CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS: RESTRICTIONS ON TELEMARKETING AND TELEPHONE SOLICITATION
<p class="source">FCC</p>
Healthcare
PROFILE OF A REPEAT OFFENDER: TENET HEALTHCARE CORPORATION
<!-- excerpt --><p>Our inability to effectively punish corporate crime has led to unsafe working conditions, environmental destruction, and economic downturn. This lack of deterrence for corporate criminals has, in the case of Tenet Healthcare Corporation, even had a hand in the skyrocketing cost of healthcare.</p>
Nonprofit funded lavish travel with insurance spin-off
<p class="source">The Atlanta Journal-Constitution</p>
<p>A consumer group, the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, said a nonprofit should operate efficiently and reinvest its money in the organization or the community --- actions that confer its special tax status. "Nonprofits should not keep huge reserves or spend large amounts of money on foreign trips for executives," said Jerry Flanagan, director of health care policy for the California consumer group.</p>
Watchdog Slams Drug Marketing To Doctors
<p class="source">Consumer Affairs</p>
<p>The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights (FTCR) charges one prescription drug manufacturer in particular, Bristol-Myers Squibb, is one of the biggest spenders. The company has suspended its advertising to the public, but the consumer watchdog group charges it's making up for it with health care professionals.</p>
Clinton, Frist Tout Medical Records Bill
<p class="source">Associated Press</p>
<p>The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights said expanding medical databases the way Clinton and Frist hope would put more people at risk of identity theft.</p>
Frist, Clinton push for health information technology legislation
<p class="source">Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service</p>
<p>"The problem with this is that you are creating the opportunity for identity theft," said Jerry Flanagan of FTCR. Flanagan said that if a breach in a medical database occurred, insurance and pharmaceutical companies, as well as employers, could acquire the information to use against the patient. Flanagan also said the legislation fails to hold database operators accountable during a security breach.</p>
Ten Principles to Ensure Prescription Drug Safety
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The Arnold Machine Set for Spin Cycle
<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">Since the beginning of his
administration Arnold has filled his staff with big industry lobbyists
and executives, but everyone knows that for any relationship to work
there has to be some give...</font>
Blue Cross grilled on fees;
<h3>State wants to know whether premiums were raised to fund WellPoint merger.</h3><p class="source">Sacramento Bee</p>
<p>Jerry Flanagan, with the Foundation for Consumer and Taxpayer Rights, said at the meeting that he had heard similar stories of frequent and steep rate hikes from Blue Cross members all over the state.</p>
On Blue Cross Rate Increases in Wake of Wellpoint-Anthem Merger
<!-- excerpt --><p>On behalf of Blue Cross of California enrollees, the FTCR calls on the Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) to use its full authority to investigate Blue Cross rate increases following the company's merger with Anthem Inc. and to require refunds of unfair rate increases.</p>
Council OKs Discount Prescription Drug Plan
<p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p>
<p>The Los Angeles City Council took a key step Wednesday toward creating a prescription drug discount program for residents, a victory for the plan's author, Councilman Antonio Villaraigosa.</p>
Support gaining for mandated health insurance
<h3>Critics say such a requirement could place an unrealistic burden on small businesses and the poor.</h3><p class="source">The San Diego Union-Tribune</p>
<p>"All this will do is make small business and individuals purchase health insurance they can't afford," said Barry Fowler, a self-employed consumer who is working with Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights to fight the bill.</p>