Consumer 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
Draft Rules Won’t Stop Insurers’ Illegal Cancellations of Health Policies;
Rules Compound Problems With Governor's Mandatory Health Insurance Plan
Oct 23, 2007The 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…
Oct 23, 2007New 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…
Oct 23, 2007WellPoint 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…
Oct 22, 2007Stem 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…
Oct 22, 2007What if the UC system lost state funding?
San Jose Mercury News (California) "I see privatization happening right now," said John M. Simpson, consumer advocate for the Foundation for Taxpayer…
Oct 22, 200734 percent of area gas stations fail pump tests in last three years
South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale) Devices that shortchange customers are taken out of service until they are fixed and reinspected. Pumps that…
Oct 21, 2007Auto insurance reforms set to equalize rates face a deadline
Inside Bay Area (California) Prop. 103 is "all about giving drivers a fair shake," said Doug Heller, executive director of the Foundation…
Oct 21, 2007Refinery margins have been an ally at the gas pump
The Kansas City Star (Missouri) Industry critics say that refinery capacity over the years has not kept up with demand, and that…
Oct 20, 2007Giuliani Leaps Past $500,000 Mark in Big Oil Contributions;
All Presidential Candidates Should Return Oil Industry's "Dirty Money," Says Watchdog Group
Oct 19, 2007State HMOs treaded water in improving care, study says
Sacramento Bee (California) One consumer group criticized the report, calling it shallow and incomplete. Jerry Flanagan of the Foundation for Taxpayer and…
Oct 19, 2007State report card: HMOs need to help more with diabetes, obesity
The San Francisco Chronicle Jerry Flanagan, health advocate for the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, was astounded that the report card…
Oct 19, 2007HMOs rate poorly on prevention;
Many Californians in the plans are not getting adequate screening to detect diseases such as cancer, state report says.Los Angeles Times Jerry…
Oct 19, 2007Oil prices soar — but why?
St. Paul Pioneer Press (Minnesota) Oil industry critics say that refiner manipulation is to blame. "These companies control the maintenance, the output,…
Oct 18, 2007Media Has Arnold’s Number
I recounted yesterday how big business made out like bandits this year when the dust cleared on the governor's bill signings, but…
Oct 17, 2007Two Faces on the Car Tax
Just because Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed into law AB118, an oil-friendly bill disguised as...
Oct 17, 2007