KNX 1070 AM LA: Insurers On The Hook For Billions More In CA Auto Insurance Refunds
By Craig Fiegener, KNX 1070 AM Los Angeles, CA
July 1, 2021
Click here to listen to the audio of this radio broadcast segment.
Carmen Balber with Consumer Watchdog explains how insurance companies still owe Californians refunds due to the pandemic.
Auto Insurers Raking In Huge Sum At Drivers’ Expense - Report
By Lyle Adriano, INSURANCE BUSINESS AMERICA
June 30, 2021
https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/us/news/breaking-news/auto-insurer…
Despite the majority of Californians driving less last year, most auto insurance companies operating in the state continued to charge pre-pandemic rates, managing to collect a windfall of about $5.5 billion, new analysis by Consumer Watchdog has found.
Should Homeowners Pay For Climate Change?
By Miranda Green, CALMATTERS
June 30, 2021
https://calmatters.org/economy/2021/06/california-wildfire-insurance-cl…
In hard-hit Napa Valley, which has burned multiple times this last decade, successful winemakers and longtime residents are weighing their options to rebuild or move out entirely simply by looking at their property insurance policies.
KNX 1070 AM LA: Bloom's Bill Bad for Recycling Bottles and Cans
By Emily Valdes, KNX 1070 AM Los Angeles, CA
June 29, 2021
Click here to listen to the audio of this radio broadcast segment.
Consumer Watchdog's Jamie Court explains how West LA's Richard Bloom has a bill in the state Assembly that is bad for consumers trying to recycle their bottles and cans.
KCBS AM SF, CA: Insurers Owe Californians More Covid Refunds
By Mike DeWald, KCBS AM, San Francisco, CA
June 29, 2021
Click here to listen to the audio of this radio broadcast segment.
Consumer Watchdog's Carmen Balber explains how insurance companies have not fully refund the amount they are legally required to return to consumers after the Covid pandemic.
Consumer Report Claims Insurers Overcharged California Motorists $5.5B During First Year of Pandemic
By Staff Reporters, INSURANCE JOURNAL
June 29, 2021
https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/west/2021/06/29/620665.htm
Most California insurance companies continued to charge pre-pandemic auto insurance rates despite a vast majority of Californians driving far less last year, according to an analysis by Consumer Watchdog on Tuesday.
The report shows auto insurers reaped “a windfall of about $5.5 billion.”
Doctors’ Lobby Scores ‘Major Victory’ on Bill to Hold Physicians Accountable
By Samantha Young, CALIFORNIA HEALTHLINE
June 25, 2021
https://californiahealthline.org/news/article/doctors-lobby-scores-majo…
SACRAMENTO — The board that licenses and disciplines doctors in California is failing to hold bad actors accountable, endangering patients in the process.
We Pay CRV, But Where Can We Get Our Money Back?
By Zarina Khairzada, SPECTRUM NEWS 1 LA
June 22, 2021
https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/la-west/news/2021/06/22/crv-costs-turn-int…
LOS ANGELES — Dozens of bags filled with plastic, glass and aluminum beverage containers have been piling up in Nancy Hannickel’s backyard in West Los Angeles.
Hannickel is not happy about it and can’t find somewhere to get the full CRV refund that had been paid for them.
California Wildfire Victims Face Their Toughest Foe: Insurance Companies
By Dale Kasler, SACRAMENTO BEE
June 21, 2021
https://www.sacbee.com/article251430658.html
They held a potluck picnic on Sunnyside Road a few weeks ago. It was more like group therapy with a side of chicken wings.
How Much Fracking Is There In California? Newsom, State Regulators Can’t Tell
By Colby Bermel, POLITICO
June 17, 2021
https://www.politico.com/states/california/story/2021/06/17/how-much-fr…
SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom has repeatedly said that fracking accounts for less than 2 percent of California oil production, but he appears to have vastly underestimated its use as the state prepares to ban the technique by 2024.
California “Extreme Heat” Reinsurance Pool, Cat Model Pivot Pushed
Progressive consumer groups are already pushing back on catastrophe model recommendations.
