Healthcare

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>

Merger Hurts Patients

June 28, 1999  ·  Jamie Court

<h3>Opinion Editorial by Jamie Court</h3><p class="source">USA TODAY</p> <p>The Justice Department's approval last week of the Aetna-Prudential merger shows that Justice is indeed blind. The new Aetna will provide health care for one in every 11 Americans and will have the bulk to downsize services, hike prices and leverage docto</p>

U.S. Approves Deal For Huge Company For Managed Care

June 22, 1999  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The New York Times</p> <p>Over the objections of doctors groups and consumer advocates, the Federal Government today approved the $1 billion acquisition of Prudential Health Care by Aetna Inc., which will create the nation's biggest managed care company.</p>

Senate, Assembly OK Bills Letting Patients Sue HMOs

June 2, 1999  ·  Jamie Court

<p class="source">Associated Press State & Local Wire</p> <p>Patients denied medically necessary treatment by their HMOs could sue the managed-care plans for damages under landmark legislation backed Wednesday by the California Legislature.</p>

Health Hazards

May 25, 1999  ·  Jamie Court

<h3>Critics Say 'Little HMOs' Bear More Risk Than They Can Afford</h3><p class="source">San Diego Union-Tribune</p> <p>One consumer advocate calls them "HMOitos," using the Spanish diminutive to characterize them as little HMOs. Despite the cutesy connotation, the advocate says there's nothing endearing about the growing number of mini-HMOs.</p>

Rx For Health Care: Proposed HMO Reforms Should Include Legal Liability

May 3, 1999  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Opinion Editorial of San Jose Mercury News</h3><p class="source">San Jose Mercury News</p> <p>Eager to polish their image, California's health management organizations and insurers of managed care announced a package of reforms last Thursday for the Legislature's consideration. These changes would be good, but they don't go far enough.</p>

U.S. Scrutinizing Aetna Proposal to Buy Prudential Unit

April 30, 1999  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The New York Times</p> <p>Doctors and consumer advocates have flooded the Justice Department with evidence they say suggests that Aetna's plan to buy Prudential Health Care would harm competition in the health insurance industry.</p>

Hold HMOs Liable

April 28, 1999  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>San Francisco Chronicle Opinion Editorial</h3><p class="source">San Franciso Chronicle</p> <p>The threat of a lawsuit can be a powerful incentive to do the right thing, yet 14 million Californians insured through private employer health plans are denied the prerogative of a comprehensive court remedy. Because of a 1974 federal law -- the Employee</p>

Consumer Group Sues Aetna Inc.

April 20, 1999  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">San Diego Union-Tribune</p> <p>Consumer health care advocates opened a new front against HMOs yesterday by joining in a suit against the nation's largest health care provider, Aetna Inc., for racketeering. The lawsuit claims Aetna attracted potential customers by saying it was dedica</p>