Insurance
Senator blasts colleagues
Contra Costa Times (California) The inquiry on Senator Don Perata was spurred by a letter from the Santa Monica-based FTCR. The consumer…
Feb 28, 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
Privacy
Governor OKs loan conversion
He agrees to give up $4.5 million rather than let campaign donors cover it.Sacramento Bee "It's a good thing that he listened…
Feb 28, 2004
Privacy
Proposed health care mega-merger gets OK from nation’s regulators
The Daily News of Los Angeles The FTC's decision "is more bad news for patients," said Jerry Flanagan, health care reform advocate…
Feb 27, 2004
Privacy
Hey Voters, Don’t Worry, Be Happy!
The Los Angeles Times "Are we such a malleable electorate that a celebrity gets a bunch of special interests to give him…
Feb 27, 2004
Insurance
A Remedy for Shakedowns
The Los Angeles Times Chamber of Commerce President Allan Zaremberg maintains that the initiative would "stop these shakedown lawsuits before they happen."…
Feb 27, 2004
Privacy
Show Us the Money
Arnold's disclosure reports show $3/4 million in contributions over the last two days while the California governor was on his East Coast…
Feb 27, 2004
Insurance
Johnson puts starpower behind debtless ‘Magic’ money cards
San Bernardino Sun (California) With many underserved communities dependent on check-cashing stores for their banking needs, prepaid debit cards are a viable…
Feb 25, 2004
Healthcare
BOOK REVIEW; An economist prescribes ‘Strong Medicine’;
The Los Angeles Times The problem is that Cutler wrote the book for the system's engineers, not for its travelers. A player…
Feb 25, 2004
Privacy
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s first 100 days in office
National Public Radio (NPR) Morning Edition Mr. DOUG HELLER (Foundation for Taxpayer & Consumer Rights): He's taking money from insurance companies, HMOs,…
Feb 24, 2004
Privacy
Ethical lapse
Governor's high-priced event is wrong tacticThe San Diego Union-Tribune The worthy cause of resolving California's budget crisis should not be compromised by…
Feb 24, 2004
Insurance
Bill would make it easier to drop policyholders
Charleston Gazette (West Virginia) Insurance rates could actually increase if the bill passes, said Doug Heller, a consumer advocate with FTCR. "If…
Feb 24, 2004
Insurance
17200 proponents take fight to corporate doorstep
The Recorder "It's seen as a lawyers versus the corporations issue. It's really... public interest versus big corporations," said Jamie Court, who…
Feb 24, 2004
Insurance
The Arnold Index
On Meet the Press yesterday, Arnold advised President Bush about giving and getting in politics: "You know, what you would do for…
Feb 24, 2004Frist Malpractice Legislation Boon For Family’s Hospitals,
Conflict Requires Majority Leader's Immediate Recusal
Feb 23, 2004
Healthcare
Tenet sale may lead to mandate of incentives for buyers
Los Angeles Business Journal "The likely people who will take over these hospitals are non-profits. I am interested in what is the…
Feb 23, 2004
Insurance
Arnold’s first 100 days win praise;
4 goals complete, others under wayThe Daily News of Los Angeles "Schwarzenegger has been fund raising even faster than Gov. Gray Davis,…
Feb 22, 2004
Energy
“Governator” Schwarzenegger passes 100 days
Agence France Presse "This really outpaces Gray Davis," said Carmen Balber of FTCR, which operates the ArnoldWatch website. "He has gone hat…
Feb 22, 2004