Insurance

Insurance news, investigations, and reform — auto, home, and health insurance rates, claims denials, and industry accountability.

Four Bills Schwarzenegger Should Sign

September 30, 2008 · Consumer Watchdog

From Wildfire Safety to Insurance Protections, These Measures Deserve the Governor's Approval. Assembly Bill 1945 - This important bill by Assemblyman Hector De La Torre (D-South Gate) takes on the problem of insurance companies retroactively revoking coverage, sometimes on dubious grounds. It would subject such action to review by the state Department of Managed Health Care or the Department of Insurance.

Schwarzenegger vetoes stem cell bill, SB 1565

September 29, 2008 · John M. Simpson

<a href="http://gov.ca.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger</a> has vetoed a bill that would have enacted into law intellectual property policy provisions covering research funded by the state stem cell agency, <a href="http://www.cirm.ca.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine.</a>

Aetna to Allow Independent Doctor Panel to Review Rescission Decisions

September 29, 2008 · Consumer Watchdog

In a statement, Consumer Watchdog said Aetna's announcement "does not sufficiently protect current and future policyholders" because it doesn't clarify the legal standard for rescissions -- intentional misrepresentation, which is provided in Assembly Bill 1945 authored by Democratic California Assemblyman Hector De La Torre.

Dodd Inherited Problems, Did He Do Enough?

September 27, 2008 · Consumer Watchdog

Public Citizen and Consumer Watchdog have also called on Congress to increase regulation of financial institutions and establish strict accountability for firms that receive bailout money. Dodd has been an advocate for most of their specific recommendations including that taxpayers get a stake in companies that are bailed out and strict oversight.

Gov protects predatory lenders

September 26, 2008 · Carmen Balber

Yesterday, the <a href="http://www.sacbee.com/111/story/1267248.html">Governor vetoed AB 1830 (Lieu), a bill that would have banned the kind of predatory mortgages that are at the heart of today’s financial meltdown</a>...

Back from the D.C. bailout debacle

September 25, 2008 · Harvey Rosenfield

I just got back from Washington D.C. where congressional lawmakers were in the process of surrendering $700 billion of the public’s money to the Wall Street schemers and speculators whose greed caused this crisis...

Appeal Plan is Proposed for Stem Cell Panel Grants

September 25, 2008 · Consumer Watchdog

Board is Meeting in San Diego Today Several scientists and Santa Monica-based Consumer Watchdog questioned whether this was the proper way for the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine to determine how it would allocate up to $3 billion in taxpayer money for stem cell research.

The Great Bailout of 08: Protecting Americans

September 24, 2008 · Consumer Watchdog

A few hours from now and a few miles away, lobbyists and members of Congress will crowd into a hearing room to listen to Treasury Secretary Paulson and Fed Chairman Bernanke tell us that unless the American people come up with $700 billion right...

Principles for a Patriotic Bailout Plan

September 24, 2008 · Consumer Watchdog

The three-page, $700 billion bailout plan presented to Congress by the Bush Administration last Friday is an appallingly superficial response to years of bad decisions and greed of Wall Street firms empowered by a long-standing, bipartisan...

Mr. Rosenfield goes to Washington

September 24, 2008 · Harvey Rosenfield

You have to love Harvey Rosenfield. When he sees a just fight, he rushes headlong into it. That's why Harvey took a plane to Washington DC today to try to stop the $700 billion bank bailout, or at least get something for consumers in the process.

Tempers flare at stem cell subcommittee meeting

September 23, 2008 · John M. Simpson

Stem Cell <a href="http://www.cirm.ca.gov/faq/pdf/Bio.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Board Chairman Bob Klein and member Jeff Sheehy</a> clashed heatedly over a former board member's highly paid consultancy to the state agency at a recent meeting of the ...

World Stem Cell Summit Kicks Off in Madison

September 22, 2008 · Consumer Watchdog

The city of Madison, a crucial area for stem cell research, plays host to the 2008 World Stem Cell Summit Monday and Tuesday. Consumer Watchdog, formerly known as the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, and the Public Patent Foundation filed an appeal with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Friday against its decision to uphold a Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation stem-cell patent.