Insurance

Don’t Let the Door Hit You….

March 26, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

When the doors are slammed on a meeting between government and industry, the excuse is usually that a "frank exchange" must be allowed. The reality is too often that there's something to hide. So it is with today's private meeting between California health regulators and the state's biggest insurers.

Not a private science club

March 25, 2008  ·  John M. Simpson

Back in February California's stem cell agency <a href="http://www.cirm.ca.gov/press/pdf/2008/02-15-08.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">made a big deal</a> of hosting a meeting of the International Stem Cell Forum. Chairman Bob Klein and his colleagues made...

Wisconsin Stem Cell Patents Upheld

March 21, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

Scientists are still grumbling about the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation's grip on stem cell patents--a hold strengthened by rulings this and last month affirming WARF's patents on primate and human embryonic stem (ES) cells. But there is a...

Canada: What Heparin problem?

March 20, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p> Today's news stories identifying the apparently deadly fake heparin that adulterated a major U.S. brand of the blood thinner brought back memories: All those <a href="http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/mcclellan_02-26-04.html">dire warnings</a> from the Bush administration about the illegality and danger of buying cheaper prescription drugs from Canada. </p>

Massachusetts hikes premiums, co-pays for low-income consumers

March 20, 2008  ·  Carmen Balber

<br /> It's official - the poorest Massachusetts consumers will pick up the slack for cost increases under the state's mandatory health insurance program. The state approved a ... <p>   </p>

A campaign fine fit for the Guinness book

March 19, 2008  ·  Carmen Balber

There’s a slew of stories today about the <a href="http://www.sacbee.com/111/story/796609.html">biggest campaign fine in FPPC history</a>: a $350K fine issued to State Senator Carole Migden (they’ll be meeting tomorrow afternoon to...

Auto Insurers’ Rate Cuts a Result of Prop. 103

March 19, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

Two of the state's biggest auto insurance companies have reduced their charges to customers under provisions of Proposition 103, a voter initiative that turns 20 years old this year.<br/> <br/> On Friday, the Auto Club of Southern California...

Insurance Rates to Drop in April

March 19, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

Nearly 2 million Allstate Auto Insurance customers will see their rates drop nearly 16 percent in April under a recent order by California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner.<br/> <br/> The order is expected to result in average savings of...

Poizner Orders Allstate to Cut Auto Rates 15.9%

March 19, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p> SACRAMENTO, CA -- California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner said Allstate must slash its automobile insurance rates nearly 16%, an average savings per auto of about $124.<br/> <br/> "California's consumers deserve a...</p>

Allstate Must Cut Car Rates in State

March 19, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

Allstate Corp., which covers about 1 of every 10 insured cars in California, has been ordered to cut its automobile rates by 15.9% -- an average savings of $124 per car, state Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner said Tuesday.<br/> <br/> The...

Quarter Billion Price Cut for Allstate Customers in California

March 19, 2008  ·  Doug Heller

<p> Here's good financial news for folks at a time when it seems like the economic sky is falling: Allstate has to lower its auto insurance rates by about $250 million in California, in order to comply with the 1988 insurance reform... </p>

Insurers Urge Independent Panel for Appeals of Rescission

March 18, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p> LOS ANGELES, CA -- Reeling from public outrage and lawsuits over the practice of canceling policyholders' medical coverage after they fall ill, health plans are pushing aggressively for legislation that would let dropped patients appeal...</p>