost of gasoline rose 6.6% in February and accounted for almost a third of the monthly increase. For the last 12 months, gas prices are up 38%.

The food index rose 1%, and the food at home index rose 1.4%. Both were the largest monthly increases since April 2020. The cost of shelter rose 0.5% from January to February, rising 4.7% over the last 12 months.

Car prices improve while other costs go up

Economist Joel Naroff of Naroff Economics notes that rising prices were also present in most other areas of the economy, even though there was a glimmer of good news.

“The massive surge in used vehicles may finally be ending, as prices inched downward,” he told ConsumerAffairs. “However, there are no signs that vehicle costs will be falling much in the next few months.”

Meanwhile, the Labor Department reports real average hourly earnings for all employees decreased 0.8% from January to February, which is not a good situation when consumer prices are going up.

“Household costs are surging significantly faster than wages, so inflation-adjusted earnings dropped sharply in February,” Naroff said.  “Over the year, consumer spending power is down a huge 2.6%.”

What consumers are doing to adjust

Consumers have been taking steps to cut their spending in the face of rising prices, and those steps take various forms. Charles, of Fargo, N.D., told us he signed a service contract with Car Shield.

“Since I and my wife are retired, we can't afford to trade vehicles due to the current inflation rates for both new and used vehicles,” Charles wrote in a ConsumerAffairs review. 

Thomas, of Clarksville, Ind., tells us he has taken steps to protect his retirement savings by working with Noble Gold.

“Noble Gold's representative…helped me to handle the transfer of a portion of my IRA to gold,” Thomas wrote in his review. “A wise precaution in the inflationary environment ahead.”

Even when food and energy are removed from the equation, the February CPI was 0.5% higher. The Labor Department reports that the shelter index was by far the biggest factor in the increase, as rents continued to rise during the month. 

With the price of new and used vehicles at all-time highs, it pays to choose a car or truck that will last for years beyond the end of monthly payments. A study by iSeeCars.com found that certain brands and certain types of vehicles last longer than the competition.

Toyota earns the top spot among automotive brands, with 2.3% of its vehicles reaching 200,000 miles. That's almost double the average for all vehicles. In second place is Honda, with 1.9% of its fleet reaching the 200,000 milestone.

If the average motorist drives 15,000 miles a year, then it would take around 13 years to put 200,000 miles on a car or truck.

“Toyotas have a reputation for lasting a long time, so if you’ve already got a Toyota you’re in good shape,” Karl Brauer, executive analyst at iSeeCars.com told ConsumerAffairs. “If you’re looking to buy a car and want it to last as long as possible, Toyota is a good option.”

SUVs also go the distance

Among types of vehicles, full-size SUVs have the best chance of delivering at least 200,000 miles. If it happens to be a Toyota SUV, the odds are even better.

The Toyota Land Cruiser has the best chance of getting past 200,000 miles, according to the study, which found that 18% of Land Cruisers have reached that mark. The Toyota Sequoia is in second place. 

These truck-based, body-on-frame SUVs occupy the top spots by a wide margin, with the Sequoia being twice as likely to reach 200,000 miles as the next ranked car on the list. 

“The body on frame construction of something like a Land Cruiser or Chevy Suburban generally makes it a very durable design,” Brauer said. “Also, you get the functionality of a truck with the practicality of a three-row SUV.”

In fact, Toyota places five additional models – seven in all – within the top 15. The study shows that at least 3.2% of all 4Runner, Tundra, Avalon, Prius, and Sienna vehicles make it to 200,000 miles or further. Among the auto industry as a whole, the average is only 1.2%.

Strong showing from U.S. manufacturers

Five American, full-size SUVs make the list, including the third-ranked Chevrolet Suburban, the fourth-ranked GMC Yukon XL, the sixth-ranked Ford Expedition, the seventh-ranked Chevrolet Tahoe, and the twelfth-ranked GMC Yukon. 

What these vehicles have in common is that they are all manufactured by General Motors. Brauer says the Chevrolet Suburban, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, and Chevrolet Tahoe share a platform and many common parts, which helps explain their durability.

