Consumer Watchdog

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Consumer Watchdog

Healthcare

Healthcare and patient-safety coverage — medical negligence, prescription drug prices, and your right to quality, affordable care.
State must take lead on health care

State must take lead on health care

<p class="source">The San Diego Union-Tribune</p> <p>The recent Capitol Hill burials for a Medicare prescription drug benefit and HMO reform signal that California must take matters into its own hands. Gov. Gray Davis should convene a special session of the Legislature to lead nationally on a crisis of new</p>
Commentary; State must take lead on health care

Commentary; State must take lead on health care

<!-- excerpt --><p>The recent Capitol Hill burials for a Medicare prescription drug benefit and HMO reform signal that California must take matters into its own hands. Gov. Gray Davis should convene a special session of the Legislature to lead nationally on a crisis of new</p>
Commentary; State must take lead on health care

Commentary; State must take lead on health care

<!-- excerpt --><p>The recent Capitol Hill burials for a Medicare prescription drug benefit and HMO reform signal that California must take matters into its own hands. Gov. Gray Davis should convene a special session of the Legislature to lead nationally on a crisis of new</p>
Prescription drug issue goes to state Senate;

Prescription drug issue goes to state Senate;

<h3>Watchdog agency would get more say over HMO coverage</h3><p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>A Senate bill introduced this week would give the state more muscle in the battle between patients and HMOs over prescription drug coverage denials.</p>
Bush Seeks to Limit Malpractice Suits;

Bush Seeks to Limit Malpractice Suits;

<h3>Such a move will turn aspects of the health-care system into an 'even bigger death trap,' one opponent says. But HHS paper touts benefits.</h3><p class="source">The Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Bush plans to call today for stringent new curbs on malpractice lawsuits against health-care providers and insurance companies, contending that limiting such litigation will lower the cost of care and increase the number of medical specialists, administra</p>
CAPITOL HILL HEARING TESTIMONY: IMPACT OF LITIGATION ON HEALTHCARE ACCESS

CAPITOL HILL HEARING TESTIMONY: IMPACT OF LITIGATION ON HEALTHCARE ACCESS

<h3>COMMITTEE: HOUSE ENERGY AND COMMERCE, SUBCOMMITTEE: HEALTH</h3><p class="source">Federal Document Clearing House</p> <p>In an age where expanding patients' rights has become a national demand, HR 4600 would dramatically contract patients' rights across the nation. This anti-consumer legislation will shield HMOs and providers they influence from legal accountability</p>
Op-Ed: Let a Public Board Set Health-Care Rates;

Op-Ed: Let a Public Board Set Health-Care Rates;

<h3>Manage hospitals like utilities</h3><p class="source">The Los Angeles Times</p> <p>The only way to ensure access to Los Angeles County's emergency rooms and hospitals is by employing the same model that Angelenos use to protect their electricity and water costs and Marylanders use to maintain their hospitals: public utility regulation.</p>