Consumer Watchdog

State HMOs Increase Consumer Premiums Up to 10-Times the Actual Cost of Care

Governor Davis Has Been MIA on Controlling Health Care Costs; Today's State of the State Address Is An Important Test of Leadership…

Jan 8, 2003

State Auditor Should Investigate State of the State

Consumer Group Calls for Audit of Governor's Use of Private Lobbyists to Write Public Policy Gov. Davis has given power to craft…

Jan 8, 2003

FTCR’s Letter to Senator Burton RE: Gov. Davis Using Lobbyists As Policy Advisors

Gov. Davis has given power to craft his current budget proposal to Phil Isenberg and Patrick Johnston, two lobbyists who represent several…

Jan 8, 2003

FTCR’s Letter to Gov. Davis RE: Davis’ Use of Lobbyists As Policy Advisors

Phil Isenberg and Patrick Johnston, two lobbyists who represent several of the most influential special interests in California, should be barred immediately…

Jan 8, 2003

Healthcare

Malpractice speaker left out drug record

Charleston Gazette An Elkins doctor who testified to Congress last summer about his high medical malpractice rates didn't mention his conviction for…

Jan 8, 2003

Energy

Davis backs lobbyists’ budget role

"I STAND BEHIND EVERY DECISION"The San Jose Mercury News Gov. Gray Davis on Tuesday defended his decision to allow prominent lobbyists to…

Jan 8, 2003

West Virginia Strikers’ Representative Lied to Congress

Physician's Criminal Past, Not Innocent Victims, Cause of Malpractice Premium Increases ¬W?4Virginia physicians strike, the doctor that represented them before Congress in…

Jan 7, 2003

Insurance

Op-ed: Insurance industry gambled our money and lost

Houston Chronicle Insurance on your car or home is supposed to provide some security that if something goes wrong, it can't go…

Jan 7, 2003

Insurance

Background of new Senate majority leader, Bill Frist of Tennessee

National Public Radio (NPR) Morning Edition Frist projects a more modern image of the South and a more moderate image of his…

Jan 7, 2003

Cal. Medical Malpractice Caps Don’t Hold Down Doctors’ Premiums, According to Cal. Doctor

Doctors Want No-Fault System for No Accountability "Punishing victims for insurers' price-gouging is a slippery slope that will lead, if the insurance…

Jan 6, 2003

Energy

Davis Ousts Lynch, Names Mike Peevey to Run CPUC

THE ELECTRICITY DAILY The appointment drew a raspberry from consumer advocate Doug Heller of the Foundation for Taxpayer & Consumer Rights.

Jan 6, 2003

Energy

CONSUMER GROUPS WARY OF GOV. DAVIS’ NAMING EX-UTILITY CHIEF TO HEAD PUC

Electric Utilities Week/Power Markets Week California Gov. Gray Davis' Dec. 31 replacement of state Public Utilities Commission President Loretta Lynch with Commissioner…

Jan 6, 2003

Insurance

PEACE OF MIND COSTS MORE;

INSURANCE PREMIUMS RISE AT RECORD RATE TO COVER HUGE PAYOUTSThe Daily Press Homeowners in Virginia are experiencing the steepest increases ever in…

Jan 5, 2003

Energy

California PUC chief criticized;

Some say shake-up favors power firmsThe Houston Chronicle The California regulatory commission that blamed the state's energy crisis on Enron Corp. and…

Jan 4, 2003

Insurance

Activists slam Davis for letting two lobbyists help him draft budget

The San Jose Mercury News The special access given to Phil Isenberg and Patrick Johnston sparked criticism from consumer activists and political…

Jan 4, 2003

Energy

Governor demotes Lynch in CPUC shake-up

Gas Daily The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights already has called for the California state Senate to reject Peevey's appointment.

Jan 3, 2003

Energy

Former Utility Exec To Lead CPUC

Energy Daily California Gov. Gray Davis, in a public snub of a state official who has not always followed his wishes, announced…

Jan 3, 2003

Healthcare

DOCTORS PRACTICE UNDER PRESSURE;

MALPRACTICE COSTS STIFLING, SOME SAYThe Hartford Courant A walkout by West Virginia surgeons will increase pressure this year on state legislatures and…

Jan 3, 2003