Healthcare

Who’s Kickin’ Butt Now?

March 4, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<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  ·  Consumer Watchdog

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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>

The HMO Tax

January 15, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">Governor Schwarzenegger's budget plan will force 816,000 seniors, disabled Californians and their family members currently enrolled in the state's Medi-Cal program into HMOs. Forget for the...</font>

Prescription benefit amid health care cuts;

January 12, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Plan relies on help from drugmakers</h3><p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>Cal Rx is not open to enough Californians who need drug coverage, said Jerry Flanagan, director of health policy for FTCR. He instead urged negotiating a low-rate bulk-drug purchasing pool involving all residents.</p>

Drug savings plan directed at low-income Californians

January 7, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The San Diego Union-Tribune</p> <p>"These companies are the makers of Vioxx and Celebrex," said Jerry Flanagan, spokesman for the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights. "We can't trust drug companies to give discounts."</p>