Consumer Watchdog

Gasoline prices follow oil upward;

Crude futures hit new highs. The weak dollar, stormy weather in the Gulf of Mexico and other factors are cited.Los Angeles Times…

FTCR: Gas Prices Spiking On Speculators’ Hot Air

California Wildfires; Insurance Controversy; Home Protection

CNN-TV - Open House Program DOUGLAS HELLER, FOUNDATION FOR TAXPAYER & CONSUMER RIGHTS: The insurance industry is looking at American consumers sort…

Competing health insurance plans equally flawed

San Jose Mercury News (California) Why does Massachusetts matter? Because both the latest Schwarzenegger proposal, and the alternative favored by Assembly Speaker…

Insurance Aftermath of California Wildfires: What Consumers, Lawmakers and Regulators Should Look Out For

Consumer Advocate Confronts Chevron Chief Executive Over Soaring Gasoline Prices With “Golden Nozzle Award”

Insurance in a risky state: Coverage changed after Oakland blaze

San Jose Mercury News (California) Consumer-rights advocate Carmen Balber warned that homeowners should be vigilant when it comes to properly insuring themselves…

IS YOUR HOME COVERED? – HOW TO KEEP CURRENT

THE SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE (California) Poizner said he does not anticipate there will be requests for rate increases as a result of…

SOUTHLAND BLAZES: HELP FOR HOMEOWNERS — Before smoke has cleared, insurers roll in;

Mobile units set up in affected areas. A top state official predicts 'hundreds of millions of dollars' in damage.Los Angeles Times The…

When health insurance dumps you;

State works to protect consumers from having health coverage pulledTHE SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE (California) At least one consumer group is concerned the…

Regulators aim to curb healthcare rescissions;

Rules would have firms check applicants' fitness before issuing policies.Los Angeles Times The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights had petitioned the…

Health plan shield proposed;

State agencies lay out regulations to halt cancellation of policies retroactively.Sacramento Bee (California) But one group criticized the proposal, saying the plan…

Consumers Call On Interstate Stem Cell Group To Endorse Open Meetings

Draft Rules Won’t Stop Insurers’ Illegal Cancellations of Health Policies;

Rules Compound Problems With Governor's Mandatory Health Insurance Plan

The Next Battle for Wildfire Victims: Insurance

Consumers could get stiffed on reimbursement for razed homes, and even get dropped by their insurance companies, consumer advocates warn.CNNMoney.com Experts like…

New schools may get bond funds;

Voters approved the money in 2005 to modernize existing L.A. Unified campusesLos Angeles Times Van Ginkel added that the bond's wording allows…

WellPoint Doctors To Get Zagat Ratings

While customer satisfaction is a factor in picking a doctor, some consumer advocates say it falls short. "The fact that a doctor…

Stem cell agency mulls big loans for biotechs

San Francisco Business Times John M. Simpson, stem cell project director for the watchdog Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, said that…