Insurance
Raising Cain
By signing a worker's comp "reform" law that failed to provide any regulatory controls over the insurance companies that have been jacking…
Jul 9, 2004Consumer 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
Indicting Ken Lay For Securities Fraud Is Not Enough; Former Enron Chairman Must Account For Energy Crimes
Group Calls Indictment A Hollow Victory If Bush Administration Fails to Go After Billions Stolen During Cal. Energy Crisis
Jul 8, 2004
Insurance
Officials look into Blue Cross tax loophole
Los Angeles Daily News FTCR, a Santa Monica-based consumer advocacy group, continues to dredge up information about Blue Cross' premium tax exemption.
Jul 8, 2004
Energy
Lay championed energy deregulation
Contra Costa Times (California) "Even though Enron didn't make off with the biggest bag of money, you have to look at Enron…
Jul 8, 2004
Accountability
Indictment bittersweet in California
San Jose Mercury News (California) Doug Heller of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights said the reported indictment was bittersweet for…
Jul 8, 2004
Energy
FTC launches Shell antitrust probe
The Seattle Times A watchdog group, The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, last month sent internal company documents to the FTC…
Jul 8, 2004
Courtroom
Los Angeles Times – Blue Cross Tax Status Criticized
By Lisa Girion, LOS ANGELES TIMES https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-jul-08-fi-anthem8-story.html Consumer advocates criticized the proposed sale of WellPoint Health Networks Inc. on Wednesday, saying its…
Jul 8, 2004Blue Cross, Gatekeeper Sued for Antitrust Violations
Geographic Limits on Physical Therapists Reduce Competition and Force Patients to Pay More
Jul 8, 2004
Insurance
Garamendi still not satisfied with healthcare merger plans
Ventura County Star "Simply requiring Anthem to pay $400 million is hush money to get the state to go away," Jerry Flanagan…
Jul 7, 2004
Insurance
Corporate reaction cool;
Kerry's choice likely to play better with consumersThe San Francisco Chronicle "This will clearly bring front and center the populist revolt against…
Jul 7, 2004
Insurance
Anthem talks disappointing, regulator says
California insurance commissioner lays out conditions for his OK of WellPoint takeover.Indianapolis Star Garamendi's news conference "feels to me like he's getting…
Jul 7, 2004
Insurance
California signs a deal with a company that specializes in exporting jobs to cheap overseas labor markets.
Critics say state-funded jobs could soon be shipped overseas.CNN-TV - LOU DOBBS TONIGHT The state of California, 35 million people, should not…
Jul 5, 2004
Insurance
Much ado, but tiny rebates;
Microsoft suit not a windfall for consumersStar Tribune (Minneapolis, MN) Another function of class-action law is to deter future wrongdoing, said Doug…
Jul 3, 2004
Insurance
Anthem, WellPoint resist $400 million payment;
California is considering making the firms donate to state health program in return for OK on merger.The Indianapolis Star "$400 million is…
Jul 3, 2004
Insurance
Arnold’s Campaign for Fantastic Jobs…Abroad?
"We have to make sure everyone in California has a fantastic job," Arnold proclaimed last year. He even made phone calls to…
Jul 2, 2004
Energy
State Senate Panel Backs Bill for Energy Revamp;
The measure would let investor-owned utilities build plants. Big users of electricity could buy on the wholesale market.Los Angeles Times Consumer groups…
Jun 30, 2004
Accountability
Schwarzenegger rewards employees with higher pay
Associated Press "For a governor who came to office saying he would cut the government, he seems to have really pumped it…
Jun 30, 2004
Energy
WellPoint Sale Moves Forward
Shareholders approve the deal with Anthem. But it needs an OK from California regulators.Los Angeles Times The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer…
Jun 29, 2004