Category: Legal
Supreme Court rules that FTC cannot seek restitution on behalf of consumers
The U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled that the FTC lacks the authority to seek consumer refunds and other monetary relief from scammers. Without a fix from Congress, the ability of the FTC, and perhaps other agencies, to redress financial injuries caused by quacks and other frauds is greatly diminished.
COVID vaccine manufacturers should explore legal action against anti-vaxxers spreading disinformation
Perhaps it's time for vaccine manufacturers to consider defamation suits against anti-vaxxers who spread false information about COVID vaccines. Lawsuits by voting technology companies against Fox and others over false "rigged" election claims could serve as a template.
“Quack Protection Acts” proposed in state legislatures
Laws protecting "complementary and alternative" health care providers from state regulation have been proposed in several state legislatures under the rubric of "health freedom". These "Quack Protection Acts" harm consumers.
Legislative Alchemy: State licensing of “the profession of reflexology”
Following the playbook of other practitioners of pseudoscience, reflexologists aim to become state-licensed health care professionals, a status they've already achieved in four states. With bills pending in New York and Nebraska, they move closer to their goal of legitimizing their quackery in all 50 states.
Legislative Alchemy: Undaunted by rejection in 2020, naturopaths return to state legislatures seeking licensing and practice expansion
States largely rejected naturopathic licensing and practice expansion efforts in 2020. As ever, naturopaths are back again in 2021, imploring state legislators to legitimize them with licensing and greater scopes of practice, especially the authority to prescribe drugs.
Federal appeals court strikes down conversion therapy bans
A recent federal Court of Appeals decision struck down local governments' conversion therapy bans on First Amendment grounds, characterizing licensed mental health therapists' advice as a "viewpoint" and regulation thereof subject to strict scrutiny by the courts, a standard that, historically, is rarely met. This decision carries disturbing implications for the regulation of the practice of medicine as well as the government's...
“Health Freedom” group promotes legislation negating masks, other public health measures
National Health Freedom Action is promoting state legislation that would block enforcement of public health measures (e.g., mask wearing and social distancing) during epidemics and other emergencies. The organization and its allies embrace junk science and have successfully passed laws protecting quacks.
Announcement: The Society for Science-Based Medicine is becoming part of the Center for Inquiry
The Society for Science-Based Medicine is no more. Long live the Society for Science-Based Medicine as part of the Center for Inquiry.
Consumer groups urge feds to act against Mercola and his false COVID-19 claims
Consumer rights organizations urge the FDA and FTC to take action against Joseph Mercola and his businesses over their false, misleading, and dangerous claims that their products will prevent, treat or cure COVID-19.
Monsanto gets injunction against California’s mandated cancer warning for glyphosate
A federal district court permanently enjoined California from requiring a cancer warning for glyphosate on First Amendment grounds. The battle between the law and science continues.