Energy
CA Contractors & Oilman Host Texas Shakedown
According to a fundraising invitation, the hosts of Arnold's Monday night fundraiser in Dallas are Jeff Rich, the...
May 18, 2005Consumer 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
Insurance
Regulators to Examine Reserves at Blue Cross;
The amount is about five times the required level, attracting attention in light of recent premium hikes being investigated.Los Angeles Times State…
May 18, 2005Kaiser and Blue Cross Excess Reserves Enough to Provide Health Care for Half of CA’s Uninsured for An Entire Year
Consumer Advocate suggests revoking companies' non-profit status
May 18, 2005
Energy
Clinton-Gingrich is just the ticket to a lame health-care sequel
The Tallahassee Democrat I'm not saying that the Hillary-Newt idea is a bad one (for that, read HuffPost blogger Jamie Court )…
May 18, 2005
Healthcare
Blue Cross grilled on fees;
State wants to know whether premiums were raised to fund WellPoint merger.Sacramento Bee Jerry Flanagan, with the Foundation for Consumer and Taxpayer…
May 15, 2005
Insurance
Blue Cross premiums probed;
Anthem merger costs at issueStockton Record Consumer advocate Jerry Flanagan said Blue Cross broke its promise not to raise rates to pay…
May 15, 2005
Insurance
Regulators Accelerate Probe of Hikes in Blue Cross Premiums;
Consumer activists tell of boosts as high as 40% after a takeover of the insurer's parent. The company calls the increases reasonable.Los…
May 15, 2005
Insurance
California regulators step up investigation of Blue Cross hikes
Associated Press Consumer advocates raised concerns last year about the November merger between Thousand Oaks-based WellPoint Health Networks, the parent company of…
May 15, 2005Assembly Committee OKs Bill To Allow Homeowners Insurance Rates Based On Customers’ Credit History
Credit Scores Unrelated To Risk Of Home Damage, Say Consumer Advocates
May 14, 2005
Privacy
City’s Lawsuit Against Self Dies
Councilman not surprised about high court's decisionSanta Monica Daily Press City Hall suffered a third strike last month when the state Supreme…
May 13, 2005
Privacy
City’s Lawsuit Against Self Dies
Councilman not surprised about high court's decisionSanta Monica Daily Press City Hall suffered a third strike last month when the state Supreme…
May 13, 2005
Insurance
Insurance, credit scores don’t mix
San Gabriel Valley Tribune Assemblyman Ron Calderon's bill allowing insurance companies to use consumer credit ratings to determine eligibility for homeowner policies…
May 13, 2005
Insurance
Million Dollar Baby
California law limits the campaign contributions a Governor may accept to $22,300 from any single donor. A recent court ruling, however, said…
May 13, 2005Blue Cross Patients & Small Business Owners Demand Refunds in Wake of $4 Billion in Merger Costs
Group Calls on Blue Cross and Regulators to Answer 10 Questions to Explain Rate Increases
May 13, 2005
Insurance
Consumer Watchdog’s Legal Project Principles
The judicial branch is the only branch of government free of the powerful influence of special interests. Consumer Watchdog strongly supports the…
May 13, 2005CA Supreme Court Upholds Nation’s Strongest Conflict of Interest Initiatives in Pasadena, Santa Monica
Landmark Voter-Approved Initiatives Ban Public Officials From Taking Campaign Cash, Gifts or Jobs from City Contractors
May 13, 2005
Privacy
Hillary Clinton, Newt Gingrich Team Up on Medical Data Bill
CNSNews.com The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, a consumer advocacy organization, warns that the "huge databases" envisioned by the bill would…
May 12, 2005CA Supreme Court Upholds Nation’s Strongest Conflict of Interest Initiatives in Pasadena, Santa Monica
Landmark Voter-Approved Initiatives Ban Public Officials From Taking Campaign Cash, Gifts or Jobs from City Contractors
May 12, 2005