Healthcare

California Tilts Power Toward Patients

September 24, 1999  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Christian Science Monitor</p> <p>In an ambitious health-care reform package expected to spur similar changes nationwide, California will soon offer medical consumers a wide range of new benefits - including access to second medical opinions and the right to sue health-maintenance organiz</p>

Ambitious Plan to Reform HMOs Nears Completion

September 10, 1999  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Legislature: Measures Would Ease Access to Second Opinions and Grant New Power to Appeal Decisions, As Well As Mandate Coverage for Severe Mental Illnesses.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>SACRAMENTO, CA -- In a day of frantic lawmaking that could dramatically affect the health care of virtually every Californian, legislators Thursday completed most of an ambitious state plan to reform managed care.</p>

State Close to Allowing Suits Against HMOS

September 9, 1999  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>SACRAMENTO -- The first of long-promised reforms for the troubled managed health care industry overwhelmingly cleared the Assembly on Wednesday, one that would enable 14 million Californians to sue their health care providers for damages.</p>

California Legislature OKs HMO Bill

September 9, 1999  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>SACRAMENTO -- Californians would gain the right to sue their health insurers and new insurance benefits under measures approved by the Legislature Thursday and sent to the governor. The right to sue, one of the most contentious proposals, won Senate appr</p>

Assembly backs giving consumers right to sue HMOs for damages

September 8, 1999  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>Patients who suffer substantial harm from a health insurer's decision to delay or deny treatment would gain the right to sue under a bill backed Wednesday by the Assembly.</p>

Newly Released List of Managed Care Complaints Stirs Debate

August 30, 1999  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>SACRAMENTO -- The findings are sure to spark a political firefight. New state figures show that more than 23.5 million people are enrolled in California's managed health care plans, but only a scant few - a mere nine-thousandths of a single percent -</p>

Reforming HMOs while deforming our beleaguered tort system

August 25, 1999  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The San Diego Union-Tribune</p> <p>Last week, the HMO industry launched another multimillion-dollar advertising blitz to stop a bipartisan congressional compromise for HMO patients' rights.</p>

Protection plan for HMO users unveiled

August 19, 1999  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Patients' rights would include independent review when care is denied.</h3><p class="source">THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER</p> <p>Gov. Gray Davis on Wednesday outlined a sweeping proposal to overhaul the way managed-care health plans do business in California.</p>

Davis urges new patients’ rights

August 19, 1999  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The San Diego Union-Tribune</p> <p>SACRAMENTO -- Gov. Gray Davis yesterday proposed a vast new set of rights for managed-care patients, including second opinions, an independent system for challenging HMO decisions and more help investigating complaints from a new consumer-friendly agency.</p>

DAVIS OUTLINES PLATFORM ON HMO REFORM

August 19, 1999  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>PROPOSALS INCLUDE GIVING PATIENTS LIMITED ABILITY TO SUE</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Setting the terms of engagement on health care reform, Gov. Gray Davis on Wednesday outlined what he would accept in new HMO regulation, including letting patients sue their health plans and submit disputed medical decisions to independent reviewers.</p>

Letter Asks Gov. Davis To Meet With People Harmed By Their HMO

August 6, 1999  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>SACRAMENTO -- A group of HMO patients asked Gov. Gray Davis on Friday to meet with them to discuss their concerns about managed-care legislation. Last month, a group of business and labor leaders met with Davis behind closed doors to discuss proposed</p>

Health Insurer to Drop Medicare HMO Services in Parts of Colorado

July 2, 1999  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>California and Northeastern states</h3><p class="source">Associated Press State & Local Wire</p> <p>Foundation Health Systems Inc. said Thursday that it will drop health maintenance organization coverage for nearly 16,000 Medicare recipients in parts of the West and Northeast where federal reimbursements don't cover the cost of services.</p>