Healthcare

Senate Hearing to Probe Regulation of Health Care Industry

March 27, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

A powerful Senate Democrat said a private meeting Wednesday between health insurers and state regulators appears to be part of the Schwarzenegger administration's "pattern of taking a very casual attitude about (administrative)...

Health Insurers to Meet with State Agency on Rescission Probe

March 26, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<strong>Consumer advocates worry that the closed session will advance a plan that critics say could make it easier to cancel policies. Regulators say that's not on the agenda.</strong><br/> <br/> California's largest health insurers, facing...

Not So Fast on the Health Insurance Mandates

March 24, 2008  ·  Jamie Court

<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?

March 20, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<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”

March 18, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

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!

March 17, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<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

March 17, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

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

March 16, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<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

March 1, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

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.

Mandate not so mandatory

February 27, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p> Interesting <a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-hacker26feb26,0,3044897.story">op-ed in the LA Times</a> yesterday from one of the architects of the Clinton and Obama health plans. Jacob Hacker, a man who... </p>

Hospitals sock it to the uninsured, study says

February 5, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>Consumer advocates agreed that uninsured pay high hospital rates, but they pointed out some limits to the study. "What we're not getting here is information about the utilization and quality of care those people are receiving," said Jerry Flanagan, health policy advocate for the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights. "Just because the uninsured are paying a higher level of charges doesn't mean they're getting the same level of care."</p>

Dunn Defends Plan for Doctors in Rehab

January 25, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

SACRAMENTO, CA -- To have earned a title like "The Man Who Cracked Enron," Joe Dunn must be persistent. <p> So it's no surprise that the former Orange County senator is still trying to save the state's diversion program, which...</p>