Consumer Watchdog

California Commission Investigating Insurance Commissioner's Campaign Funding

By Timothy Darragh, BEST WIRE

May 31, 2022

https://news.ambest.com/NewsContent.aspx?refnum=241834&altsrc=23

SACRAMENTO, CA -- A California commission on campaigns and finance has opened a money laundering investigation into the campaign of Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, days before his fight to retain his office in the Democratic primary race.

California Wants To Force Insurers To Reward Homeowners For Fireproofing Homes

By Grace Gedye, CAL MATTERS

May 26, 2022

https://calmatters.org/economy/2022/05/fire-insurance-rules/

IN SUMMARY

New rules proposed by California’s Department of Insurance would require insurers to take homeowners’ efforts to reduce wildfire risk into account when setting premiums. But they would still allow non-renewals.

 

The Dilemma Of Property Insurance On The Hill

By David Jerome, IDYLWILD TOWN CRIER

May 25, 2022

The California Department of Insurance (CDI) is rolling out new regulations mandating that insurers in the state offer discounts to policyholders who undertake fire hazard mitigation and structure "hardening." The rules are intended to make decisions about rate and risk more transparent and more tuned to the specific risk of an individual property, as opposed to just the zone it is in.

Bill Requiring Refiners To Disclose Monthly Profits Passes Out OF California Senate

By Ian Taylor, BUNKERSPOT

May 25, 2022

https://www.bunkerspot.com/americas/56310-americas-bill-requiring-refin…

SB 1322 (Allen) – a bill that would require oil refiners to disclose their profits on a monthly basis – has passed out of the California Senate by a vote of 22 to 4 and will now be heard in the California Assembly.

California Gets New Rules Covering Medical Malpractice Payments. Here’s What Will Change

By Melody Gutierrez, LOS ANGELES TIMES

May 23, 2022

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-05-23/california-new-rule…

SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill Monday to raise the amount of money that patients can receive in medical malpractice cases, increasing pain and suffering payments for the first time since lawmakers placed a cap on monetary damages nearly five decades ago. 

California To Raise Medical Malpractice Caps After 47 Years

By Victoria Colliver, POLITICO PRO

May 23, 2022

Gavin Newsom on Monday signed a bill to update California's medical malpractice damage cap, ending a long-fought battle to adjust the pain-and-suffering limit that has remained unchanged for 47 years.

"After decades on negotiations, legislators, patient groups, and medical professionals have reached a consensus that protects patients and the stability of our health care system," Newsom said in a statement following the bill's signing, which was not public. 

KNX 1070 AM Los Angeles, CA: Consumer Advocates Applaud Newsom Signing Bill Raising Medical Malpractice Damages Cap in California

By Emily Valdez, KNX 1070 AM Los Angeles, CA

May 22, 2022

Click here to listen to the audio of this radio broadcast segment. 

Jamie Court, President of Consumer Watchdog, applauding Governor Newsom signing AB 35 which will raise the medical malpractice damages cap in California. 

Advocates and Victims' Families Look Forward To Gov. Newsom Signing Med Mal Cap Reform Bill

By Staff Reports, KCRW 89.9FM Santa Monica, CA

May 19, 2022

Click here to listen to the audio of this radio news broadcast segment.

Advocates and victims' families look forward to Governor Newsom signing AB 35 into law to raise the cap on medical malpractice damages in California after nearly 50 years. 

KCBS 740AM San Francisco, CA: Consumer Advocates and Victims' Families Approve of Raising of Med Mal Cap

By Staff Reports, KCBS 740AM San Francisco, CA

May 18, 2022

Click here to listen to the audio of this radio broadcast segment.

Consumer Advocates and victims' families approve of the passage of AB 35 which will raise the cap on medical malpractice damages for the first time in nearly 50 years. 

California Focus: Doubt Removed; Oil Refiners Gouging Us

Column by Tom Elias, CHICO ENTERRISE-RECORD

May 17, 2022

https://www.chicoer.com/2022/05/17/doubt-removed-oil-refiners-gouging-u…

There was some room for doubt back in February, when gasoline prices rose precipitously: Until the oil companies who refine most California gas unveiled their first-quarter profits, it would be impossible to be sure the spike stemmed from price gouging.