Toyota also leads in pickup trucks making it past 200,000 miles. The Tundra is in first place and the Tacoma is in third, with the Honda Ridgeline sandwiched in between in second place. The Ford F-150, America’s best-selling vehicle, ranks 5th.

COVID-19 ‌tally‌ ‌as‌ ‌‌compiled‌‌ ‌by‌ ‌Johns‌ ‌Hopkins‌ ‌University.‌ ‌(Previous‌ ‌numbers‌ ‌in‌ ‌parentheses.)‌

Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌confirmed‌ ‌cases:‌ 79,413,957 (79,370,034)

Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌deaths:‌ 963,869 (961,993)

Total‌ ‌global‌ ‌cases:‌ 452,078,663 (450,174,901)

Total ‌global‌ ‌deaths:‌ 6,024,869 (6,017,018)‌

CDC issues travel advisory for three countries

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued travel advisories for three international destinations. The agency says Americans should avoid traveling to New Zealand, Hong Kong, and Thailand because of very high levels of COVID-19.

The CDC said it has placed all three places in the “Level 4” category, which signifies a very high rate of community transmission. Until recently, the three nations had fallen into the “Level 3” category, with high levels of spread.

Interestingly, New Zealand and Hong Kong were able to keep the virus under control for most of the pandemic with very strict restrictions. They are now seeing cases surge while much of the rest of the world is recovering.

Subvariant keeping U.S. case numbers elevated

Masks are coming off and crowds are gathering for public events in just about every part of the U.S. But some health officials worry that the subvariant of the Omicron variant – known as BA.2 – will continue to cause infections.

The CDC reports that infections caused by BA.2 have nearly doubled since early February and now account for 11.6% of overall virus cases as of March 5.

Some health experts say BA.2 is probably about 30% more infectious than the original Omicron variant. But on the positive side, currently available data suggests that it's less virulent.

Novak Djokovic denied entry to U.S.

Professional tennis star Novak Djokovic, who had to withdraw from the Australian Open because he is not vaccinated against COVID-19, won’t be playing in the U.S. either. He withdrew from the BNP Paribas Open Wednesday, saying he is not being allowed to travel to the U.S.

For some time, the U.S. has required foreign travelers to be vaccinated in order to enter the country. The rule will also keep Djokovic out of the Miami Open later this month. Both are major tennis events.

Djokovic announced his fate in a tweet on Wednesday. "The CDC has confirmed that regulations won't be changing so I won't be able to play in the US," he wrote.

Around the nation

• Wisconsin: Many states have gone from shortages of COVID-19 vaccine doses to an over-supply. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services reports that more than 393,810 doses have gone unused since the start of vaccine distribution in December 2020. It says 1,000 doses were wasted in February alone.

• Mississippi: State lawmakers approved a bill on Wednesday that effectively quashes a vaccination mandate. The measure declares that a state resident could cite “a sincerely held religious objection” to avoid a public or private employer's COVID-19 vaccination mandate.

• Connecticut: Gov. Ned Lamont’s latest COVID-19 update shows that the virus is in retreat across the state. The positivity rate dropped to 2.07% Wednesday, with just 11 state residents entering the hospital. Of the 162 patients currently hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19, 43.2% are not fully vaccinated.

• Texas: An East Texas business is filling the gap for patients who need to receive monoclonal antibodies but can’t find a facility to administer them. IV Solution TX is a mobile IV therapy business that services all of Southeast Texas.

• Nebraska: State health officials report that Nebraska hospitals are nearly back to normal when it comes to caseloads, and they credit the sharp drop in COVID-19 cases. There were 191 COVID-19 patients in the state's hospitals at the start of the week, a 70% decline in the last 30 days.

Several recent reports have highlighted the health risks associated with indoor air pollution. Now, researchers from the University of Birmingham explored ways to mitigate some of those risks. 

According to their findings, houseplants may be beneficial at improving indoor air quality by reducing indoor air pollution levels. 

