Consumer Watchdog

UnitedHealth/PacifiCare Merger Will Make Goliaths Too Big to Compete;

State and Federal Regulators Must Get Guarantees for Patients, Doctors & Hospitals

Consumer Group Says Blue Cross of California $150K Fine for Overcharges is “Not Enough”

Associations’ Policies Under Scrutiny;

Millions buy health insurance through trade and other groups. But alliances and claims of misrepresentation raise concerns.Los Angeles Times Many associations offer…

Hospital price lists trickle in;

About 60% meet state's deadline for service chargesSan Francisco Chronicle "We need to have strict oversight and require standardization of rates," said…

Bush expected to sign junk fax amendments

Daily Journal of Commerce (Portland, OR) The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, a nonprofit consumer protection agency, said the Act would…

Most Hospitals Have Not Submitted Required Price Lists

A Tylenol Can Cost $7 Depending on the Hospital, Uniform Pricing Needed

Canada may shut off prescription supply

Los Angeles Daily News The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, which organized the train trip to Vancouver, said that if Canada…

Canada threatens drug cutoff

HEALTH: Many people, among them Inland seniors, buy the lower-cost medications.The Press-Enterprise (Riverside, CA) Some Americans in northern states go to Canada…

Consumer Group Challenges AMA on Drug Ads

Consumer Affairs "The AMA's feigned concern for the fate of patients targeted by drug advertising makes about as much sense as a…

Canada May Ban U.S. Drug Sales When Supply Falls

The Wall Street Journal The evolving situation in Canada has prompted an outcry from U.S. consumer groups who believe low-income Americans, including…

CANADA MAY CUT EXPORT OF DRUGS;

S. FLORIDIANS VOICE CONCERNSun-Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, FL) "Americans are only buying drugs from Canada because President Bush and Congress, with their cozy…

Congress pulls plug on junk-fax rule

The Hill On its website, the California-based Foundation for Taxpayer & Consumer Rights urged consumers to contact lawmakers in opposition to S.…

STATE BUDGETEERS TO MISS DEADLINE AGAIN

The Daily News of Los Angeles "These guys in Sacramento can't do anything on time except cash their paychecks and per diems,"…

Health minister says Canada intends to ban the export of bulk prescription drugs

Associated Press Some consumer advocates say many lower-income Americans have no choice but to turn to Canada for their lifesaving medications.

Canada to Ban Prescription Drug Exports

U.S. Seniors Left With No Alternative

CA Should Collect Overpayments from Drug Companies, Not Force Seniors and the Disabled Into HMOs

A Bonus for Allstate Customers

Contra Costa Times (California) "Allstate had cheated its customers with a series of arbitrary and unfair actions," said Douglas Heller, executive director…

Legislation to Legalize Violations of Proposition 103 Faces Court Hearing Wednesday

Consumer Groups Fight Insurance Surcharge Law Sponsored by Mercury Insurance