California Lawmakers Raise Awards For Malpractice Lawsuits

By Adam Beam, ASSOCIATED PRESS

May 13, 2022

https://apnews.com/article/health-lawsuits-california-legislature-gavin…

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The California Legislature on Thursday agreed to increase how much money people can win in medical malpractice lawsuits, resolving one of the thorniest disputes in state politics by raising a cap on damages for the first time in 47 years.

'Oil Refiners Exploited The Crisis': Report Shows Oil Refiners Are Gouging California Drivers

By Alexi Chidbachian, KTTV FOX TV-11 Los Angeles, CA

May 11, 2022

https://www.foxla.com/news/oil-refiners-exploited-the-crisis-report-sho…

LOS ANGELES - A recent investor profits report shows that California oil refiners are gouging Californians as they earn more than double the number of other refiners.

Column: Everyone Wins In Compromise To Increase Malpractice Payouts — Especially Victims

Column by George Skelton, LOS ANGELES TIMES

May 9, 2022

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-05-09/skelton-malpractice…

SACRAMENTO — It’s being called the Sacramento equivalent of the Berlin Wall falling. Or a Middle East peace pact.

Long-warring enemies have suddenly negotiated a historic compromise over how much money medical malpractice victims can be awarded for pain and suffering.

Western States Petroleum Association Spent $17.5 Million On CA Lobbying Over 3 Years, $952,367 In 2022

By Dan Bacher, DAILY KOS

May 6, 2022

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2022/5/6/2096432/-Western-States-Petro…

Deep regulatory capture by Big Oil is thriving in California, despite continual boasting by politicians that the state is the nation's "green" and "progressive" leader.

Editorial: Elect Levine To End Lara's Insurance Commissioner Scandals

California needs consumer protection, not partying, dining and cozying up with industry lobbyists and executives

By The MERCURY NEWS and EAST BAY TIMES Editorial Boards

April 28, 2022

https://www.mercurynews.com/2022/04/28/editorial-elect-marc-levine-to-e…

California needs a new insurance commissioner - one that voters can feel confident represents their interests.

ELECTION 2022: An Independent Regulator - Marc Levine Would Be An Insurance Commissioner For The People — And The Planet.

By The LOS ANGELES TIMES Editorial Board

April 28, 2022

https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2022-04-28/marc-levine-endorsemen…

Ricardo Lara’s first year as California insurance commissioner — the elected office charged with regulating the state’s $310-billion insurance industry — was an ethical disaster.

Victims of Medical Malpractice Could Win More In Damages Under New Deal Reached By California Lawmaker

By Bob Egelko, SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE

April 27, 2022

https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Victims-of-medical-malpract…

Consumer advocates, physicians and legislative leaders announced a long-sought agreement Wednesday to rewrite change a 1975 California law that placed a $250,000 limit on damages for pain and suffering caused by medical malpractice.

Sacramento Reaches MICRA Deal

By Victoria Colliver, POLITICO PRO

April 27, 2022

California’s nearly 50-year-old medical malpractice compensation limits may soon be increased as part of a deal announced Wednesday that could end a decadeslong fight that’s pitted doctors and insurance companies against patients and families seeking justice in the courtroom for wrongful injuries or deaths.

California’s Malpractice Payouts Would Rise Under A Deal To Avoid A Costly Ballot Fight

By Melody Gutierrez, LOS ANGELES TIMES

April 27, 2022

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-04-27/california-malpract…

SACRAMENTO — Cash payments in California medical malpractice cases would go up for the first time in nearly five decades under a deal between rival interest groups announced Wednesday that avoids a costly battle at the ballot box in November. 

US Gas Prices Are Over $4 A Gallon. These Oil CEOs Took Home Over $20 Million

Oil and gas CEOs received nearly $45m more in combined total compensation in 2021 compared to 2020 amid a spike in prices

By Iffah Kitchlew, THE GUARDIAN UK

April 25, 2022

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/apr/25/us-gas-prices-oil-c…

While gas prices soar for consumers, one group of people isn’t faring so badly.

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