Healthcare

Judges Urge ERISA Reform

January 19, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<!-- excerpt --><p>An unintended loophole in the federal ERISA law prevents patients with private-sector, employer-paid healthcare from recovering damages against HMOs that harm them. The 1987 Pilot life v. Dedeaux decision has tied the hands of federal judges when the</p>

External Review Alone Cannot Help Patients

January 17, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<!-- excerpt --><p>External review systems are the HMO industry's reform of choice, because they permit bureaucratic maneuvers by HMOs that an ill patient has neither the time nor capacity to defend against.</p>

Kuehl Renews Fight on HMO Arbitration

January 16, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Recorder</p> <p>SACRAMENTO -- Declaring that a crucial piece of legislation was left out of HMO reform last year, Assemblywoman Sheila Kuehl, D-Santa Monica, announced Thursday that she will carry a bill banning mandatory binding arbitration clauses in health care contra</p>

HMO Bill Would Ensure Right To Trial Over Disputes

January 16, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>SACRAMENTO -- Millions of Californians who are members of HMOs would be assured the right to a court hearing in disputes with their providers under legislation proposed by Assemblywoman Sheila Kuehl (D-Santa Monica). The Patients Right to Trial Act, p</p>

HMO 3rd Party Review System Fails CA

January 11, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<!-- excerpt --><p>In California, "independent" external review has proven to be anything but independent, while failing managed care patients.</p>

New Bill Asks For More Clout For Doctors

January 1, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Sacramento Bee</p>

HMO Patient Self-Defense Kit

January 1, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>From <i>Making a Killing: HMOs and the Threat to Your Health</i></h3>

HMO Patient Self-Defense Kit

January 1, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>From <i>Making a Killing</i> by Jamie Court and Francis Smith</h3>

Justices Block Bid To Skirt Arbitration In Malpractice Cases

December 3, 1999  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>State High Court Rules That Consumers Can Still Ask Courts To Bar Deceptive Practices But Otherwise Must Honor Agreements To Settle Disputes</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>SAN FRANCISCO -- The California Supreme Court ruled Thursday that medical malpractice victims who are bound by arbitration agreements can still go to court to obtain orders that prohibit health care providers from certain deceptive consumer practices.</p>

HMOs: ‘Feel Good’ Campaign Uses Docs

December 3, 1999  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">American Health Line</p> <p>In an attempt to combat the public's seemingly increasing negative perception of managed care companies, the Coalition of Affordable Quality Healthcare launched a television advertising campaign featuring doctors stumping for HMOs, the American Medical Ne</p>

Court Says Judges Can Ban Deceptive HMO Practices

December 2, 1999  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>SAN FRANCISCO -- In a victory for consumers, the state Supreme Court ruled Thursday that a patient can go to a judge, rather than an arbitrator, to ask for a ban on false advertising and other deceptive practices by an HMO. Lawyers said the ruling was</p>

QUOTE OF THE DAY

November 29, 1999  ·  Jamie Court

<p class="source">American Health Line</p> <p>"At least the industry now believes it has something to prove to the public rather than simply being interested in proving to Wall Street that it can limit costs and make a profit" -- HMO critic Jamie Court on a recently-released AAHP memo.</p>