Healthcare

On Blue Cross Rate Increases in Wake of Wellpoint-Anthem Merger

May 13, 2005  ·  Jerry Flanagan

<!-- 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

May 6, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<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

April 17, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<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>

Who’s Kickin’ Butt Now?

March 4, 2005  ·  Jerry Flanagan

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">Last December, Arnold shamelessly bragged that he was kicking nurses' butts in Sacramento after he threw out patient protection rules guaranteeing that hospitals have enough nurses on duty.<br/>...</font>

Patients and Taxpayers Pay the Price for Drug Co. & Insurer Waste and Profiteering

February 24, 2005  ·  Jerry Flanagan

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Some Wonder if Baca’s on Governor’s Team

February 14, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Jerry Flanagan of FTCR, one of the groups that hired the plane pulling the anti-Arnold banner, said a Sheriff's Department helicopter intercepted the plane over Los Angeles and persuaded the pilot to abort his mission, even though he was flying legally.</p>

Bill seeks further delays in retrofitting hospitals;

February 10, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>LAWMAKER SAYS MANY FACILITIES CAN'T AFFORD TO MEET STANDARDS</h3><p class="source">San Jose Mercury News (California)</p> <p>"This is one big huge favor for the hospital industry," said Jamie Court from FTCR. "Some hospitals are making a killing. They should put some of that money back into hospitals to make them safe."</p>

Upon further review;

February 7, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>'External review' of medical claim denials is now the law of the land nearly nationwide. But the system has its fans and foes</h3><p class="source">Modern Healthcare</p> <p>Consumer advocates assailed the decision as a seminal step backward for patients' rights. Health insurers hailed it, saying it would help stem the nation's soaring healthcare costs.</p>

Drug Companies Examine Themselves Amongst Waves of Bad Publicity

February 7, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Brandweek - VNU Business Media, Inc.</p> <p>"The industry average for research and development is about 15% [of sales]," said Jerry Flanagan, healthcare director at FTCR. "Profit is twice R&D and marketing is two to three times as much. Every dollar spent on marketing means drugs will be more ex</p>

State Cap on Damages Appeals to President

February 3, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Although California malpractice premiums are lower than the national average, the real reason may not be MICRA but Proposition 103, a 1988 measure that rolled back all casualty insurance rates by 20% and required the approval for any rate increase.</p>

‘Cap’ cheats patients and doctors

February 3, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Atlanta Journal-Constitution</p> <p>For the insurance companies hoping to profit from the cap, this would be a dream come true. But make no mistake: the $250,000 cap will fail to lower doctors' insurance costs in Georgia, as they have elsewhere across the country.</p>

Measure goes further than governor’s proposal to force drug prices down

January 24, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Sacramento Union</p> <p>"If Canada with a population of 30 million negotiates 30 [percent] to 70 percent savings, we should be able to surpass that," said Jerry Flanagan, consumer advocate with Santa Monica-based Election Watchdog and author of the initiative.</p>