RetireSafe Cites New Study, Urges U.S. House Judiciary Committee to Take Action Now to Pass H.R. 3059, the Access to Repair Parts Act

WASHINGTON, March 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today RetireSafe, representing 400,000 senior citizen supporters across America, called on the United States House Judiciary Committee to take swift action to pass H.R. 3059, the "Access to Repair Parts Act"  sponsored by Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) and several of her House colleagues. "This important legislation would provide great benefit to older Americans," said RetireSafe President Thair Phillips. "We urge the House Judiciary Committee to take swift action to move H.R. 3059 towards passage," Phillips added.

Phillips cited a new Senior Center for Health and Security study (Warning! Consumers at Risk! Will America's Seniors Lose the Right to Repair Their Cars and Buy Affordable Repair Parts) in noting the critical nature of the legislation for seniors. The study (available through a link at www.RetireSafe.org) cites the monetary damage a growing collision repair parts monopoly could inflict on older drivers, drivers dependent on their cars to maintain their independence. While all consumers would suffer such a monopoly, seniors would be hit the hardest.

Phillips noted the study included this excerpt regarding common collision repair parts;

"Today the automakers control about 72 percent of the market for replacement parts, with aftermarket companies getting some 11 percent and recycled and remanufactured parts the rest. One spokesman for the Consumer Federation of America estimates alternative parts to be, on average, anywhere from 34 to 83 percent less costly than the branded parts. According to one aftermarket industry study, their replacement parts save consumers an estimated $1.5 billion each year. A repair parts patent waiver would allow these savings to continue."

Phillips continued, "Congresswoman Lofgren's Access to Repair Parts Act, H.R. 3059, would guarantee that consumers can continue to choose high-quality, low-cost alternative collision replacement parts when repairing their vehicles." "We commend the Congresswoman and her colleagues for sponsoring this outstanding legislation, and we salute the House Judiciary Committee for giving it their utmost consideration," he said.

"While car companies and car dealers have been bailed out with billions and billions of taxpayer dollars, motoring consumers are simply looking for fair treatment," Phillips stressed. "H.R. 3059 would ensure that, especially for America's seniors, and it should be passed," he concluded.

SOURCE RetireSafe