Consumer Watchdog

Energy

OSE USING ENERGY TO PROMOTE HIS PROFILE?

The National Journal Group Hotline The contrast between Senator Boxer and Congressman Ose couldn't be more clear. She was one of the…

Mar 10, 2003

Insurance

Malpractice Reforms Fail To Cure Some States’ Premium Woes

National Underwriter Last week we reported on states where malpractice reforms succeeded in controlling costs. This week we review several states where…

Mar 10, 2003

Healthcare

Doctors’ e-mails suggested frustration before rallies, work stoppage

Associated Press Some e-mails widely circulated among New Jersey doctors before last month's work slowdown urged them to "inconvenience patients" as they…

Mar 10, 2003

Insurance

Consumer Group Releases Doctor E-mails Detailing Strike

National Journals Technology Daily In addition to plans of action, the e-mails also included messages that advised physicians to threaten wavering doctors…

Mar 10, 2003

Insurance

Anatomy of a Strike: Doctors’ E-Mail Shows Depth of Anger

The New York Times A month after thousands of New Jersey doctors staged a work stoppage to protest rising malpractice insurance rates,…

Mar 10, 2003

Privacy

Davis rewards staffers;

Governor hires former campaign workersSan Jose Mercury News In the four months since Gray Davis won re-election, the Democratic governor has rewarded…

Mar 9, 2003

Energy

GOP Senate hopeful raises profile with energy criticism

Associated Press A leading Senate challenger turned his congressional subcommittee into a high-profile platform to criticize Democratic officials and California's energy regulators…

Mar 8, 2003

Privacy

Davis’ Election Aides Get State Jobs;

At least 21 who helped the governor have won new posts, promotions.Los Angeles Times At least 21 of the governor's campaign workers…

Mar 8, 2003

Privacy

21 Davis campaign workers get administration jobs

Associated Press At least 21 of Gov. Gray Davis' campaign workers have been given state jobs or promotions since he won re-election…

Mar 8, 2003

Healthcare

How Insurance Reform Lowered Doctors’ Medical Malpractice Rates in California

A 1988 California insurance reform initiative (Proposition 103), and not the state’s 1975 malpractice law, is the reason California doctors’ medical malpractice…

Mar 7, 2003

Privacy

TELECOM – Peevey conflict of interest

Communications Daily Despite a conflict-of-interest cloud raised by consumer advocates, the Cal. Senate is scheduled to vote next week on whether to…

Mar 7, 2003

Energy

PUC nominee OK’d by state panel;

Proposed chief said he accepted free SFO parkingSan Francisco Chronicle "This is the guy who is president of the PUC, and he…

Mar 6, 2003

Privacy

Legislators live high in land of the freebie

Sacramento Bee According to economic interest statements filed this week with the Fair Political Practices Commission, the Legislature's 120 members reported accepting…

Mar 6, 2003

Privacy

Despite admission, PUC leader backed

San Jose Mercury News At the hearing, consumer advocate Doug Heller said Peevey had broken the public's trust by taking the improper…

Mar 6, 2003

Documents Prove Peevey Should Not Be Confirmed As Public Utilities Commissioner

PUC President Accepted Illegal Gifts From Regulated Entity Michael Peevey, the recently appointed President of the California Public Utilities Commission (PUC), disclosed…

Mar 5, 2003

43% of CA Doctors Ready to Flee Despite Damage Caps, Medical Association Reports

A report by the CMA contradicts doctor and insurer claims today that the state's malpractice cap has stopped physicians from fleeing the…

Mar 5, 2003

Energy

PUC chief acknowledges parking free at SFO

San Francisco Chronicle Michael Peevey, the state's top utility regulator, said he mistakenly violated state rules by accepting $2,134 in free parking…

Mar 5, 2003

Healthcare

Malpractice Insurance: No Clear or Easy Answers

The New York Times The greatest drops in premiums and, so far, the most consistent, did not come until after California adopted…

Mar 5, 2003