Insurance

Lawyers Slam Blue Cross Settlement

May 17, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Los Angeles Daily Journal</p> <p>Jerry Flanagan of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights said, "Blue Cross is now agreeing to live by the letter of the law. "But the fact that they will not reinstate rescinded policies is absolutely reprehensible. Those people are now uninsurable unless the DMHC, as the regulator, requires Blue Cross to reinstate."</p>

Court Rejects Mercury Insurance Overcharge Case Settlement for Second Time

May 17, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">City News Service (Los Angeles, CA)</p> <p>Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Victoria Chaney turned down the proposed deal on Tuesday in part because it would have allowed Mercury Insurance to offer $45 coupons requiring policyholders to buy more insurance from the company instead of refunding the alleged $76 million in overcharges, according to the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights.</p>

Democrats prescribe bigger health levy

May 16, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>"Four million people in a bulk purchasing pool isn't going to drive down premiums," said Jamie Court, president of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, a Santa Monica advocacy group that is pressing for insurance rates to be directly regulated by the state.</p>

California Democrats unveil health plans;

May 16, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>PROPOSED FEE WORRIES BUSINESSES</h3><p class="source">San Jose Mercury News (California)</p> <p>For example, the Democrats assume it would cost $224 a month to insure a person covered by the state insurance pool -- a price significantly lower than the average private health insurance plan. Democrats said the state can use its financial might to leverage lower rates from insurers, but others argue that's naive. The Democratic proposals "overestimate the willingness of insurers to offer lower premiums," said Jamie Court, president of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, who is calling on the state to regulate health insurance premiums.</p>

Expose state’s stem cell funding to sunlight

May 15, 2007  ·  John M. Simpson

<p class="source">Baltimore Sun (Maryland)</p> <p>Stem cell research is such a potentially contentious field, so fraught with political minefields, that it is imperative the public funding process be completely transparent. For the long-term benefit of the research, every opportunity to build public faith in the Maryland commission's procedures must be taken.</p>

Expose state’s stem cell funding to sunlight

May 15, 2007  ·  John M. Simpson

<p class="source">Baltimore Sun (Maryland)</p> <p>Stem cell research is such a potentially contentious field, so fraught with political minefields, that it is imperative the public funding process be completely transparent. For the long-term benefit of the research, every opportunity to build public faith in the Maryland commission's procedures must be taken.</p>

CONSUMER-DRIVEN PLANS DON’T HAVE SEAL OF APPROVAL UNDER MASS. HEALTH REFORM LAW

May 14, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">BestWire</p> <p>"Some people may be able to afford these plans, but many will be left out in the cold," said Carmen Balber, a consumer advocate with the California-based Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights. With one of the cheapest plans, a 56-year-old would pay $5,600 a year, she said. That person would have to pay 35% coinsurance, she said, noting many of the plans rely heavily on coinsurance.</p>

State Farm donates to governor’s fund;

May 12, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>With the $25,000 contribution, the insurer gains direct access to Schwarzenegger.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>"Gov. Schwarzenegger has so monetized politics that even companies like State Farm that have a long-standing policy of not giving to politicians feel they have to give to be in the governor's game," said Douglas Heller, executive director of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, a Santa Monica group.</p>

Allstate ends home policy sales in state;

May 11, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>The company says fire risks prompted the move. A legislator calls into question the firm's 'good hands' claim.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Douglas Heller, president of the Foundation for Taxpayer & Consumer Rights in Santa Monica, suggested that the commissioner ban Allstate from returning fully to the homeowners market for at least 10 years. "It would be completely unfair to California customers if Allstate tries to treat the California market like an accordion, coming in when business is good and then walking out," he said.</p>

Blue Cross makes policy about-face

May 11, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Jerry Flanagan, an advocate with the Santa Monica-based Foundation for Consumer and Taxpayer Rights, said the deal was a step in the right direction. But, he said, the problem won't go away unless regulators require health plans to prove to them that an applicant intentionally lied before any rescission is final. The proposed settlement maintains policyholders' current right to appeal to regulators only after a cancellation.</p>

Allstate: No new policies in state;

May 11, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>California's third-biggest home insurer cites fear of natural disasters</h3><p class="source">Sacramento Bee (California)</p> <p>Consumer advocates blasted Allstate, accusing it of trying to pressure the state to approve the proposed rate increase. "Allstate is issuing this decision to leave in part to bully the regulators and lawmakers into letting them continue to gouge their customers," said Doug Heller of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights in Santa Monica. "Their threat won't get them much. I don't think Californians will miss them."</p>

Chevron Donation Criticized

May 11, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">CSNews.com</p> <p>"It is astonishing that no one in Schwarzenegger's office, or the governor himself, could see that this stinks to high heaven," said Judy Dugan, research director of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights and <a href="http://www.oilwatchdog.org">OilWatchdog.org</a>. "California is gripped by the highest gasoline prices in the nation as Chevron has doubled its profit margin on making gasoline in the West. Chevron's donation can only be seen as a big thank-you for the governor's silence on the issue."</p>