Insurance

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>

Allstate Considers California Too Risky;

May 11, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Insurer to halt some new insurance coverage</h3><p class="source">Oakland Tribune (California)</p> <p>A consumer group said it was glad to see Allstate exit the new policy business for homeowners. The company was out of step with other insurers, said Carmen Balber, a consumer advocate with Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights. "Hasta la vista, Allstate," Balber said. "Consumers are better off without them." Rather than a 12 percent increase, Balber believes Allstate should cut rates 40 percent, for a savings of $426 a year for homeowners.</p>

Stanford disputes reports of researcher’s ties to Exxon-Mobil

May 11, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Stanford Daily via University Wire</p> <p>Simpson, FTCR's Stem Cell Project Director, said he was still concerned about any link to ExxonMobil, no matter how distant. "I'm essentially concerned that the overall well has been poisoned," Simpson told The Daily. "The science in that specific study could or could not be valid. Because Stanford takes $100 million from Exxon-Mobil, it's very difficult for people on the outside to take research that comes out of the university at face value."</p>

Allstate: No new policies for ‘catastrophe-prone’ California

May 11, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Home insurance risk described as too great</h3><p class="source">The San Diego Union-Tribune</p> <p>Carmen Balber, an advocate with the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, said that rather than a rate increase, "consumers should get a 40 decrease in rate from (Allstate)." Balber said Allstate paid out 33 cents in claims on every dollar in premiums it collected during 2005. "Allstate is clearly making money in this state," Balber said. "If the state doesn't want to lower rates for them, then we say, 'Hasta la vista, Allstate.' And don't expect California to welcome them back when they decide to come back."</p>

The Litiginator

May 8, 2007  ·  Carmen Balber

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">Arnold's personal love of lawsuits clashed yesterday with his efforts to limit consumers' legal rights when the gov announced his endorsement of legislation that attacked consumer protection...</font>

Kaiser income, revenue up for quarter

May 5, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Oakland Tribune (California)</p> <p>Critics are infuriated that Kaiser continues to rake in profits and raise rates each year. Kaiser implemented rate increases in January. The hike varies from employer to employer, but on average Kaiser officials estimate it to be in the low double digits.</p>

CAPITOL WATCHDOG: Traveling on someone else’s dime;

May 4, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>California lawmakers say privately funded junkets -- including treks to Japan, France and Greece -- help them make better policy decisions. Government watchdogs say the trips open a door to corporate influence peddling.</h3><p class="source">The Orange County Register (California)</p> <p>"It's extraordinarily frustrating," said Carmen Balber of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer and Rights. The foundation recently uncovered documents showing the value of the Japan trip. "You don't need a smoking gun in California to know a $10,000 gift to the Speaker of the Assembly is illegal," Balber said. "But the law does require that smoking gun if that $10,000 gift is funneled through a nonprofit organization. And that's absurd."</p>