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
RUNNING ON EMPTY;
HOPE DIM FOR LOWER GAS PRICESThe Daily News of Los Angeles Also on the supply side, the Santa Monica-based Foundation for Taxpayer…
Mar 12, 2004House hears testimony on malpractice bill
Lexington Herald Leader (Kentucky) Harvey Rosenfield testified that a different bill, Proposition 103, and not MICRA, was responsible for stabilizing malpractice premiums…
Mar 12, 2004Consumers Can Sue Insurers Over Rates, Appeals Court Says
The decision in a case filed against a Mercury General unit upholds a key part of the auto reform Proposition 103.
Mar 12, 2004On the Dole
During his State of the State speech, Governor Schwarzenegger reminded the legislature that if he could sell the movie Red Sonja he…
Mar 12, 2004Gasoline Prices: a Case of Cheating, Not Competing;
Sound familiar? Think back to the electricity crisis. If the recent sticker shock at the gasoline pump feels familiar, that's because it…
Mar 11, 2004Public Outcry Shuts Down Patient Blacklist Website
Groups Call on Medical Associations to Join Efforts to Reduce Medical Mistakes and Lower Physicians' Insurance Rates The website, which published a…
Mar 11, 2004Schwarzenegger names donors, supporters to Calif jobs panel
Associated Press The commission "creates a huge potential for conflicts of interest across the board," said Carmen Balber of FTCR, a consumer…
Mar 11, 2004County goes to bat for rural drivers
Supervisors say insurance rates go up under planTulare Advance-Register (Tulare, CA) A petition before Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi has asked that an…
Mar 11, 2004Commentary: Gasoline Prices: a Case of Cheating, Not Competing;
Sound familiar? Think back to the electricity crisis.The Los Angeles Times The recent 20-cent-per-gallon increase in California -- compared with just a…
Mar 11, 2004Web sites that blacklist patients who have filed medical malpractice lawsuits
National Public Radio (NPR) - Talk of the Nation Jamie Court (FTCR): "If someone was an innocent victim of medical negligence and…
Mar 10, 2004Kaiser campaign donation chided
Oakland Tribune "Kaiser has invested$100,000 of our premium dollars into removing consumer rights and accountability," said Jerry Flanagan of the Foundation for…
Mar 10, 2004Insurance rates for vehicles discussed
Residents at a Fresno hearing voice concerns about increases.Fresno Bee (California) Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi said "This system is unfair. You ask…
Mar 10, 2004Car Consumers Lose a Champion
In his speeches, Arnold extolls the Golden Age of California. However, his actions as governor - including a freeze on all pending…
Mar 10, 2004Teflon Don has history of fines over finances
The San Francisco Chronicle He is the target of a state Senate ethics probe that stems from a complaint that he violated…
Mar 8, 2004Schwarzenegger flexes his fund-raising muscles
The San Francisco Chronicle As for individual contributors, a list provided to us by the nonpartisan Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights…
Mar 7, 2004NUMBER OF BOGUS HEALTH INSURANCE ISSUERS PROLIFERATING
The Daily News of Los Angeles "The problem is that the rise in unlicensed plans is a symptom of the affordability crisis…
Mar 7, 2004Governor signs on with two magazines Schwarzenegger won’t do muchheavy lifting, but extra job spurs criticism.
Sacramento Bee One critic of Schwarzenegger's political fund-raising activities called it "just inappropriate for the governor to take another job." "Doesn't the…
Mar 6, 2004