Insurance
Health insurer rescinds policy because of chronic gravititis
Is evil a pre-existing condition?
Jun 15, 2009Consumer Watchdog
Providing an effective voice for American consumers in an era when special interests dominate public discourse, government and politics. Non-partisan.
Articles by Consumer Watchdog
Healthcare
No Solidarity For Labor
SEIU head Andrew Stern dismisses the idea that the infighting is derailing labor's progress in Washington. It's a sign of union strength,…
Jun 15, 2009
Insurance
Mandating Health Insurance Purchase is Not Reform
“Requiring Americans to buy insurance coverage from insurers who face no legal accountability will only lock them into the same problems plaguing…
Jun 12, 2009
Privacy
Stem cell chairman to step down at end of term
Bob Klein, chairman of California's stem cell agency oversight board, plans to step down at the end of his six-year term in…
Jun 12, 2009
Insurance
“Health insurance mafia” — Or is it pirates?
Blogger and multimedia guy Bob Cesca doesn't pull his punches when he talks about how much he hates health insurance companies, especially…
Jun 11, 2009
Insurance
‘Blue Dogs’ stand in circle, pull ‘trigger’ over health care option
The 50 or so moderate/conservative House Democrats called Blue Dogs announced last week that they all support the health insurance industry's proposal…
Jun 11, 2009
Privacy
Google Says It Loves Competition
With Justice Department scrutiny over the Google Books Settlement only the the leading edge of antitrust regulators’ attention to Google, the company…
Jun 11, 2009
Healthcare
Doctors’ lobby attack on health reform seeks malpractice caps in Obamacare
The American Medical Association has proven again that the greed of the medical insurance complex is the chief obstacle to health care…
Jun 11, 2009
Privacy
Google Polishes Competition Charm Offensive
SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- Google continued to lay the groundwork Wednesday for an antitrust defense in the event that the federal government…
Jun 10, 2009
Privacy
Reports: DOJ Turns Up The Heat On Google’s Book Deal
The U.S. Department of Justice has stepped up its review of a deal that would settle a lawsuit publishers and authors filed…
Jun 10, 2009
Insurance
Google Receives Federal Request For Book Settlement Info
The U.S. Justice Department is reportedly investigating Google's digital books settlement with publishers, which Google claims will make millions of volumes accessible…
Jun 10, 2009Will Insurer & Drug Money Leash the “Blue Dogs”?
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The "Blue Dog Coalition," a group of 51 conservative and moderate House democrats who now oppose a strong public…
Jun 10, 2009
Healthcare
Body Of Lies: Patients Aren’t 100% Honest With Doctors
When patients aren't truthful, misled doctors may give a wrong diagnosis or treatment. Patients can refuse to release the records, but if…
Jun 9, 2009
Insurance
Private Insurance Companies Push For ‘Individual Mandate’
In a recent letter to Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.), Jerry Flanagan of the Santa Monica-based advocacy group Consumer Watchdog…
Jun 7, 2009
Privacy
Consumer Groups Challenge Obama’s Appointment Of Google Executive
Two consumer groups are seeking to throw a roadblock in front of President Obama's pending appointment of Google's top global public policy…
Jun 6, 2009
Insurance
TOSback: Keeping tabs on the Web’s fine print
Among the most frustrating things about online services and Internet companies are the "terms of service" policies governing how the businessses interact…
Jun 5, 2009
Insurance
Insurer pals in Congress “cut and paste” industry demands
I'd rather trust Grandma's pearls to a guy with a mask and a crowbar than let insurance companies control national health reform.…
Jun 5, 2009
Privacy
Obama Urged To Halt Google Government Takeover – Stop The Revolving Door
Two consumer watchdogs - including the aptly-named Consumer Watchdog - have urged US President Barack Obama to avoid appointing Google's director of…
Jun 5, 2009