RetireSafe to Congress: Keep Our Seniors Truckin’

Consumer Advocates Urge Congress to Support H.R. 5638

WASHINGTON - RetireSafe joined consumer advocates this week in support of H.R. 5638, legislation introduced by Rep. Zoe Lofgren to guarantee seniors—and every American motorist—continued access to high-quality, low-cost collision replacement parts for their vehicles. H.R. 5638 would amend Title 35, U.S. Code (Patents) to provide a design patent exemption for alternative repair parts used for the purpose of repairing a vehicle to its original appearance. This critical consumer bill will put a stop to a menacing car company monopoly on common repair parts, and give America’s seniors the green light on choice.

Alternative parts currently save consumers up to $1.2 billion a year, alleviating the strain put on Americans by higher-priced parts manufactured by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). However, decreased competition among the manufacturers of automobile replacement parts drives consumers to the dealership time and time again, allowing car companies to take advantage of pricing—and consumers. Without H.R. 5638, skyrocketing parts prices will continue to inflate insurance premiums.

“The resulting increase in insurance costs alone might well put an end to the crucial freedom that millions of our nation’s seniors enjoy from owning and operating their own motor vehicles,” said Michelle Plasari, president of RetireSafe. “On behalf of RetireSafe’s nearly 400,000 senior supporters across America, I strongly urge members of Congress to cosponsor H.R. 5638.”

Without a permanent legislative change, all American consumers will face sharply escalating car repair costs and spiking car insurance premiums brought on by a monopoly along with the recent climb in gas and food prices. H.R. 5638 will protect millions of consumers, especially fixed-income senior citizens who simply cannot afford a car company monopoly on common repair parts, by preserving competition in the automotive aftermarket industry.

“From bumpers to hoods and from lights to grilles, the common aftermarket repair parts currently available to our seniors are, while equal in quality, far less costly than the original equipment parts from the car companies,” continued Plasari. “Europe has already acted on this issue, and we think our consumers deserve to choose as well. H.R. 5638 will protect their right to do so.”

To learn more about RetireSafe, visit www.retiresafe.org.

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About RetireSafe
RetireSafe is a grassroots advocacy organization promoting dynamic solutions to America's retirement security challenges and dedicated to preserving and enhancing the options, benefits, and lives of older Americans.