Today is Deadline for New Auto Insurance Pricing System Based on Driving Record Not ZIP Code
20 Years After Vote, Insurers Must Show They are Complying With Prop 103 Rules Santa Monica, CA -- Today is the…
Jul 14, 2008Consumer 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
Privacy
Stem cell chairman apologizes; must make choice
To his credit Bob Klein, chairman of the California stem cell agency, has apologized to Sen. Sheila Kuehl for an unseemly...
Jul 14, 2008
Insurance
Buying Private Health Insurance
Think shopping home and auto policies is fun? Try buying your own health insurance. As companies cut corners and more entrepreneurs strike…
Jul 14, 2008
Healthcare
Health Insurance Caps Leave Patients Stranded
Serious Illness Quickly Exhausts Lifetime Limits of $1 Million or More Mary Wusterbarth thought her toddler was struggling with an ear infection…
Jul 13, 2008
Insurance
State Weighs ‘Pay As You Drive’ Insurance
Would you cut back on driving if your insurance company charged by the mile, and maybe by the way you handle your…
Jul 12, 2008
Healthcare
State Needs to Enforce Its Actions Against Blue Cross
California health insurance regulators now say they are back in pursuit of Anthem Blue Cross as they examine 1,770 patient policies canceled…
Jul 12, 2008
Privacy
Americans for Cures apologizes; Klein still should step down
Bob Klein's advocacy group has just apologized for its sharp personal attack on Sen. Sheila Kuehl because she supports ...
Jul 12, 2008
Privacy
California’s stem cell chairman must resign
Robert Klein, who is chairman of California's $6 billion stem cell agency, must resign in the wake of an inappropriate personal attack…
Jul 11, 2008
Insurance
Allstate Must Slash Homeowner Rates
Allstate Insurance Corp., the state's third-largest home insurer, was ordered yesterday to slash its homeowner's rates by 28.5 percent in one of…
Jul 11, 2008Allstate Must Lower Homeowners’ Insurance Rates $242 Million a Year As A Result Of Proposition 103’s Consumer Protection Rules
Consumer Advocates Applaud Commissioner Poizner's Ruling, Shift Focus To Investigation of Possible Refunds for Past Allstate Overcharges Santa Monica, CA…
Jul 10, 2008
Insurance
Allstate to Slash Homeowner Insurance Rates 28.5%
The state-ordered reduction will save more than 850,000 customers about $250 each. SACRAMENTO, CA -- The rate reduction, to be announced this…
Jul 10, 2008Consumer Watchdog to CA Supreme Court: Key Consumer Protection Law Applies to Insurance Companies
Court to Decide Whether Insurance is a “Service” Santa Monica, CA -- Consumer Watchdog today urged the California Supreme Court to…
Jul 9, 2008
Insurance
Million dollar slap on the wrist becomes a wink and a nod
2 years ago California regulators fined Blue Cross of California $1 million for cancelling insurance policies when patients got sick. Or at…
Jul 7, 2008
Insurance
Calif to Seek Fines Against Blue Cross, Shield
LOS ANGELES, CA -- California health insurance regulators are scrutinizing 1,770 patient policies canceled by Anthem Blue Cross to see if they…
Jul 7, 2008
Healthcare
Stem Cell Grant Review Upsets Some Applicants
The state's stem cell institute, which so far has approved $554 million in taxpayer-funded research grants, is basing its funding decisions on…
Jul 6, 2008
Privacy
The Evidence Gap — Costly Cancer Drug Offers Hope, but Also a Dilemma
It took only an instant for 58-year-old Gailanne Reeh to go from the picture of health to death’s door. By chance, her…
Jul 6, 2008
Energy
Lobbying Increases with Oil Prices
Industry spent nearly 62 percent more between 2004 and 2007 THE OIL LOBBY Expenditures for federal lobbying by the oil and gas…
Jul 4, 2008