Holding Corporations Responsible
Too often, powerful interests in our society unfairly profit at the expense of everyday Americans. In an effort to hold these parties accountable, Senator Harkin has undertaken the following.
- With the passage of the health reform law, Senator Harkin will closely monitor private insurance companies to ensure they comply with the new provisions and treat their customers fairly.
- When news reports surfaced that banks were improperly processing foreclosure documents and had disregarded legally required safeguards, Senator Harkin urged the Administration to isolate the bad actors and stamp out abuses. Harkin also backed Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller's request that banks and mortgage servicers cease all foreclosure proceedings in Iowa until a thorough review could be conducted.
- In 2009, Senator Harkin held hearings on consumer recourse for faulty medical devices, such as heart defibrillators. In light of a recent Supreme Court decision, corporations that endanger consumers with unsafe medical devices are immune from lawsuits. Victims cannot receive fair compensation and have no ability to hold accountable those who caused them harm. Harkin believes that victims of faulty medical devices should have the same access to the courts as other consumers.