Insurance

Consumer Watchdog Tackles Autism Coverage Denials

February 25, 2009  ·  Consumer Watchdog

Consumer Watchdog has called on the Californian HMO regulator to make public its communications with insurance companies relating to cases of coverage denials for autism treatment.

Google wants to get rid of watchdogs, no apologies

February 25, 2009  ·  Jamie Court

<p> When I walked into the Consumer Watchdog office today on a <a href="http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/patients/articles/?storyId=25148">press conference</a> seeking to protect benefits for autistic children, it occurred to me just what is so insidious about Google's efforts to de-fund our consumer group. </p>

Privacy Watchdog Suffers Google’s Ire

February 24, 2009  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<strong>Search Giant Tries To Pull Consumer Watchdog's Funding</strong><br /> The U.S. privacy and consumer protection group Consumer Watchdog today shot back at Google for allegedly trying to have its funding withdrawn.

Google Executive Apologizes Over Email To Consumer Watchdog Donor

February 23, 2009  ·  Consumer Watchdog

Bob Boorstin, Google's Director of Corporate and Policy Communications, issued a statement on Monday apologizing for sending information about Consumer Watchdog to The Rose Foundation. Earlier on Monday, Consumer Watchdog published the text of an email that Boorstin sent to the foundation on February 9, in which he asked it to consider withdrawing funding. Boorstin cited Consumer Watchdog's campaign to highlight Google's alleged lobbying activities on Capitol Hill.

Insurance Industry Not On The Same Page With Latest Optional Federal Charter Pitch

February 23, 2009  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p> <strong>Insurer, Producer Groups Remain At Odds On Renewed Push For National Oversight</strong> </p> <p> Chiming in with its own letter to Mr. Geithner was Santa Monica, Calif.-based Consumer Watchdog, which wrote that "while the need for a financial regulatory overhaul is clear, it should not be used as a stalking horse for insurance deregulation." Consumer Watchdog -- formed by Prop. 103 organizer Harvey Rosenfield, and formerly known as the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights -- said the aim of those who seek federal oversight is to avoid stringent state regulations. </p>

Costs For Individual Health Plans Soar

February 20, 2009  ·  Jerry Flanagan

At a time when more people are forced to buy their own health insurance because of job losses, costs for many individual policies are soaring. Advocates say the 17 million Americans who buy their own coverage can't negotiate lower rates the way employers or other large group plans can. "These folks have their back against the wall," says Jerry Flanagan, a health advocate with Consumer Watchdog, a California-based group.

Three’s The Charm: Don’t Just Get Mad – Get Better, With ‘The Three Laws of Performance’

February 20, 2009  ·  Consumer Watchdog

What if the corporations themselves were to transform and basically incorporate so-called “nonprofit” values into their own charters? “The Three Laws of Performance” has the practical know-how to guide conscientious participants in corporations through a long-lasting, not “airy-fairy” inside-out metamorphosis of their workplace and mission.

Hollingsworth’s fundraising while budgeting – unbelievable

February 19, 2009  ·  Doug Heller

<p> Months into California's budget stalemate and less than 24 hours into his tenure as California's Senate Minority Leader, Sen. Dennis Hollingsworth is already holding a <a href="http://campaign.constantcontact.com/render?v=001rM7aeOJhCItEAyU48OhzuQ1HEHPccCCENxWvVQHrcFdmBDCa-BsI3mpJpdqQUM1Kbo-BBWTCbYnlOC0RnmGA7alTrbGDlRLY" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$1,000-a-head fundraiser</a> (thanks to <a href="http://www.capitolweekly.net/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Capitol Weekly</a> for posting).  So, other than it just being an utterly insane PR move, doesn't the new Republican leader have a little more to be doing with his time than carousing with special interests? </p>

Brace Yourself For Higher Insurance Rates

February 18, 2009  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p> Insurance industry critic Harvey Rosenfield, author of Proposition 103, questioned some of what Poizner is doing. "The tentative changes I've seen would let the insurance companies estimate their future losses and also let them choose which years to include as the basis for that," he said. "It's basically deregulation." </p>

Financial Services Reform Could Be “Launching Pad” For Federal Insurance Deregulation, Group Warns

February 16, 2009  ·  Consumer Watchdog

A consumer advocacy group says it fears Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner’s financial services reform could become “a launching pad” for the federal deregulation of insurance.

Consumer Group Attacks OFC Concept

February 12, 2009  ·  Consumer Watchdog

Insurance regulation should remain with the states, and switching to an optional federal insurance charter (OFC) would be tantamount to deregulation, according to a letter sent yesterday to the Treasury Department by Consumer Watchog, a consumer advocacy group.

Anthem Blue Cross Agrees To Take Back Clients, Pay $1 Million Fine

February 11, 2009  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p> <strong>As part of a deal with California regulators, the state's largest health insurer will offer new coverage to 2,330 people it dropped after they submitted bills for expensive medical care.</strong><br /> Jerry Flanagan, a patient advocate with Consumer Watchdog in Santa Monica, said Anthem's $1-million fine was "an insult to the people of California, especially those who have lived under the financial destruction caused by rescission." The fine, he said, pales in comparison to what Anthem must have saved by rescinding policies for years. Anthem has never said what costs it avoided through rescission. But Health Net, in documents produced for the Bates trial, said it avoided $35.5 million by canceling 1,600 policies. </p>