“The plants we chose were all very different from each other, yet they all showed strikingly similar abilities to remove NO2 from the atmosphere,” said researcher Dr. Christian Pfrang. “This is very different from the way indoor plants take up CO2 in our earlier work, which is strongly dependent on environmental factors such as night time or daytime, or soil water content.” 

Boosting indoor air quality

The researchers put three common houseplants to the test for their experiment – a corn plant, a peace lily, and a fern arum. The plants were separated and exposed to levels of pollution similar to what would be emitted into an office building located near a highway. The team compared the plants’ activity over time and also estimated how plants could impact different-sized spaces with poorer ventilation.

Ultimately, the plants were successful at improving the air quality; all three were able to cut the pollution levels in half within one hour. The researchers explained that this was true regardless of any potential influences, including time of day and the consistency of the soil. 

When looking at different sized spaces, the researchers observed similar effects; the biggest difference was in the number of plants that would be necessary to improve the air quality. They found that in a smaller, less-ventilated space, five houseplants lowered pollution levels by 20%. In a bigger space, that same number of plants produced 3.5% lower pollution levels. However, the team believes more plants in the larger space would reduce pollution even further.

A new study conducted by researchers from the University of Georgia explored how exercise can help keep consumers’ brains sharp into older age. According to the findings, regular physical activity may help older consumers retain their cognitive abilities in later life. 

“This finding isn’t saying, ‘If you’re older, you need to go out there and start running marathons,’” said researcher Marissa Gogniat. “This is saying if you get more steps, if you’re moving around your environment a little bit more, that can be helpful to your brain health and keep you more independent as you age.” 

Exercise changes the brain

The researchers had 51 older adults participate in the study. The group participated in a six-minute walking test to assess their fitness. They wore monitors that tracked their physical activity, including how many steps they took each day. The participants also underwent MRIs and completed cognitive assessments to evaluate their abilities. 

The researchers identified a clear link between physical activity and cognitive abilities. They learned that those who were the most active had the strongest executive functioning skills. This translates to better memory, attention, flexible thinking, and self-control, among other important skills. 

“We’ve always been told it’s good to exercise, but I think this is some evidence that exercise can actually change your brain,” said Gogniat. “And that impacts the way you’re able to function in your daily life.” 

Age also changes the brain

The researchers explained that different networks in the brain are responsible for resting versus physical activity, though both aren’t activated at the same time. However, as the body ages, it becomes more difficult for these networks to carry out tasks like remembering phone numbers or birthdays. The study findings are important because they show that regular physical activity may prevent this natural decline in cognitive abilities. 

“This paper is exciting because it gives us some evidence that when people whose brain networks aren’t functioning optimally engage in physical activity, we see improvement in their executive function and their independence,” Gogniat said. “We’re not saying you need to radically change your life. 

“Maybe just take the stairs on the way to work. Stand up and walk around a little bit more. That’s where you get the most bang for your buck, not crazy, high-intensity exercise.” 

Volkswagen Group of America is recalling 3,648 model year 2018-2021 Atlas and model year 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles with accessory side steps.

The reduced Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) label, reflecting the additional weight of the side steps, was not installed.

Without the reduced GVWR label, the vehicle could be overloaded, leading to a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Dealers will install the reduced GVWR label free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on April 15, 2022.

Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at (800) 893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 09D9.

BRP U.S. of Sturtevant, Wis., is recalling about 11,000 Ski-Doo snowmobiles sold in the U.S. and Canada.

Fuel can leak from the fuel tank vent onto hot components when the snowmobiles are on a tilt or flipped over, posing a fire hazard.

The company has received five reports of fires related to fuel leaking. No injuries have been reported.

This recall involves Ski-Doo 2020, 2021, and 2022 Expedition LE, SE, and SWT snowmobiles with a 900 ACE turbo engine sold in a variety of colors.

Ski-Doo and the model name are printed on the side panels of the vehicles. The vehicle identification number (VIN) is on the decal located on the right-hand side of tunnel underneath the seat. A list of the recalled models may be found here.

