Insurance

Low-cost car insurance expands: State-sponsored program adds 3 Lode counties

October 3, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Record (Stockton, California)</p> <p>Doug Heller, executive director of the Santa Monica-based Foundation for Consumer and Taxpayer Rights, which has advocated for the low-cost program since before its inception, took note of the small number of policyholders compared with the large number of uninsured. "The problem with the program is not the program. It's the awareness factor. Then they have to find an agent on the list willing to sell the insurance. Insurance agents don't make a lot of money on this product, so they're not real interested in pushing it," Heller said.</p>

In Chico, State Insurance Commissioner Talks About Changes He’s Making

October 2, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

A businessman who entered politics for the first time last year, Poizner is the only Republican, aside from the governor, who holds a major statewide office. He called a news conference in front of the Department of Motor Vehicles in Chico to announce an expansion in the state's low-cost auto insurance program. It's designed for low-income people who are good drivers.

Gov Ducks Hard Questions about GM

September 25, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">Governor Schwarzenegger continued his closed door policy today when he <a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/search/ci_6976232?">refused to allow aides to testify at a Senate investigative...</a> </font>

Mandatory health insurance? No sale

September 25, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Forcing citizens to buy an expensive, unregulated private product is nothing less than taxation without representation. If California were to follow the Massachusetts model for mandatory private insurance purchase (the only one in the United States), Californians would have to prove on their tax returns that they were insured or face tax penalties.</p>

Mandatory health insurance? No sale

September 25, 2007  ·  Jamie Court

<p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Forcing citizens to buy an expensive, unregulated private product is nothing less than taxation without representation. If California were to follow the Massachusetts model for mandatory private insurance purchase (the only one in the United States), Californians would have to prove on their tax returns that they were insured or face tax penalties.</p>

Schwarzenegger, Democratic leaders close to deal on health care reform

September 23, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">THE SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE (California)</p> <p>Health care companies and trade groups are also big spenders. Since 2003, the health care industry has spent $110 million on lobbying at the Capitol, according to the secretary of state. A recent analysis by the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights found that six of the state's largest insurers and two health insurance trade groups gave more than $4 million to state officeholders since 2001.</p>

Touring on whose dime?

September 23, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Desert Sun (Palm Springs, California)</p> <p>If the trips benefit the state's official interests, then the state should pay, said Doug Heller of the nonprofit Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights. "If California politicians need to leave the state to do their work, then the state taxpayers should pay for it," Heller said. "If politicians can't convince the public of the value of a trip, then they shouldn't be going on it." Heller said legislators also shouldn't be able to pay for overseas trips with campaign funds because it gives special interests another avenue to influence lawmakers. His group favors public financing of campaigns.</p>

Bush, Schwarzenegger differ on global-warming approach

September 20, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Copley News Service</p> <p>Some consumer watchdogs also criticized Linda Adams, the governor's top environmental adviser, and others for taking a spring trip to Europe financed by the California Climate Action Registry, which receives funding from regulated industries. Some business leaders also joined the trip, giving them access to decision-makers. "Big-business opponents of greenhouse gas reductions bought high-quality face time," said Carmen Balber of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights.</p>

Mandatory health care won’t curb costs

September 18, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Marketplace Morning Report - NPR Radio (American Public Media)</p> <p>Presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton laid out her plan for health care yesterday, which includes mandatory health insurance. But commentator Jamie Court says demanding more cost-effective coverage would be a better solution.</p>

Mandatory health care won’t curb costs

September 18, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Marketplace Morning Report - NPR Radio (American Public Media)</p> <p>Presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton laid out her plan for health care yesterday, which includes mandatory health insurance. But commentator Jamie Court says demanding more cost-effective coverage would be a better solution.</p>

Senator Hillary Clinton has new health care plan;

September 18, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">TODAY SHOW - NBC-TV News (7AM EST)</p> <p>AUER: Let me read you something: Jamie Court, who's the president for the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, told Newsweek magazine. He said, quote, "There's nobody in this race with her knowledge to make health care available to every American at a cheaper cost, but it would take going after the insurance industry that's funding her candidacy." In fact, some of your competitors have said you've taken more money from the insurance industry than any other candidate. So the question is, is there a conflict looming on the horizon? Are you losing some leverage in asking these insurance companies to get on board and make tough choices?</p>

Hillary Clinton Announces Health Care Plan

September 18, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">CNN-TV AMERICAN MORNING (7AM EST)</p> <p>ROBERTS: There are some people who are critical still of this idea of mandating this individual mandate. The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, for example, has declared it a war on the middle class. </p>