Memo at Bakersfield Refinery: Shell Oil Is “Trying to Shut Down Our Plant”
Consumer Group Calls on Sen. Boxer, California Officials To Investigate at Facility Shell Previously Tried to Shut Down; Warns Gas Prices Could…
Jan 9, 2009Consumer Watchdog
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Articles by Consumer Watchdog
Healthcare
Patients Off Hook In Emergency Room Fee Dispute
Emergency room doctors who think a patient's HMO has underpaid them can't bill the patient for the difference and must seek whatever…
Jan 9, 2009
Healthcare
State Supreme Court Backs ER Patients Over Billing
In a decision with broad implications for health care consumers, the California Supreme Court has ruled that medically insured patients may not…
Jan 9, 2009
Energy
Controversy Boils at Idled Refinery
Shell Oil Co. is putting the squeeze on a financially troubled Bakersfield refinery it sold in 2005 to Big West Oil, which…
Jan 9, 2009
Privacy
Race for stem cell vice chair’s job heats up
The contest to be the next vice chair of the state stem cell board is heating up with Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA)…
Jan 9, 2009
Insurance
Is Public Access TV Dead? Big cable may finally push out quirky cable.
"If the city of L.A. is going to be the only owner of public access," says Judy Dugan, research director of the…
Jan 8, 2009“Balancing Billing” Decision Protects Patients From Unfair Medical Bills
Santa Monica, CA -- Consumer Watchdog released the following statement regarding the California Supreme Court's ruling today on the issue of "balance…
Jan 8, 2009
Privacy
Model’s “skank” suit highlights Google privacy issues
A model's suit to force Google to identify an anonymous blogger highlights the privacy issues surrounding many of Google's services. According to…
Jan 7, 2009
Insurance
Blue Shield To Restore Coverage For Dropped Californians
In an attempt to settle investigations prompted by articles in The Times, the insurer agrees to reissue plans to almost 700 Californians…
Jan 7, 2009
Insurance
Allstate Gets OK To Hike Homeowner Insurance 6.9% in California
The rate-increase proposal, which was not subject to a public hearing because it was below a 7% legal threshold, was approved after…
Jan 6, 2009
Privacy
Google Defends Privacy of Gmail Service
A Santa Monica, California-based nonprofit group that advocates for consumers is calling for the Internet’s search and ad leader to change the…
Dec 31, 2008
Energy
Gasoline Prices Fall In U.S. But Edge Up In California, Raising Concern
The U.S. average drops 4 cents in the last week to $1.613 a gallon. California's average climbs 0.4 cent to $1.810. Some…
Dec 31, 2008
Energy
Anti-Big-Business Group Urges Obama to Increase Oil Company Regulation
SANTA MONICA, Calif. -- A self-described anti-big-business group is calling on President-elect Barack Obama and Energy Department designee Steven Chu to step…
Dec 30, 2008
Privacy
High Borrowing Fees Sock Calif. Taxpayers
SACRAMENTO, CA -- California's need to borrow billions to handle its basic government expenses in a soured credit market is costing taxpayers…
Dec 27, 2008
Insurance
Targeting the Wasteful, Activists Seek End to California’s Waste Board
Last month, Gov. Schwarzenegger appointed former state Sen. Carole Migden to a $132,000-a-year seat on the waste-management board, an obscure panel that…
Dec 26, 2008
Insurance
Early Buy-In for Medicare Would Lower Costs
A plan to allow Americans to buy into Medicare before turning 65 would do a better job of lowering costs and expanding…
Dec 26, 2008
Insurance
Blue Cross Fined $150,000 for Data Disclosure
In one of his final acts as insurance commissioner, Matt Denn fined Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware $150,000 on Wednesday for…
Dec 26, 2008
Privacy
Stem cell board fails to muster quorum, skips cash request
California's stem cell board, the Independent Citizen's Oversight Committee (ICOC), was flummoxed again on Tuesday by its super majority requirement. The 29-member…
Dec 24, 2008