The snowmobiles, manufactured in Canada, were sold at Ski-Doo dealers nationwide from June 2019, through January 2022, for between $17,000 and $19,000.

What to do

Consumers should stop using the recalled snowmobiles immediately and contact a Ski-Doo dealer for a free repair.

BRP is contacting all known purchasers directly to coordinate the free repair so dealers can change the routing and the exit location of the fuel tank vent. A protective plate will also be installed.

Consumers may contact BRP toll-free at (888) 272-9222 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (ET) Monday through Sunday or online for more information.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 327 model year 2021-2022 Mustangs.

An insufficient weld on the front passenger knee airbag may result in an improper airbag deployment.

An improper airbag deployment can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

What to do

Dealers will replace the front passenger knee airbag free of charge.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S07.

With spring break about to kick in across the U.S. and airfare discounts still to be had, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) says it’s geared up for a spike in travel volume that will surpass 90% of pre-pandemic levels until the end of the month.

“TSA’s collaboration with industry and federal partners has been instrumental throughout this pandemic, and now we are seeing a light at the end of the tunnel as demonstrated by the rapid recovery of the travel industry,” said TSA Administrator David Pekoske. 

Pekoske said travelers who haven’t ventured out on an airplane lately might be in for a pleasant surprise.

“We are doing our part to ensure the traveling public is safe and secure by continuing to deploy new technologies within the checkpoint that enhance security, reduce physical contact and improve the traveling experience,” he said.

Pekoske also asks travelers to do their part by being respectful of other travelers and airline workers. Those who don't risk being arrested for unruly behavior. 

TSA’s tips for travel in 2022

The TSA laid out a set of 10 tips that should help give travelers a hassle-free spring break trip:

Tip 1: Continue to wear a face mask. The travel mask requirement remains in place, and the TSA will continue to assess the duration of the requirement in consultation with the CDC.

Tip 2: Follow the rule that limits liquids. Gels and aerosols are limited to 3.4 ounces or less in carry-on baggage. There is an exception for hand sanitizer, which has a temporary 12-ounce limit. The general definition for this rule is that if you can spill it, spread it, spray it, pump it, or pour it, then the carry-on quantity is limited.

Tip 3: Pack food in a clear plastic bag. If you plan to travel with food, make sure you pack your items in a clear plastic bag and put it in your carry-on bag. When you get to the security checkpoint, remove and place the clear bag containing your food into the bin to reduce the opportunity for cross-contamination between the food and bins.

Tip 4: Leave prohibited items at home. To reduce the likelihood of physical contact with TSA officers at the checkpoint, be familiar with the TSA prohibited items list for carry-on bags. Travelers can check for prohibited items by using the “What Can I Bring?” page on TSA.gov and by downloading the free MyTSA app, which has a helpful “What Can I Bring?” feature.

Tip 5: Do not bring your firearm to a security checkpoint. Airline passengers can fly with firearms only in checked baggage. All firearms must be properly packed and declared with your airline at check-in. Consumers can contact their airline for additional guidance.

Tip 6: Give yourself plenty of time. Travel volumes are expected to be higher than they have been, and some passengers may be traveling for the first time in quite a while. Extra time may be needed for parking, rental car and airline check-in counters, and at the checkpoint.

Tip 7: Empty your pockets when you get to the checkpoint. Place items you would keep on your person inside your carry-on bag instead of in a bin to reduce touchpoints and to ensure that you don't leave anything behind.

Tip 8: Listen for guidance from TSA officers. They may be providing information on new technologies that help reduce touchpoints and make for a more streamlined and convenient passenger experience.

Tip 9: Contact TSA with your questions. Tweet your questions and comments to @AskTSA or via Facebook Messenger, weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (EST). You can also call the TSA Contact Center at 866-289-9673 from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. (EST) or 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends and holidays.

Tip 10: Enroll now in TSA PreCheck. Enrolling in TSA PreCheck allows travelers to avoid removing shoes, belts, liquids, laptops, and light jackets. Most new enrollees receive a Known Traveler Number within five days, and membership lasts for five years. 

