With Gasoline a Dime From Record Price, Top Analyst says West Coast Is Toast;
Low Supply Makes the West a "Compromised Market for the Rest of This Decade," say OPIS Chief
Apr 9, 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
Light bulb legislator strives for bright ideas;
Elephants are also on radar of Lloyd Levine, who wants to 'do big things'Sacramento Bee (California) The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer…
Apr 9, 2007
Healthcare
HMO Regulator Finds Blue Cross Batting Average Is Zero in Proving Patients Lied Before Retroactively Canceling Coverage
Managed Care Law Weekly "Out of 90 cases reviewed to determine whether Blue Cross abided by state law, Blue Cross struck out…
Apr 9, 2007
Energy
Stanford’s deal with Exxon Mobil raised concerns
Sacramento Bee (California) The Stanford deal was controversial from the start, but one aspect recently captured headlines. The San Jose Mercury News…
Apr 9, 2007
Insurance
Mass. Would Junk Quality, Affordability Promises of Health Insurance Mandate
Health Insurance Law Weekly "We can only imagine that the Board is considering an HDHP exemption in response to criticism that health…
Apr 8, 2007
Energy
Officials’ overseas trips raise eyebrows;
Foundation skirts gift limits, critics sayThe San Diego Union-Tribune One watchdog group has demanded that Kehoe and Levine disclose details of the…
Apr 6, 2007
Energy
Group wants details of trip:
Expense-paid Japan travel for lawmakers, regulators bothers consumer advocatesSacramento Bee (California) "It was with great concern that we learned of your participation…
Apr 5, 2007
Healthcare
Retroactively Canceling Insurance Lands Blue Cross in Flurry of Litigation
Los Angeles Daily Journal Jerry Flanagan of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights was not surprised. "Generally, plans get caught red-handed,…
Apr 5, 2007
In The News
Editorial: Stem cells for all;
Patent ruling could remove chill on researchSacramento Bee (California) Nonprofits such as the Public Patent Foundation and the Foundation for Taxpayer and…
Apr 5, 2007
Insurance
PTO Agrees To Re-Examine WARF Claims In Stem Cells
BIOWORLD Today Dated March 30, the PTO's preliminary decision became known Tuesday. WARF has two months to appeal the finding that favors…
Apr 4, 2007
Privacy
Government nixes stem-cell patents;
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office rejects three patents held by the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation.The Daily Deal (deal.com) A challenge to…
Apr 4, 2007
Privacy
Stem cell patents: Rejected!
The Patent and Trademark Office shakes up the biotech intellectual property status quo.Salon.com Score another victory for the patent law freedom fighters.…
Apr 3, 2007
Privacy
Patent office upholds challenge to WARF stem cell patents
Wisconsin Technology Network John M. Simpson, FTCR stem cell project director, called it a great day for scientific research. The foundation has…
Apr 3, 2007
In The News
Key stem cell patents rejected;
US Patent and Trademark Office sides with scientists and consumer groups who had asked for a review of Wisconsin intellectual propertyThe Scientist…
Apr 3, 2007
Privacy
Stem cell patents rejected
North County Times (Escondido, California) In July, the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights Foundation and the Public Patent Foundation filed challenges…
Apr 3, 2007
Insurance
INSURERS’ DENIALS HITTING CHILDREN;
MODESTO MAN'S REQUEST FOR COVERAGE FOR HIS SON REJECTED FOR 1 EAR INFECTIONModesto Bee Jamie Court, president of the Foundation for Taxpayer…
Apr 3, 2007
Energy
State officials’ free junket to Japan with execs raises brows
Sacramento Bee (California) "What makes this trip so particularly egregious is that the corporations are focusing on the exact levers of power…
Apr 3, 2007