Healthcare

California considers UnitedHealth Group’s proposal to buy competitor

July 8, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">St. Paul Pioneer Press (St. Paul, MN)</p> <p>Jerry Flanagan, health care director with the taxpayer foundation, said he is concerned that the merger will result in less choice for patients, lower payments for doctors and hospitals, and more waste in the health care system if regulators do not set conditions for the merger.</p>

Bob Cuddy — Livermore, California

July 8, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<br /> <!-- excerpt -->

UnitedHealth to buy PacifiCare in deal worth $8.1 Billion

July 7, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">USA TODAY</p> <p>The Foundation for Taxpayer & Consumer Rights (FTCR), the group that led the fight in California over WellPoint, has launched an attack on the proposed marriage between UnitedHealth Group and PacifiCare. "Health insurers claim mergers provide better and more cost-effective care," says Jerry Flanagan of FTCR. "But history shows just the opposite occurs."</p>

Merger of health insurers planned;

July 7, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>UnitedHealth Group is set to purchase PacifiCare in an $8.1 billion deal.</h3><p class="source">Sacramento Bee</p> <p>Creating the nation's second-largest health insurer "will result in less choice for patients, lower payments for doctors and hospitals, and more waste in the health care system," said Jerry Flanagan of the Foundation for Consumer and Taxpayer Rights.</p>

UnitedHealth makes offer for PacifiCare in huge health care deal

July 7, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>"HMO goliaths like WellPoint and Aetna and a merged UnitedHealth and PacifiCare are so big they don't have to compete, and threaten patient care," said Jerry Flanagan of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, which has been critical of HMOs.</p>

Hospital price lists trickle in;

July 2, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>About 60% meet state's deadline for service charges</h3><p class="source">San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>"We need to have strict oversight and require standardization of rates," said Jerry Flanagan, health advocate for the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights. Flanagan said the sticker prices charged by hospitals, which are generally paid only by people without health insurance, are too high and bear little relation to underlying costs.</p>

Consumer Group Challenges AMA on Drug Ads

July 1, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Consumer Affairs</p> <p>"The AMA's feigned concern for the fate of patients targeted by drug advertising makes about as much sense as a pusher enrolling his customers in drug-addicts anonymous," said Jerry Flanagan of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights (FTCR).</p>

Canada May Ban U.S. Drug Sales When Supply Falls

July 1, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Wall Street Journal</p> <p>The evolving situation in Canada has prompted an outcry from U.S. consumer groups who believe low-income Americans, including senior citizens, could lose access to affordable medication. "Americans are only buying drugs from Canada because President Bush and Congress, with their cozy ties to the pharmaceutical industry, refuse to support a prescription-drug bulk-purchasing plan," David Fink, consumer advocate with the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, said in a statement.</p>

CANADA MAY CUT EXPORT OF DRUGS;

July 1, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>S. FLORIDIANS VOICE CONCERN</h3><p class="source">Sun-Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, FL)</p> <p>"Americans are only buying drugs from Canada because President Bush and Congress, with their cozy ties to the pharmaceutical industry, refuse to support a prescription drug bulk purchasing plan," said David Fink, consumer advocate with the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights. "Seniors and other patients shouldn't have to rely on other countries to get the drugs they need."</p>

Canada to Ban Prescription Drug Exports

June 29, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>U.S. Seniors Left With No Alternative</h3>

U.S. Patients’ Access to Canadian Drug Discounts Threatened

June 24, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Canada Plans to Rein In Internet Drug Sales</h3>

CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS: RESTRICTIONS ON TELEMARKETING AND TELEPHONE SOLICITATION

June 22, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">FCC</p>