By Staff Writers, RISK MARKET NEWS
June 14, 2021
https://www.riskmarketnews.com/california-extreme-heat-reinsurance-pool…
Bottle Deposit Bill
By Pat Thurston, KGO 810 AM San Francisco, CA
June 14, 2021
Click here to listen to Consumer Watchdog's President and Chairman, Jaime Court join Pat Thurston to discuss SB 38 the Bottle Deposit Bill: https://omny.fm/shows/the-pat-thurston-show/june-14-2021-bottle-deposit-bill#description
California Insurance Commissioner’s Plan for Managing Climate Change Risks Draws Criticism
By JW August, TIMES OF SAN DIEGO
June 11, 2021
https://timesofsandiego.com/politics/2021/06/11/california-insurance-co…
Given a time of fast-moving climate change, wouldn’t you like to know what the chances are of your house being in the path of a wildfire?
Medical Negligence Caps Harm Women of Color
WOMEN OF COLOR are disproportionately harmed by California’s outdated limits on compensation for patients injured by medical negligence. Systemic inequities in our health care system mean women of color receive lower quality health care and contend with worse health outcomes. Then the cap deprives them of justice when they seek answers and accountability.
Is This Medical Board Headed for a Shake Up?
By Cheryl Clark, MEDPAGE TODAY
June 4, 2021
https://www.medpagetoday.com/special-reports/exclusives/92924?xid=fb_o&…
The agency that licenses 152,000 California physicians is facing a crisis of public confidence, with the voices of several lawmakers joining those of angry patients who say it shields bad doctors far too often.
Tensions Mount Over Bill To Revamp The Medical Board of California
By Victoria Colliver, POLITICO PRO
June 2, 2021
Patient advocates lambasted last-minute amendments made to a bill concerning the Medical Board of California, including the gutting of a provision to remake the panel with a public-member majority.
What happened: An earlier version of CA SB806 (21R), by Sen. Richard Roth (D-Riverside), increased the size of the board from 15 to 17 members, allowing for eight physicians and nine public representatives. But amendments made late last week eliminated that proposal from the bill.
Maryland and New Mexico Launch Hotlines So People Can Report If They've Been Charged For Shots That Are Supposed To Be Free
By Mansur Shaheen, THE DAILY MAIL UK
May 28, 2021
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-9631213/Maryland-New-Mexico-…
States are setting up hotlines amid reports that some Americans are being charged for the COVID-19 vaccine, which is supposed to be free.
If COVID-19 Vaccines Are Free, Why Are Some People Getting Bills?
The Department of Health and Human Services said to report any vaccine fees.
By Adisa Hargett-Robinson, ABC NEWS
May 28, 2021
https://abcnews.go.com/Health/covid-19-vaccines-free-people-bills/story…
KNX 1070 AM LA: California's Bottle and Can Redemption System Must Be Reformed
By Staff Reporters, KNX 1070 AM LA
May 27, 2021
Click here to listen to the audio of this radio news broadcast segment.
Consumer Watchdog's Jamie Court explains why Californian's are demanding changes to the state's broken bottle and can redemption system.
Undercover Video Shows Consumers Not Being Reimbursed For Recycling Bottles, Cans
By CBSLA Staff, KCBS TV-2 LA
May 26, 2021
https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2021/05/26/bottles-cans-recycling-crv/
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) – Consumers in California pay five or ten cent deposits for almost every beverage in a bottle or can, but new reports show many are not getting their money back at recycling centers.
Opinion: California Air Board Should Force Tesla Divestment Of Bitcoin
Opinion By Jamie Court for THE MERCURY NEWS
May 25, 2021
https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/05/25/opinion-california-air-board-sho…
When Elon Musk joked on Saturday Night Live that cryptocurrency was a “hustle,” he unwittingly summed up the strategy by which Tesla has fleeced the state of California.
Letter To The Editor: Dysfunctional System
Letter to the Editor
San Francisco Chronicle
May 22, 2021 Saturday
Dysfunctional System
Regarding "How California can redeem bottle recycling" (Editorial, May 19): Recycling means creating convenient redemption, not subsidizing waste haulers.
Biden, Unlike Trump, Thinks Businesses Shouldn’t Be Free To Abuse Consumers
By David Lazarus, LOS ANGELES TIMES
May 21, 2021
https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2021-05-21/column-rohit-chopra-c…
Rohit Chopra is expected to receive the U.S. Senate’s blessing any day now to become the new head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. His job will be to restore credibility to a watchdog agency that was largely sidelined during the Trump administration.
CA Lawmaker Proposes Bill To Make Getting A CRV Refund Easier For Recyclers
By Staff Reporters, KPIX CBS TV-5 San Francisco, CA
May 3, 2021
https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2021/05/03/ca-lawmaker-proposes-bill-…
SAN FRANCISCO (KPIX) — It’s been a year since KPIX first uncovered systemic troubles with California’s bottle and can recycling program. During the pandemic things just got worse. Now lawmakers are looking for a fix.