Going somewhere outside the U.S.?

The TSA’s list is great for travelers staying inside the U.S., but anyone traveling abroad needs to do some extra homework, says Scott Keyes of Scott’s Cheap Flights.

“Many countries have begun to lift their Covid entry restrictions; in fact, in many parts of the world, life is almost back to normal,” Keyes said. However, he reminds international travelers that they should also check on restrictions, vaccination rates, and hospital resources in the place they’re visiting.

Travel consultant Wendy Perrin spoke to the ever-changing vaccination situation, telling ConsumerAffairs that Belize, Ecuador, the Maldives, Israel, and Italy have recently changed their vaccination requirements. To help ConsumerAffairs wanderlusters, Perrin offered a list of all the countries with no vaccination restrictions.

COVID-19 ‌tally‌ ‌as‌ ‌‌compiled‌‌ ‌by‌ ‌Johns‌ ‌Hopkins‌ ‌University.‌ ‌(Previous‌ ‌numbers‌ ‌in‌ ‌parentheses.)‌

Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌confirmed‌ ‌cases:‌ 79,381,454 (79,341,565)

Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌deaths:‌ 962,381 (960,402)

Total‌ ‌global‌ ‌cases:‌ 450,498,812 (448,229,284)

Total ‌global‌ ‌deaths:‌ 6,018,519 (6,009,446)‌

Pfizer tests COVID-19 pill on children

Drugmaker Pfizer has announced the start of tests for its COVID-19 treatment pill Paxlovid on children under age 18. The clinical trial will seek to determine whether the five-day treatment can keep children infected with the virus out of the hospital.

If the trial yields positive results, the company will seek FDA approval for the antiviral to be prescribed for children under 12. Dr. Annaliesa Anderson, who leads Pfizer’s Paxlovid research, says it could be especially important for children with underlying health conditions that prevent vaccination.

“When it comes to COVID-19, they’re not exempt from the severe outcomes, and they do need treatment to prevent severe disease, particularly if they have risk factors that would lead to that,” Anderson told the Wall Street Journal.

WHO now favors boosters

The World Health Organization (WHO) has updated its vaccine guidance and now recommends COVID-19 booster shots. Previously, the organization had discouraged an additional dose of the vaccine.

The WHO issued a statement Tuesday saying its Technical Advisory Group on COVID-19 Vaccine Composition "strongly supports urgent and broad access to current COVID-19 vaccines for primary series and booster doses, particularly for groups at risk of developing severe disease."

The reason for the change might be the declining demand for COVID-19 vaccines. Previously, the WHO had taken the position that people in wealthier countries shouldn’t get a booster until more people in poorer countries were vaccinated.

Man sentenced in fake vaccine case

A Redmond, Washington man who claimed to be a biotech expert was sentenced this week in federal court on charges of introducing misbranded drugs into interstate commerce. The man was sentenced to five years probation and fined $246,986.  

Prosecutors said Johnny Stine posted a number of ads online in which he claimed to have developed a COVID-19 vaccine long before Pfizer introduced the first approved vaccine. The ads offered injections for prices ranging from $400 to $1,000. Prosecutors said he also sold other bogus drugs.

“This wasn’t just a COVID-related scheme. From 2018-2020, Mr. Stine made more than $200,000 selling cancer patients his ‘vaccines’ that he said would cure their disease,” said U.S. Attorney Nick Brown. “He truly preyed on those who were desperate for any glimmer of hope, injecting people with unapproved substances developed in his rented garage, with no assurance of safety or purity.”

Around the nation

• Maine: State health authorities have finally cleared a backlog of unprocessed COVID-19 tests that had made the case count appear artificially high. The state reported two additional COVID-19 deaths Tuesday and added 565 cases in the state’s first update in three days.

• Tennessee: Parents polled by the Vanderbilt Center for Child Health Policy showed declining trust in the information they receive about vaccines for children. "Pediatricians have been worried that misinformation about COVID-19 vaccination would erode parental confidence in all childhood vaccines,” said Dr. Stephen Patrick, director of the Vanderbilt Center for Child Health Policy. “It is deeply concerning that in just one year, there has been a 10% drop in the number of Tennessee parents who say they trust information they receive about vaccines.”

