Healthcare

All rhetoric aside, the pen will tell

August 12, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Contra Costa Times (California)</p> <p>Arnold advocates innovative government and health care for the poor, and backs making California business-friendly. So will he sign legislation drug companies and business interests oppose that would make it easier to buy cheaper prescription drugs from C</p>

An active retirement;

August 11, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Older Americans make a formidable voting bloc, and as healthcare issues and the war make headlines, more are politicized, some say.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>The Canadian Rx Express is a train ride to Vancouver to pick up three-month supplies of prescription drugs to dramatize the irony of having to go to Canada to buy U.S.-made drugs at discount prices, organized by FTCR.</p>

Bush and Kerry Invited to Join Rx Express to Canada

August 11, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Train Trip With Patients to Highlight Need for Rx Bulk Purchasing</h3>

Garamendi Digs In

July 30, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Garamendi turned down Anthem's deal to acquire Thousand Oaks-based WellPoint, which insures more than 7 million Californians through its Blue Cross of California subsidiary. Anthem is expected to take Garamendi to court for his admirable stance</p>

Top regulator sports a tough image;

July 24, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>California commissioner says consumers come 1st; some feel he's driven by political aspirations.</h3><p class="source">The Indianapolis Star</p> <p>"Our position on Garamendi -- and I think his decision today proves it -- is that he's a tough regulator who stands up to special interests," said Jerry Flanagan, spokesman for the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights in Los Angeles.</p>

Dick Cheney, Insurance Salesman

July 21, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Center for American Progress</p> <p>The state of California put medical malpractice caps in place in 1975. A 1993 study of medical malpractice insurance in California showed the caps had "done little more than enrich California malpractice insurers with excessive profits (http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/insurance/fs/fs002695.php3), at the expense of malpractice victims."</p>

REDRESS WHEN WRONGED? FORGET ABOUT IT

July 15, 2004  ·  Jamie Court

<!-- excerpt --><p>What right do all government officials have that the taxpayers who pay their salaries don't? After two recent rulings by the U.S. Supreme Court, the answer is the right to sue your health maintenance organization or health insurer for damages.</p>

EDITORIAL: REDRESS WHEN WRONGED? FORGET ABOUT IT

July 15, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">THE SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER</p> <p>What right do all government officials have that the taxpayers who pay their salaries don't? After two recent rulings by the U.S. Supreme Court, the answer is the right to sue your health maintenance organization (HMO) or health insurer for damages.</p>

Follow the Money

July 14, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Why does Gavin Newsom need a backer like the California Urban Issues Project?</h3><p class="source">San Francisco Weekly (California)</p> <p>FTCR asked the IRS to reconsider the tax-exempt status of a nonprofit set up to benefit Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, saying the entity violates federal tax law by helping the governor raise money, lobby, and conduct polls, without disclosing its sources of</p>

LESS PAIN, SUFFERING FOR DOCS;

July 13, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Calif. law reduces malpractice awards, fees</h3><p class="source">The Boston Herald</p> <p>"What it says is that the people with the most severe and entirely legitimate claims are having their rights severed,'' said Doug Heller, head of California's Foundation for Taxpayers & Consumer Rights.</p>

AWARDS CUT IN MEDICAL ERRORS;

July 13, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>STATE LAW LOWERS JURY VERDICTS FOR VICTIMS BY 30% TO 51%</h3><p class="source">The Daily News of Los Angeles</p> <p>"What the study indicates is that people, regardless of the legitimacy of their claim and the seriousness of their injury, are seeing their recovery arbitrarily reduced - and in some cases, quite dramatically," said Doug Heller, executive director of FTCR</p>

No resolution in California; Questions remain after Anthem-WellPoint hearing

July 12, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Modern Healthcare</p> <p>Officials with the two giant insurers pushed their case for the merger during a hearing conducted by the state's Department of Managed Health Care, which must approve the deal. The hearing included a handful of residents and consumer advocates who critic</p>