7 On Your Side's Michael Finney Celebrates 30 Years With ABC7 News
By Simone Chavoor, KGO ABC TV-7 San Francisco, CA
April 29, 2021
https://abc7news.com/michael-finney-7-on-your-side-seven-day/10561200/
San Francisco Mayor London Breed marked the occasion by issuing a proclamation declaring April 29 "Michael Finney Day" in the the City and County of San Francisco.
Charged For Your Free COVID Vaccine? Federal Gov't Wants You To Report It
By Samantha Chatman, WLS ABC TV-7 Chicago, IL
April 29, 2021
https://abc7chicago.com/health/charged-for-a-free-covid-vaccine-feds-wa…
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Some people are frustrated after they said they were charged for their COVID-19 vaccines. The federal government has made it clear that these shots are 100% free to consumers. So why are people still being billed?
Frack Reax
By Andrew Sheeler, SACRAMENTO BEE - CAPITOL ALERT
April 26, 2021
https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article25…
California Gov. Gavin Newsom made big waves on Friday when he announced plans for the state to phase out fracking by 2024, and oil drilling by 2045.
Climate Activists Applaud Gov. Newsom's Fracking Ban But Caution It Still A ‘Half-Measure’
By Staff Reporters, PRESS TV
April 24, 2021
https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2021/04/24/650179/Climate-change-Califor…
Climate action advocates have cautiously praised California Governor Gavin Newsom's plan to ban hydraulic fracturing by 2024, but stressed that the move is still a half-measure as it allows continued oil drilling for the next two-and-a-half years.
Should San Jose Require Nonprofits To Disclose Lobbying?
By Lloyd Alaban, SAN JOSE SPOTLIGHT
April 23, 2021
https://sanjosespotlight.com/should-san-jose-require-nonprofits-to-disc…
More than 50 individuals, companies and advocacy groups legally lobby San Jose each year about subjects including Google developments and cannabis.
California's New Fossil Fuel Pledge 'Significant' But Still a 'Half-Measure,' Say Climate Advocates
By Kenny Stencil and Jessica Corbett , COMMON DREAMS
April 23, 2021
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/04/23/californias-new-fossil-fue…
Climate campaigners on Friday cautiously applauded California Gov. Gavin Newsom's moves to cut off new hydraulic fracturing permits by 2024 and evaluate phasing out oil production by 2045, while also stressing that the timeline still needs to be accelerated.
California Governor Tells Top Oil Regulator To Phase Out New Fracking By 2024
By Janet Wilson, THE PALM SPRINGS DESERT SUN
April 23, 2021
https://www.desertsun.com/story/news/environment/2021/04/23/california-…
California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday directed the state's top oil regulator, the Geologic Energy Management Division, to immediately begin crafting a regulation to halt new hydraulic fracturing permits by 2024.
Two Years Since Childbirth Tragedy By Alleged Medical Negligence
By Staff Reporters, KGET NBC TV-17 Bakersfield, CA
April 19, 2021
https://www.kget.com/news/local-news/two-years-since-childbirth-tragedy…
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Today marks two years since the death of Demi Dominguez and her son Malakhi De Leon.
No Initiatives On California Recall Ballot, Campaigns Say
By Jeremy B. White, Debra Kahn, POLITICO PRO
April 8, 2021
Pending state ballot initiatives will go before voters in 2022 as planned rather than during a likely 2021 recall election, according to campaign representatives who have heard from elections officials.
Pressure Intensifies On Auto Insurers To Provide Bigger Refunds
By Mark Rosanes, INSURANCE BUSINESS
March 31, 2021
https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/us/news/commercial-auto/pressure-i…
Auto insurance providers are facing mounting pressure from clients and various consumer groups, who are demanding bigger refunds amid a significant reduction in claims during the pandemic, according to a Forbes report.
Scrutiny Intensifies Over Auto Insurance Pandemic Refunds
By John Egan and Jason Metz, FORBES
March 30, 2021
https://www.forbes.com/advisor/car-insurance/pandemic-refunds-criticize…
Auto insurance companies have been criticized for their refunds to customers that were based on the reduction in driving (and claims) during the pandemic. Now they’re feeling even more heat over their handling of auto insurance premiums.
Plenty To Blame for California's High Gas Prices
Here's why California gas prices are so high compared to other states
By Chase DiFeliciantonio, SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
March 27, 2021
https://www.sfchronicle.com/local/article/Here-s-why-California-gas-pri…