• South Carolina: State health officials say the COVID-19 numbers are trending in the right direction. On Tuesday, about 2% of COVID-19 tests were reported positive. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has set 5% positivity and below as the level of low community spread.

• Oregon: The statewide mask mandate is set to expire on Friday, but some businesses, such as restaurants, are planning to retain some protective measures implemented during the pandemic. “We do have some glass partitions in some of our booths over in the bar that will stay up,” restaurant operator Jessica Blaine told KVAL-TV.

• Arkansas: Public schools in the state that had mask mandates reportedly had fewer cases of the coronavirus. A CDC analysis of coronavirus transmission in Arkansas schools shows that mask requirements are "an important part of a multicomponent approach" to preventing the virus's spread. 

The Senate has signed off on a sweeping retooling of the United States Postal Service (USPS). On Tuesday, 79 across-the-aisle yeas approved the $107 billion Postal Service Reform Act of 2022 – providing the cash necessary for the agency to modernize its service and make it more efficient for Americans.

The USPS could certainly use the money. From 2007 to 2020, it recorded losses of more than $80 billion and produced over $188 billion in unfunded liabilities and debt. From October 2021, to December 2021, it lost $1.3 billion.

President Joe Biden had indicated earlier that he would sign the legislation once it gets to his desk. The House has already approved the bill.

The bipartisanship support that the bill received reflects the agency's importance to the public. For years, Republicans and Democrats have squabbled over upgrading the USPS. Republicans postured the agency as being incompetent and said supporting it was just throwing good money away.

When the COVID-19 pandemic took over, the agency experienced some hiccups, like forcing the Veterans Administration (VA) to find alternative ways to deliver medications. However, Democrats like Virginia's Jerry Connolly remained on postal workers' side, lauding mail workers as everyday heroes and nothing that Americans support the Postal Service.

“After more than a decade of hard work and negotiations, the Postal Service Reform Act is finally on its way to the president's desk," Connolly commented on the Senate's passage. "This will save the Post Office from financial ruin, and ensure our mail is delivered for decades to come."

The postal union calls the legislation “critical” for consumers

The American Postal Workers Union (APWU) praised the legislation. On top of maximizing its members' participation in Medicare, the group said the legislation will also ensure that Americans can count on deliveries six days per week.

The group said it will also ensure that letter mail, flats, and packages remain combined into one postal network while helping meet the demand of package growth. It also gives the agency the approval to contract with local, state, and indigenous governments to offer non-mail services like fishing and hunting licenses.

“It is not an exaggeration to say that this bill is one of the most critical pieces of postal legislation in modern history — the struggle to win Postal Reform has been 15 years in the making,” said the American Postal Workers Union’s (APWU) Legislative and Political Director, Judy Beard.

With surging oil prices and a war raging in Ukraine, the price of gold shot up this week, reaching its highest level in 19 months.

Tuesday’s price for the precious metal hit $2,069, just shy of the record high set in August 2020. Gold has lost a lot of its luster since that time, with more money moving into cryptocurrencies and away from the traditional inflation hedge.

The current rebound in gold prices may cause some people with gold jewelry or gold coins to consider selling. Fergus Hodgson, director at Econ Americas and deputy editor of the Gold Newsletter, says predicting where gold prices go from here is extremely difficult.

“There are many unknowns, particularly geopolitical developments,” Hodgson told ConsumerAffairs. “Given what we saw in 2020, though, there is substantial room for upward movement. This is not a bad time to sell gold, but prices could still rise plenty.”

At the moment, gold faces competing catalysts. On one hand, times of uncertainty caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine tend to make gold an attractive safe haven.

However, the current state of the economy is necessitating a rise in interest rates. Not only are policymakers raising rates, but bond yields are also moving higher. Market analysts say rising rates sometimes make gold less attractive.

