Healthcare

Attention on Sen. Frist turns to issues, his ties to HCA

December 22, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Chattanooga Times/Chattanooga Free Press</p> <p>Sen. Frist's likely election to the majority leader post already is raising new questions about his ties to HCA. The chain was founded by his father and is now run by his brother, Thomas Frist.</p>

CALIFORNIA MEDICAL LIABILITY INSURER HAS RATES PUT ON HOLD FOR PUBLIC HEARING

December 11, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">BestWire</p> <p>The second-largest provider of medical-liability insurance in California has had its 2003 rate request--originally approved by the insurance department--set aside as a consumer group requests public hearings into the need for the increase.</p>

OPINIONMAKERS – THE UNINSURED: LOS ANGELES TIMES OPINION PIECES ADDRESS ISSUE

December 9, 2002  ·  Jamie Court

<p class="source">American Health Line</p> <p>The Los Angeles Times today features opinion pieces by Ronald Brownstein, a Times columnist, and Jamie Court, executive director of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, on the problem of the uninsured.</p>

Curb on HMO price hikes urged

December 6, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>A consumer group wants legislation to regulate premium hikes.</h3><p class="source">The Sacramento Bee</p> <p>A California consumer advocacy group Thursday called for legislation to limit the ability of HMOs to raise health insurance premiums without prior permission from state regulators.</p>

Major California HMOs fatten as insurance costs rise

December 5, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>California's biggest HMOs are getting richer even as rising medical costs strain the budgets of their customers, according to financial figures filed with state regulators.</p>

Insurers begin charging more for some hospitals and doctors

November 21, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Associated Press</p> <p>Some insurance companies are trying yet another tactic to drive down health care costs, using tiered medical coverage to steer patients from high-priced hospitals and doctors to less expensive ones.</p>

Kaiser will pay fine of $1 million over care

November 16, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Sacramento Bee</p> <p>Kaiser Permanente will pay a $1 million fine - the largest in California history against a full-service health plan - to settle a longstanding legal battle with regulators that began with a patient's death, state officials announced Friday.</p>

Kaiser to pay $1 million fine over death; HMO had disagreed with state on its authority on access to care

November 16, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>Ending an acrimonious battle with state regulators, Kaiser Permanente agreed to pay a record $1 million fine Friday to settle a case surrounding the death of a 74-year-old San Leandro woman whose treatment was allegedly delayed at its Hayward hospital.</p>

Kaiser Will Pay $1-Million Fine for Death;

November 16, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>The state's biggest HMO gives in to regulators who said thefirm failed to deliver timely care to a woman who died of an aneurysm.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>The fine, initially imposed in May 2000, is the state's largest against a full-service health maintenance organization, said Daniel Zingale, director of the California Department of Managed Health Care.</p>

Health care more costly, more elusive than ever

November 16, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The North County Times</p> <p>Community officials gathered at a town hall meeting Friday concluded that getting people, particularly working people and children, the health care they need is more expensive and elusive than ever.</p>

Kaiser Permanente to Pay $1 Million Fine for HMO Patient Death

November 9, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">American Health Line</p> <p>The California Department of Managed Health Care imposed the $1 million fine, the largest the department has issued against an HMO, in May 2000. Kaiser had "vigorously fought" the fine but decided to end objections to "move on,"..</p>

It can’t hurt to get 2nd opinion;

November 3, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>American Heart Association offers guidelines</h3><p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>When it comes to serious medical conditions, getting a "second opinion" is often not only a good idea, it can be a requirement. Health insurers will, in some cases, insist on a second opinion before they'll agree to pay for an unusual or particularly e</p>