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, 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
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
Energy
Is the era of deregulation finally over?
For a generation, regulation has been a dirty word in politics unless it had the prefix "de-" attached to it. I think…
Mar 24, 2008
Privacy
Fine official, but delayed
The FPPC approved that $350,000 fine on Senator Migden at an emergency meeting yesterday, with one dissension -- Commissioner Leidig wanted the…
Mar 21, 2008
Energy
Gas Pricier, but Brief Dip Seen Coming
Gasoline prices have been flirting in recent days with Arkansas' average record of $3.18 a gallon set in May. The national average…
Mar 21, 2008
Privacy
The real cost of pushing pills
Big drug companies like to tell us that the reason pills cost so much is the high cost of research and development. …
Mar 21, 2008
Insurance
Wisconsin Stem Cell Patents Upheld
Scientists are still grumbling about the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation's grip on stem cell patents--a hold strengthened by rulings this and last…
Mar 21, 2008
Insurance
Canada: What Heparin problem?
Today's news stories identifying the apparently deadly fake heparin that adulterated a major U.S. brand of the blood thinner brought back memories:…
Mar 20, 2008