Consumer 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
Hitch in Workers’ Comp Reform;
State legislators debate whether imposing rate caps on premiums would relieve employers or drive away insurers.Los Angeles Times California deregulated workers' compensation…
Apr 5, 2004Governor’s evolving rules on donors
SOME OK, OTHERS NOT: SCHWARZENEGGER INSISTS HE CAN'T BE BOUGHTThe San Jose Mercury News In the eight months since he declared his…
Apr 5, 2004Gearing up for a discount drug card;
The new Medicare program begins in June. Deciding which card to choose will take analysis, guesswork -- and luck.Los Angeles Times The…
Apr 5, 2004Doctors’ Hospital Bids Raise Ethical Worries;
As physicians seek to buy Tenet holdings, critics wonder whether profit would come before patients.Los Angeles Times "The concern is that they…
Apr 5, 2004Lawyer tapped to run state’s regulatory office
Contra Costa Times (California) Doug Heller, of the Santa Monica-based FTCR, which has criticized Schwarzenegger's freeze of certain state regulations, expressed concerns…
Apr 4, 2004COMMERCIAL BREAK:
A COMPANY PROFITS FROM TAKING KIDS ON FIELD TRIPS TO RETAIL OUTLETS. BUT WHAT ARE THEY LEARNING?The Boston Globe Coming to a…
Apr 4, 2004Study Finds Negligent Care Likelier in Outpatient Settings
Connecticut Post (Bridgeport, CT) Jamie Court, president of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights in Santa Monica, Calif., isn't surprised that…
Apr 3, 2004To lower drug costs, strike while iron’s hot
The Californian (Salinas, CA) Two bills before the Assembly that would place affordable prescription drugs within the reach of California consumers and…
Apr 2, 2004OPINION: Auto insurance pricing that makes sense to all? Good luck
San Gabriel Valley Tribune (California) Consumer groups including the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, whose president Harvey Rosenfield wrote and sponsored…
Apr 2, 2004Governor’s pitches take hit
Schwarzenegger says he's selling state; critics say he's promoting big donorsSacramento Bee Doug Heller, advocate with FTCR, said he understands Schwarzenegger's desire…
Apr 2, 2004The Well-Oiled Deal: Taking away local control of refineries is a family matter
A sickening odor of gasoline hung along Wilmington’s waterfront as people filed out of last week’s meeting with California Energy Commission officials…
Apr 1, 2004Garamendi, activists assail bid to deregulate insurance
Foundation says Republican congressman's proposal would "eviscerate Proposition 103"Oakland Tribune California consumer activists and the state's insurance commissioner criticized a Republican proposal…
Apr 1, 2004Pay for Placement
Once again Arnold will be touting his message of job growth for California. And once again, the backdrop will be the corporate…
Apr 1, 2004Consumer Groups, Insurance Commissioner Denounce Federal Attack on California’s Landmark Insurance Reform Prop 103
Insurance Deregulation Proposal Would Cost Consumers Billions, Weaken Consumer Protection Laws Consumer groups nationwide condemned a Congressional proposal to gut state insurance…
Mar 31, 2004The Litiginator
Arnold's war on litigation -- which includes an effort to help his car dealer and insurance company donors gut the state's Unfair…
Mar 31, 2004