Healthcare

‘Bait and Switch’ Alleged at Health Net

April 28, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>A consumer group's lawsuit alleges that Health Net Inc., one of California's largest medical insurers, failed to provide public employees in the state with the mental healthcare it promised them in its explanation of coverage.</p>

Doctors to transmit orders via computer

April 27, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">San Diego Union-Tribune</p> <p>However, technological advances such as electronic prescribing can be "a double-edged sword" because of privacy issues, said Jerry Flanagan, a consumer advocate with the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights.</p>

Outsourcing Disabled Health Care

April 20, 2004  ·  Jerry Flanagan

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">ArnoldWatch tipsters tell us that Arnold, as part of his 'Medi-Cal redesign plan,' wants to force the disabled in the program to join corporateering HMOs whose high overhead costs and capped...</font>

SUNRISE CENTERS; A rift in care under 1 roof

April 19, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Newsday (New York)</p> <p>For six years, the nation's largest assisted living chain has operated in New York without being licensed by the state health department.</p>

Malpractice Legislation Remains Stuck In the Senate

April 8, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The New York Times</p> <p>The legislation "would directly benefit Senator Frist's family's hospital chain and insurance company and increase his personal fortune," the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights said in a letter to the Senate Ethics Committee.<br></p>

Frist should recuse himself from debate

April 8, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Jackson Sun (Jackson, Tennessee)</p> <p>How can Senator Frist argue legitimately that his own family's extensive holdings in the health care field won't somehow color his judgment? Realistically, he can't.</p>

Senate ethics panel asked to probe Frist

April 7, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">UPI - United Press International</p> <p>The Foundation for Taxpayer & Consumer Rights filed a complaint with the Senate Ethics Committee Monday, asking the panel to investigate the majority leader's potential to benefit personally from legislation being examined by the body Wednesday.</p>

Senate Again Tries Medical Malpractice Bill

April 7, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>Opponents of the bill also filed a complaint against Frist, a heart surgeon, for participating in the debate since his family founded the HCA hospital chain and its subsidiary malpractice insurer, Health Care Indemnity.</p>

Ethics Complaint Cites Frist’s Work On Medical Malpractice Legislation

April 7, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Washington Post</p> <p>A consumer rights foundation has asked the Senate ethics committee to investigate whether Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) improperly promoted legislation to limit medical malpractice awards while maintaining "personal and financial ties" to a large h</p>

Complaint alleges Frist conflict of interest

April 7, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Chattanooga Times Free Press (Tennessee)</p> <p>FTCR's complaint states Sen. Frist transferred HCA stock worth between $10 million & $30 million to blind trusts in late December 2000. It states that between $1 million & $2.3 million in HCA stock since has been added, while just under $625,000 in the s</p>

Consumer group files complaint against Frist because of HCA ties

April 6, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Gannett News Service</p> <p>FTCR said HCA, Inc., the Nashville-based hospital chain founded by Frist's father and older brother, and its malpractice insurance subsidiary would benefit financially from Frist-backed legislation to limit liability to $250,000 for trauma centers, gynec</p>

Consumer group files complaint against Frist because of HCA ties

April 6, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Gannett News Service</p> <p>Carmen Balber said her organization FTCR, decided to call for a new investigation after Frist ignored requests that he stay out of the debate and said Frist has an obligation to step aside "to give voters confidence that a vote is going through without a</p>