Insurance

UC Signs BP Contract, Research Already Underway

November 16, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Berkeley Daily Planet (California)</p> <p>John Simpson of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights (FTCR) said he was particularly concerned because the contract gives BP more control of the EBI and research than envisioned in the original proposal. "BP can thwart any action they wish," said Simpson. "And given the despicable record of BP, which killed 15 of its workers in Texas and spilled oil all over Alaska because of unreasonable cost cutting, why should we believe the oil giant would act in good faith? They have demonstrated time and again that they act only in their own narrow interest."</p>

Insurance chief hires top legal enforcer – and gets some static

November 15, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Sacramento Bee (California)</p> <p>Cole's selection, however, was questioned by one consumer group. It also follows a call by the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights for Poizner to fire his special counsel, William Gausewitz, a former industry lobbyist accused of trying to help insurance avoid paying thousands in court fees during a legal fight over insurance rates.</p>

Donations influence admissions at UCLA’s elite orthodontics program

November 15, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Daily Bruin (UCLA)</p> <p>Many worry such grants surrender undue influence to private interests, compromising the integrity of university research. "The university is digging everywhere it can to find new sources of revenue," said John Simpson, a consumer advocate at the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights. "In that process, they're selling the soul of higher education to the highest bidder."</p>

Berkeley’s Pact With BP for Research Institute Gives Company Favorable Terms on Intellectual Property

November 15, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Chronicle of Higher Education</p> <p>One of those groups, the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, reiterated that criticism on Wednesday in a blistering news release that called the deal a sellout of the university's values and an insult to the California Board of Regents and the public. Because four of the eight seats on the governing board will be controlled by BP, the company can block proposed research from going forward, the foundation said in its release.</p>

Split views on Poizner pick;

November 15, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>A lawyer whose firm has represented foes of Proposition 103 is named the insurance commission's counsel.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Harvey Rosenfield, who endorsed Poizner when he ran for insurance commissioner last year, said he was particularly troubled that Cole's appointment followed the naming earlier this year of former insurance industry lobbyist Bill Gausewitz as the commissioner's special legal counsel for policy issues. Rosenfield this month called on Poizner to fire Gausewitz. He contended that Gausewitz "covertly" helped insurers in a lawsuit they brought against the commissioner.</p>

Insurance chief picks new counsel

November 15, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">San Jose Mercury News (California)</p> <p>Harvey Rosenfield, a leading consumer rights advocate and author of Proposition 103, said he's far from convinced that Cole's hiring settles the bias concerns. He said Poizner, a multimillionaire who refused insurance-industry donations during his campaign, has broken his promise to have a true consumer advocate among his senior staff. Noting that Cole represented businesses in claims against insurers, Rosenfield called Cole a "corporate lawyer" and said, "He's not a consumer advocate."</p>

After Fires, Homeowners Feel an Insurance Pinch

November 13, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The New York Times</p> <p>After past disasters, California state officials tried to raise homeowners' awareness of their coverage limits by requiring policies to be written clearly and with disclaimers about what is not covered. But several national studies suggest that many homeowners tend to underestimate risk and do not understand that their policies do not guarantee replacement of their homes. "Most Americans still think that full coverage means full coverage, but insurance companies know otherwise,'' said Douglas Heller, executive director of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, an advocacy organization.</p>

Secrecy & Conflicts: Amid Success and Shortfalls, California’s Stem Cell Agency Reaches for Cures

November 11, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Sacramento Bee (California)</p> <p>For much of CIRM's life, John M. Simpson, stem cell project director for the nonprofit Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights in Santa Monica, has taken part in the institute's policy development. He has both praised and criticized the agency. "Now," he says, "they've got to get out of the entrepreneurial start-up mode, behave as the state agency they in fact are. That means a true commitment to openness and transparency in all deliberations, rather than grudging lip service and hiding behind the idea 'scientists know best.' After substantial accomplishments CIRM must settle in for the long haul. It's a marathon now, not a sprint."</p>

Price of oil seen as sign commodities bubble near;

November 11, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Run-up in price of oil is partly Fed's fault</h3><p class="source">The San Diego Union-Tribune</p> <p>As they did with the run-up in the stock market in the late 1990s and the housing market in the early 2000s, speculators are pumping money into the investment vehicle with the greatest growth potential. And for the time being, that appears to be oil. "Of course it's a bubble," said Judy Dugan, a specialist on oil issues at the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights in Santa Monica. "Of course it's driven by speculators. It's insane for an economy our size to be held hostage by unregulated speculation."</p>

Group says Allstate overcharges California drivers;

November 5, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Nearly two million drivers affected</h3><p class="source">KGO-TV ABC-7 News - San Francisco, CA</p> <p>The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights says Allstate's claims of potential financial hardship are not credible. "Last year in 2006 Allstate had net profits of $5 billion dollars. We should all have that kind of deep financial hardship," said attorney Daniel Zohar.</p>

Poizner urged to get rid of aide;

November 2, 2007  ·  Harvey Rosenfield

<h3>A key Department of Insurance attorney is accused of cozying up to the industry.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Consumer advocates called Thursday for state Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner to fire one of his top aides "because he covertly assisted insurance companies in a lawsuit they brought against the commissioner." Harvey Rosenfield, a Santa Monica lawyer who wrote the landmark Proposition 103 insurance initiative, said that electronic mail messages obtained under the California Public Records Act show that Poizner's special legal counsel, Bill Gausewitz, colluded with the insurance industry in its effort to avoid paying $300,000 in legal fees.</p>

Consumer Group Demands That Insurance Commissioner Fire Attorney

November 2, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights said it obtained a series of e-mails showing that William Gausewitz secretly collaborated with insurers to file a declaration in court. It says the document supported the insurers' claim that court costs should be paid by the state, not them.</p>