Consumer Watchdog

Expose. Confront. Change.

Consumer Watchdog

Healthcare

Healthcare and patient-safety coverage — medical negligence, prescription drug prices, and your right to quality, affordable care.
Doctors Sick of Insurance

Doctors Sick of Insurance

<p> No one knows more about the state of medical care in America than the people delivering it. That's what gives extra punch to <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSN31432035">a survey </a>finding that a solid majority--59%--of doctors now favor national universal health insurance, way up from 6 years ago. Yes, real single-payer, not the private insurance expansion favored in different forms by all of the presidential candidates. It's another case of politics dragging way behind what actual people want. </p>
JAMIE COURT: The Quaid Factor

JAMIE COURT: The Quaid Factor

<p> Can Dennis Quaid's fight to make sense of his twin babies' harrowing ordeal at Cedars Sinai change the face of medicine? I'm betting on Quaid and his family's <a href="http://www.thequaidfoundation.org/">new foundation.</a> </p> <p> Q...</p>
Not So Fast on the Health Insurance Mandates

Not So Fast on the Health Insurance Mandates

<strong>Are they constitutional? Clinton and Obama need to ask the question.</strong><br/> -------------------<br/> The following commentary by Consumer Watchdog chairman Jamie Court, and Loyola law professor Karl Manheim, was published on...
Unions Promoting Drugs?

Unions Promoting Drugs?

<p> No, we don't mean marijuana on the street, but the brand-name drugs that are so profitable to the pharmaceutical industry. We found out today that an SEIU local is promoting Lipitor, the cholesterol drug, to doctors in its health plan. If you've seen this practice in either union or employer health plans, would you tell us? You can respond in the comments section below, or with a confidential e-mail to [email protected] . </p>
“People won’t sign up voluntarily”

“People won’t sign up voluntarily”

Senator Calderon's response in the <a href="http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/patients/articles/?storyId=19152"><em>Whittier Daily News</em></a> to our <a href="http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/patients/articles/?storyId=19075">request</a>.
You can be like Britney!

You can be like Britney!

<p> Like other top hospitals in LA, UCLA Medical Center has heavy physical security to keep the papparazi and other riff-raff away from its celebrity patients. But a flock of security guards in the parking lot can't stop an inside job....</p>
Doctor discipline board too slow

Doctor discipline board too slow

The state board charged with protecting Californians from bad doctors is doing too little, too late. Complaints about physician mistakes and misconduct are taking almost ...
Bill Aims to Open Medical Records

Bill Aims to Open Medical Records

<b>Information from pharmacies could go to drug firms</b> <p> Pharmaceutical companies could gain access to medical records to send reminders to patients to refill prescriptions, if a state bill is passed.<br/> <br/> The bill, SB 1096,...</p>
Nurses air radio spot in Ohio on the problem of mandates

Nurses air radio spot in Ohio on the problem of mandates

The National Nurses Organizing Committee/<a href="http://calnurses.org/">California Nurses Assoc.</a> is airing a <a href="http://calnurses.org/media-center/press-releases/2008/february/nurses-launch-major-ohio-radio-ad-campaign-telling-candidates-stop-selling-insurance-and-back-real-reform.html">radio spot in Ohio </a>about the debate over mandatory health insurance proposals.