Consumer Watchdog

Insurance

Can Arnold Say 103?

California's Gov is no friend of regulation, but it looks like Proposition 103-style insurance premium regulation may be the answer to legislative…

Mar 24, 2004

Energy

Socal Ed Scopes Independent Customer Survey

THE ELECTRICITY DAILY Douglas Heller, executive director of watchdog group FTCR, told The Los Angeles Times, "Is Southern California Edison's service so…

Mar 22, 2004

Insurance

Governor’s team for workers’ comp drive is battle-tested;

Insiders who marshaled Props. 57-58 support are ready if issue goes to ballot.The Orange County Register (California) Critics, such as Doug Heller…

Mar 22, 2004

Insurance

Governor stops insurers’ donations

Sacramento Bee The Santa Monica-based FTCR said Schwarzenegger's hiatus from accepting workers' compensation insurance contributions only pays lip service to his campaign…

Mar 20, 2004

Insurance

Getting insurance a new buying barrier

The Washington Times Critics and watchdog groups, including the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, claim that the losses are compounded by…

Mar 19, 2004

Blue Cross-Funded Foundation Finds Health Insurance Rate Regulation Lowers Premiums;

Rand Study Confirms CA Legislation Would "Limit Premium Growth In Short Run" "Even HMO partisans cannot ignore the fact the health care…

Mar 18, 2004

Insurance

Plan to Cut Drug Prices Proposed;

L.A. councilman suggests city residents could join consortium to buy medicine in bulk.Los Angeles Times The proposal would create a nonprofit consortium…

Mar 18, 2004

Insurance

Lobbyist’s ties to governor queried again

San Jose Mercury News (California) "It's becoming clear that there is not the fire wall between Mike Murphy as political consultant for…

Mar 18, 2004

Healthcare

LA councilman and consumer group examining plans to lower drug costs for locals

San Jose Mercury News (California) One possible model would establish a nonprofit entity to buy the drugs in large quantities from independent…

Mar 18, 2004

Insurance

Fraud and Decption in Workers’ Comp Battle

Arnold has been campaigning against fraud and deception in the workers compensation system, but there's new deception in his campaign to change…

Mar 18, 2004

Insurance

Schwarzenegger appoints former assemblywoman to head DCA

Associated Press Doug Heller, executive director of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, said Zettel didn't belong in the consumer protection…

Mar 17, 2004

Energy

PUC report pans power deregulation

Copley News Service "It sends a warning that you cannot dive headfirst into deregulation again," said Doug Heller with FTCR. "California would…

Mar 17, 2004

Insurance

HEALTH PREMIUMS SOAR;

EMPLOYERS PASS ON MORE OF COST TO WORKERSThe Daily News of Los Angeles "Premiums keep going up because of the huge profits…

Mar 17, 2004

Insurance

Ex-Lawmaker Named to Head Consumer Affairs Department

Los Angeles Times "The obligation of the Department of Consumer Affairs is to protect consumers. And if you have no record of…

Mar 17, 2004

Insurance

Cases against California lawmakers fail to get equal attention

Sacramento Bee The selective attitude about delving into allegations of misconduct is being demonstrated anew in two other cases.

Mar 17, 2004

Energy

Southern California Edison is investigated for doctoring customer service surveys

Minnesota Public Radio - Marketplace Suppose you did a customer service survey and only polled your co-workers and friends? Or erased the…

Mar 16, 2004

Energy

How to Look Good: Survey Yourself

Los Angeles Times "Is Southern California Edison's service so bad that employees are cooking the books in order to make things look…

Mar 16, 2004

Columbia Journalism Review Gives Newsweek and Phillip K. Howard A “DART” for Failing to Disclose Conflict of Interest in “Lawsuit Hell” Cover Story

In a letter to Newsweek provided to Columbia Journalism Review, the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights (FTCR) identified the three lawsuits,…

Mar 15, 2004