What to do before selling

With prices at current levels, gold dealers – including retail jewelry stores – may step up their marketing efforts. When prices rise, signs declaring “we buy gold” often appear in store windows. Hodgson says consumers deciding to cash in their gold need to do their homework and not take the first offer.

“Gold that is not in recognizable coin form is more difficult to value and subject to more variation in price offers,” he said. “Fortunately, one can find different local dealers and ask for offers, thus enabling comparisons. If you want to work with a more recognized dealer, subject to private arbitration, you can look for a member of the Professional Numismatists Guild.”

Whether consumers decide to sell their gold now may depend on where they think prices go from here. Market analysts appear divided on that point. 

Some believe prices can move well past the 2020 record, while others think the price hinges on what happens in Ukraine. Margaret Yang, a strategist at DailyFX, told CNBC that she believes gold will fall back to pre-crisis levels once the geopolitical dust settles.

A new study conducted by researchers from the University of Copenhagen explored how following a Nordic diet may be beneficial for consumers’ health. 

The team explained that following this diet plan was linked with improvements to cholesterol and blood sugar levels. While consumers may be more likely to lose weight while following the Nordic diet, the researchers say the health benefits aren't solely tied to that outcome.

“It’s surprising because most people believe that positive effects on blood sugar and cholesterol are solely due to weight loss,” said researcher Lars Ove Dragsted. “Here, we have found this not to be the case. Other mechanisms are also at play.” 

Improving health with diet choices

The researchers had 200 participants over the age of 50 with high BMIs involved in the study. Over the course of six months, the participants were divided into two groups: one group ate as they normally would while the second group ate foods consistent with a Nordic diet. This diet focuses primarily on plant-based options, foods that are local to Nordic countries, and complex carbs.

The researchers then analyzed blood and urine samples from the participants to better understand how the diets affected their health outcomes. At the end of the study, the link between the Nordic diet and long-term health benefits was clear. Following this eating plan led to significant health improvements in key areas for the participants. 

“The group that had been on the Nordic diet for six months became significantly healthier, with lower cholesterol levels, lower overall levels of both saturated and unsaturated fat in the blood, and better regulation of glucose, compared to the control group,” said Dragsted. “We kept the group on the Nordic diet weight stable, meaning that we asked them to eat more if they lost weight. Even without weight loss, we could see an improvement in their health.” 

The researchers believe the Nordic diet was so beneficial to the participants’ health because of its fat composition. They explained that participants who followed the diet were eating fewer processed foods and getting their dietary fats from flaxseeds, fish, sunflower oil, and canola oil. 

“By analyzing the blood of participants, we could see that those who benefited most from the dietary change had different fat-soluble substances than the control group,” Dragsted said. “These are substances that appear to be linked to unsaturated fatty acids from oils in the Nordic diet. This is a sign that Nordic dietary fats probably play the most significant role for the health effects seen here, which I hadn’t expected. 

“We can only speculate as to why a change in fat composition benefits our health so greatly.” However, we can confirm that the absence of highly processed food and less saturated fat from animals have a very positive effect on us. So, the fat composition in the Nordic diet, which is higher in omega-3 and omega-6 unsaturated fats, is probably a considerable part of the explanation for the health effects we found from the Nordic diet, even when the weight of participants remains constant.”

A new study conducted by researchers from Duke University explored the ramifications of long-term exposure to lead. Their findings showed that lead exposure over the course of the last century may have been detrimental to consumers’ IQ scores. 

According to their report, exposure to car exhaust from leaded gas may be responsible for the loss of nearly 825 million IQ points for more than 170 million Americans. 

“I frankly was shocked,” said researcher Michael MacFarland. “And when I look at the numbers, I’m still shocked even though I’m prepared for it.” 

Risks to long-term brain health

To better understand how exposure to lead may affect consumers’ cognitive function, the researchers analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, the Human Mortality Database, the U.S. Census, and the United Nations. The team tracked how exposure to leaded gasoline impacted the IQ of all Americans who were alive in 2015. 

