Consumer Watchdog

Blue Cross settles lawsuits;

Patients claimed they were dumped by their insurerTHE SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE Consumer advocates said settlements and fines don't go far enough. "Blue…

Kaiser Told to Reinstate Coverage;

Regulators' action in a kidney patient's case comes as scrutiny over cancellations grows.The Los Angeles Times Consumer lawyers and patient advocates say…

Political ad replays on YouTube;

BACKERS HOPE EXTRA EXPOSURE SPURS PROPOSITION 89San Jose Mercury News (California) The ad, which hit TV markets around the state this week,…

Top 10 Corporate Spenders On 2006 Initiatives Give $132 Million;

Corporations Give 61% of Total Initiative Funding, Outspend Unions 12 To 1 -- Prop. 89 Will Level the Playing Field

Meds seizure policy shifting;

Small shipments from Canada OKThe Record (Bergen County, NJ) Jerry Flanagan of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights said the government…

Difference in Post-Katrina Gas Price Drop vs. Pre-Election Gas Price Drop

CA Gas Inventory Chart 2006 vs. 2005

Regulators Must Establish New Rules to Protect Tens of Thousands of Consumers Not Included in Blue Cross’s Settlement of 70+ Cancellation Lawsuits, Consumer Advocates Say

Blue Cross Settling Patients’ Lawsuits;

The big insurer, accused of illegally canceling some policies, agrees to pay its ex-customers.The Los Angeles Times Consumer advocates said they feared…

Letter from Tim Hamilton RE: Gas Price Fixing in Election Years

Proposition 89: Public financing measure an election fix or a bigger mess?

Sacramento Bee (California) The measure would provide public financing for state candidates and place new restrictions on ballot-measure campaigns. "In politics, you…

Was stem-cell advance ‘obvious’?

The Wisconsin State Journal John Simpson, stem-cell director for the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, said the license fees demanded by…

PROPOSITIONS — Public Works Package Leads the Way

The Los Angeles Times Prop 89 - Public financing of campaigns. What it would do:Â Raise corporate and banking taxes by $200…

Clinton endorses Calif. oil tax vote (Prop 87)

UPI - United Press International Prop. 87 is also endorsed by former Clinton Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Sen. Diane Feinstein, D-Calif.,…

FDA approves Avastin for lung cancer

The San Jose Mercury News (California) On Wednesday, the company went a step further, announcing that it will cap Avastin's price for…

Stem cell board plans to make big grants in ’07

THE SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE "No matter how good the scientific strategic plan is, it's meaningless without the proper policies in place," said…

Genentech Caps Cost of Cancer Drug for Some Patients

The New York Times It is not clear whether Genentech's move will mollify critics. Jerry Flanagan, health care policy director at the…

WHO’S BACKING PROP. R?;

FIRMS, UNIONS HAVE STAKE IN KEEPING COUNCIL MEMBERS IN OFFICEThe Daily News of Los Angeles "Of course, the special interests want to…