Healthcare

Calif. Treasurer Urging State to Nix UnitedHealth-PacifiCare Deal Unless ‘Excessive Payouts’ Given Up

September 20, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">BestWire</p> <p>In addition to Angelides, the Foundation for Taxpayer & Consumer Rights came out again criticizing the proposed merger. Joined by nurses and patient advocacy groups, the foundation urged the DMHC to oppose the deal, unless commitments are made, including guarantees that patients will not face rate increases to pay for the cost of the merger.</p>

California rates HMOs

September 19, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Modern Healthcare</p> <p>Jerry Flanagan, healthcare policy director for the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, says the survey provides a meaningless comparison of health plans while omitting important information, such as the number and type of patient complaints filed against each HMO and what percentage of premiums each HMO spends on actual care.</p>

HMO Care Improves in State Survey

September 14, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>"This report gives consumers less information than Ebert & Roeper's movie reviews," said Jerry Flanagan of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, a Santa Monica consumer group. The report should have addressed financial issues such as how much of the premiums are spent on care, Flanagan said.</p>

Viewing the Vioxx Verdict: Suits Become Sole Protection Against Big Pharma Firms

August 30, 2005  ·  Jerry Flanagan

<p class="source">Los Angeles Business Journal</p> <p>Drug companies might try to evoke sympathy from future jurors by claiming that big verdicts will cut into research and development funds. But that would be another cover-up: an analysis of drug company SEC filings shows that they spend 2-3 times more on marketing and administration than on developing new drugs. Merck spent just 5% of its $47 billion revenue on research and development in 2001, while 15% went to profit.</p>

Drug Firms Try To Fool Voters

August 25, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>The pharmaceutical industry's campaign to turn California's voter initiative process into its wholly owned subsidiary is moving into full gear. We should vote Proposition 78 down to reestablish a fundamental principle: that the process belongs to us, not them.</p>

Consumer Group Says Patients Can Fight Back Against Huge Prescription Drug Costs By Signing Up for Bulk Purchasing On-Line

August 17, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Internet Campaign to Promote Los Angeles Program - Consumers Do Not Have to Live In L.A. to Save </h3>

Valley may adopt L.A. plan for prescription discounts;

July 29, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>SoCal program may save 40% on medicines with buying pool.</h3><p class="source">Fresno Bee</p> <p>Both the Los Angeles and Fresno proposals are being put together by the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, a nonpartisan consumer advocacy group based in Santa Monica.</p>

PPOs: Pig people or preferred providers?

July 28, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Business Insurance Magazine</p> <p>Those who visit the Web site, <a href="http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/healthcare/PigPeople/">www.consumerwatchdog.org/healthcare/PigPeople/</a> , can sign a petition urging state lawmakers to enact legislation making health insurance subject to the same pre-approval requirements as other lines of insurance under Proposition 103.</p>

System Failure;

July 25, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Most U.S. hospitals have never filed a report with the databank that records doctor suspensions; critics say it's time for a new method</h3><p class="source">Modern Healthcare</p> <p>"Medical boards are run by doctors, controlled by state medical associations,'' said Jamie Court, president of FTCR. "There has never been aggressive policing of doctors. The databank isn't effective. The whole system, nationally, of doctors policing other doctors, does not work."</p>

Officials insist Simi hospital isn’t in trouble;

July 22, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Facility is in transition, they say</h3><p class="source">Ventura County Star</p> <p>"The problems at Simi Valley Hospital are emblematic of problems across the board in hospitals in California," said Jerry Flanagan, the healthcare policy director for FTCR. "The problem in California is we have no central oversight organization."</p>

In Contempt

July 19, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">Arnold's contempt for Californians may soon have an official sanction. Today Sacramento Superior Court Judge Judy Hersher ordered the Gov and top officials to appear in court August 17th to...</font>

East Coast Rx Express — Marion Hicks & June Marie Preston — Douglasville, Pennsylvania

July 8, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

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