Healthcare

Businesses Could Be Key to Health Care Reform

September 26, 2005  ·  Jamie Court

<p class="source">KPCC 89.3FM (Pasadena, CA)</p> <p>So what can we do? As a start, why not give all Californians access to the same policies state politicians and employees have? The California Public Employees Retirement System (CALPERS) has a policy that bypasses insurers. Doctors and hospitals contract directly with the state -- cutting out insurers' hefty profits and making the plan more affordable.</p>

Senate Leader Explains His Sale of a Stock That Then Plummeted

September 22, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The New York Times</p> <p>On Wednesday, the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights of Santa Monica, Calif., said it sent a letter to the Securities and Exchange Commission asking for an investigation of the sale.</p>

Frist sells stock in family-founded HCA

September 21, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Gannett News Service</p> <p>The president of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights said he thought Frist should recuse himself from voting on the malpractice legislation as it makes its way through Congress, because his family still stands to benefit from it even if he no longer does.</p>

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  ·  Jerry Flanagan

<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>