Double-Digit Rate Increases Expected Under Mass. Mandatory Health Law — 5% Cap on Rate Hikes Proposed;
California Labor Poised to Sell Out Consumers with Unaffordable Mandate
Dec 11, 2007Consumer 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
Probe of stem cell agency
The Sacramento Bee A taxpayers group filed a complaint Nov. 21 alleging that John Reed, one of the 29 members of the…
Dec 11, 2007
Privacy
Burnham chief faces conflict probe
The San Diego Union-Tribune The commission has sent letters to the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights in Santa Monica and state…
Dec 11, 2007
Accountability
Stem cell institute criticized on ethics
The San Diego Union-Tribune Taxpayer advocates who hammered the stem cell institute on the Reed matter were stymied as to how leaders…
Dec 8, 2007
In The News
State stem cell agency rejects 10 applications for grant money
San Francisco Chronicle John Simpson, of the Santa Monica-based watchdog group Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, said the academic deans on…
Dec 8, 2007
Privacy
Stem cell agency rejects 10 grant applications
The Sacramento Bee John Simpson, spokesman for the watchdog group Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, said the rules should have been…
Dec 8, 2007
Insurance
Stem-cell agency denies 10 grants, cites conflicts of interest
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST CITED FOR 10 APPLICATIONSSan Jose Mercury News But John Simpson of the consumer group that complained about Reed said…
Dec 8, 2007Stem Cell Institute Correct In Rejecting Applications Over Conflicts Of Interest;
Institutions, Board Members Involved Must Be Identified, Consumer Advocates Say
Dec 7, 2007New Conflict of Interest Violations Revealed At California Stem Cell Institute;
Tainted Research Grant Applications Must Be Rejected, Consumer Advocates Say
Dec 7, 2007
Privacy
Bids for stem-cell grants in jeopardy;
4 universities may have broken rules on conflict of interestThe San Francisco Chronicle Reed has since said that it was an unintentional…
Dec 7, 2007Farmers Insurance Asks Commissioner Poizner for Homeowners Rate Hike Based on Great Customer Service, Despite Lower Than Average Customer Service Ranking;
California Consumer Group Challenges Farmers' Attempt to Overcharge California Homeowners One-Quarter $Billion a Year
Dec 6, 2007
Privacy
California Plans for a $750 Million Biotech Bank
Wired Magazine John M. Simpson, stem cell project director for the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumers Rights in Santa Monica, helped develop…
Dec 6, 2007
Insurance
Consumers Knock Cell Service
Consumer Reports' survey found that cellular phone providers' often onerous contract terms and early termination penalties are being revised under the pressure…
Dec 5, 2007
Insurance
Ruling on recisions is blow to insurers;
Patients dropped by Blue Shield may sue as a class, a panel says.Los Angeles Times Jamie Court, a spokesman for the Santa…
Dec 5, 2007
Healthcare
Politics, business as usual in health proposals?
Candidates' plans to bring little reform, don't address costs, analysts sayCBS MarketWatch.com FTCR's Jerry Flanagan points out, however, that the double-digit rate…
Dec 4, 2007
Insurance
Employment law ruling may impact wireless operators;
Case calls into question legality of arbitration clausesRCR Wireless News "What's fascinating is that the wireless companies have lost a slew of…
Dec 3, 2007
Healthcare
Workers defend hospital labor costs
Santa Cruz Sentinel John Simpson, of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights in Los Angeles, agreed. Nurses, whose profession was once…
Dec 3, 2007