The researchers explained that trends related to leaded gas versus unleaded gas greatly influenced these results. Though leaded gas was banned in the U.S. in 1996 because of health concerns, it was the primary form of gasoline throughout the 1970s. Because of this, the study showed that those who grew up between the 1960s and 1970s were the most affected by this type of lead exposure. 

This study showed that consumers born in that timespan had high levels of lead in their blood as children. The researchers believe this is likely the reason for the drop in IQ points. This lead exposure is also concerning from a health perspective, as it is likely responsible for higher risks of cardiovascular disease, mental health concerns, and reduced brain size. 

“Lead is able to reach the bloodstream once it’s inhaled as dust, or ingested, or consumed in water,” said researcher Aaron Reuben. “In the bloodstream, it’s able to pass into the brain through the brain-blood barrier, which is quite good at keeping a lot of toxicants and pathogens out of the brain, but not all of them.” 

Loss of up to 7 IQ points

Overall, the researchers learned that consumers born in the mid-to-late 1960s saw their IQs drop by an average of three points per person. In total, there were nearly 825 million lost IQ points. The team estimated that those with the highest levels of lead in their blood may have lost up to seven IQ points.

While these findings are certainly a cause for concern, the researchers want to do more work in this area to better understand the long-term risks of lead exposure during childhood. 

“Millions of us are walking around with a history of lead exposure,” Reuben said. “It’s not like you got into a car accident and had a rotator cuff tear that heals and then you’re fine. It appears to be an insult carried in the body in different ways that we’re still trying to understand but that can have implications for life.” 

Audi is recalling 920 model year 2022 E-Tron GTs.

The owner's manual may list the incorrect tire pressure.

Incorrect tire pressure information could result in improperly inflated tires, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Dealers will insert a corrected tire pressure table into the owner's manual free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on April 15, 2022.

Owners may contact Audi customer service at (800) 853-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 06E7.

ALDI of Batavia, Ill, is recalling about 13 Bee Happy 12 Days of Craft Advent Calendars.

Surface paint on the brown bell found in “Day 10” of the advent calendar contains levels of lead that exceed the federal lead paint ban, posing a risk of lead poisoning. Excessive levels of lead can be toxic or cause other health problems to young children if the paint is ingested. No incidents or illnesses are reported.

This recall involves the ALDI, Inc. Bee Happy 12 Days of Craft Advent Calendar that contains 12 separate crafting activities separated by days. The crafts include ornaments, stickers, slime, and other projects. The front of the box is illustrated as a house with multiple windows in a holiday setup.

The recalled bell is found in “Day 10” of the advent calendar as part of the Reindeer Bell Necklace craft.

The calendars, manufactured in China, were sold at one ALDI store in California (24270 El Toro Rd, Laguna Woods) and one ALDI store in Alabama (7676 Highway 72, West Madison) in November 2021, for about $13.

What to do

Consumers should immediately take the recalled advent calendars away from children and contact ALDI for a full refund.

Consumers may contact ALDI toll-free at (833) 460-2092 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (ET) Monday through Friday or online at www.aldi.us. Consumers can click on “product recalls” at the bottom of the company's webpage for more information.

BMW of North America is recalling 917,106 of the following vehicles:

• Model year 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i);
• Model year 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); Model year 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i);
• Model year 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i);
• Model year 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi);
• Model year 2006-2012 3 Series Wagon (328i, 328i xDrive);
• Model year 2007-2013 3 Series Convertible (328i);
• Model year 2006-2010 5 Series Sedan (525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi);
• Model year 2006-2007 5 Series Wagon (530xi);
• Model year 2007-2010 X5 SAV (X5 3.0si, X5 xDrive30i);
• Model year 2006-2008 Z4 Coupe (Z4 3.0si); and
• Model year2006-2011 Z4 Roadster (Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si, Z4 sDrive30i).

The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.

An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.

What to do

Vehicles previously repaired under prior recalls, including one issued in Spring 2019, will need to come back for the new recall remedy, which is currently being developed.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on April 25, 2022.

Owners may contact BMW customer service at (800) 525-7417.