Insurance
Still in Verizon customer service hell
I reported last week on my efforts to receive a promised television set for signing up with Verizon's FiOS Triple Freedom plan. …
Mar 31, 2008Consumer Watchdog
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Articles by Consumer Watchdog
Insurance
AT&T Mobility, VZW, Sprint Nextel Targeted in Gambling Class Action
Legal Action Targets Text Messages Tied to TV Programs The nation's three largest wireless carriers have been hit with class action lawsuits…
Mar 31, 2008Gasoline Prices Hit Records in U.S., 17 States; Congress Prepares to Question Oil Execs
Group Calls for Passage of Stalled Renewable Energy Bill, Oversight of Trading Markets Gasoline pumps prices rose to yet another record today…
Mar 31, 2008
Insurance
First, Self-Control. Then, Debt Control.
If you have gotten in over your head in credit card debt, you are in good company. The Federal Reserve says Americans…
Mar 29, 2008
Privacy
Ex-lawmaker Embraces New Role As Campaign Watchdog
SACRAMENTO, CA -- Some elected officials might have thought they'd have a friend atop the state's campaign watchdog agency when Gov. Arnold…
Mar 29, 2008
Privacy
Arnold on toll road: “I’ll be back!”
When I saw that the Consulting Engineers & Land Surveyors PAC added another $10K last week to the $367,300 that they've already…
Mar 28, 2008
Insurance
Hillary’s Premium Cap Trap
Sen. Hillary Clinton fell into the "premium cap" trap in a New York Times interview published today, saying that, in her mandatory…
Mar 28, 2008
Privacy
Roasting a politician
Let's say I’m alternating between amused and appalled by the note in today’s Capitol Alert that Assemblywoman Nicole Parra has apparently run...
Mar 27, 2008Consumer Advocates Call for Governor To Make Good on His Promise to Protect Patients From Illegal Cancellations of Health Insurance
Health Care Regulators Accused in Hearing of "Glacial Pace" In Stopping Post-Claim Rescissions, Failing to Restore Coverage to Victims California’s Department…
Mar 27, 2008
In The News
Doing it right in Washington and California
Remember the Interstate Alliance on Stem Cell Research? They're the folks who threw me out of their meeting last summer in Irvine,…
Mar 27, 2008
Healthcare
Senate Hearing to Probe Regulation of Health Care Industry
A powerful Senate Democrat said a private meeting Wednesday between health insurers and state regulators appears to be part of the Schwarzenegger…
Mar 27, 2008
Insurance
Don’t Let the Door Hit You….
When the doors are slammed on a meeting between government and industry, the excuse is usually that a "frank exchange" must be…
Mar 26, 2008
Privacy
Revolving door sends chief of FTC to P&G
Add number 572 to the list of reasons why people don’t believe the government is working for them any more. Deborah Platt…
Mar 26, 2008
Energy
‘Golden handshake’ foe says Assembly speaker stripped him of rules post
Assemblyman Hector De La Torre said Tuesday that he was ousted as chairman of the powerful Rules Committee for challenging Assembly Speaker…
Mar 26, 2008
Healthcare
Health Insurers to Meet with State Agency on Rescission Probe
Consumer advocates worry that the closed session will advance a plan that critics say could make it easier to cancel policies. Regulators…
Mar 26, 2008
Privacy
Caught in Verizon’s customer service hell
I don't know which was worse: Repeatedly being told "we realize your time is important" as I waited for a live agent…
Mar 26, 2008
Energy
Gas Prices Drive Up Sales Tax Revenue in State
Sacramento, CA -- While motorists fume over the skyrocketing cost of gasoline, state officials say the extra sales tax revenue from high…
Mar 25, 2008
Insurance
Not a private science club
Back in February California's stem cell agency made a big deal of hosting a meeting of the International Stem Cell Forum. Chairman…
Mar 25, 2008