Insurance

How BP scouted about for a PR counterattack

March 8, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">THE FINANCIAL TIMES</p> <p>BP is not alone in an industry known for extensive government lobbying, but its efforts offer an insight into how the British company successfully lobbied against tighter environmental controls by state regulators, saving up to $US150 million in monitoring and equipment upgrades prior to the fatal Texas City refinery explosion in 2005.</p>

Universal Health Plans Take Wrong Approach

March 8, 2007  ·  Jamie Court

<p class="source">Southern California Public Radio (89.3FM KPCC Pasadena, CA)</p> <p>The state legislature is considering proposals by the Governor and legislative leaders to provide health insurance for all Californians. Commentator Jamie Court says unfortunately the debate is less about what Sacramento can do for us, than about what politicians can do for their biggest contributors.</p>

Universal Health Plans Take Wrong Approach

March 8, 2007  ·  Jamie Court

<p class="source">Southern California Public Radio (89.3FM KPCC Pasadena, CA)</p> <p>The state legislature is considering proposals by the Governor and legislative leaders to provide health insurance for all Californians. Commentator Jamie Court says unfortunately the debate is less about what Sacramento can do for us, than about what politicians can do for their biggest contributors.</p>

Class Action: Cell users pursue claims;

March 3, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Former customers of AT&T Wireless say service quality fell after the Cingular merger.</h3><p class="source">Tulsa World (Oklahoma)</p> <p>Harvey Rosenfield, who is co-counsel for the plaintiffs and founder of the Los Angles-based Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, said the wireless phone contracts are representative of a range of contracts that limit consumers' rights. "We have received an enormous amount of complaints from members of the public," Rosenfield said in a telephone interview. "According to Cingular, the lawsuit should be thrown out be cause every AT&T customer who moved to Cingular agreed to have every dispute handled by arbitration. According to Cingular, they forfeited their right to a lawsuit."</p>

Stem cell audit finds need for changes;

February 28, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Institute will comply on all but one request</h3><p class="source">The San Diego Union-Tribune</p> <p>"It's hard for me to determine whether this is the auditors being overly demanding or the institute continuing to do what it has done in the past -- oppose all attempts to make it conduct its business in the open sunshine of the public," said Jerry Flanagan, of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, which has been keeping tabs on the institute.</p>

Mandatory Health Insurance

February 28, 2007  ·  Jamie Court

<p class="source">Southern California Public Radio (KPCC 89.3 FM Pasadena, CA)</p> <p>The state legislature is considering proposals by the Governor and legislative leaders to provide health insurance for all Californians. Commentator Jamie Court says unfortunately the debate is less about what Sacramento can do for us, than about what politicians can do for their biggest contributors.</p>

In Insurance Companies We Trust

February 27, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">During his news conference at the National Press Club (<a href="http://npc.press.org/">get webcast here</a>) in Washington Monday, the Gov fielded lots of softballs from the smitten D.C. press...</font>

IMAGE MAKEOVER; With its industry under fire and talk of reform on rise, WellPoint sets out to win over consumers

February 25, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Indianapolis Star (Indiana)</p> <p>"WellPoint is willing to pay big to keep its name out of the headlines rather than fix internal processes to better serve patients," said Jerry Flanagan, health-care policy director for the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights. "Sitrick is known in the industry as the best firm to keep you out of the news."</p>

Kuehl wants bigger revenues for state’s stem-cell institute;

February 23, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>FIRMS DOING BUSINESS WITH INSTITUTE SHOULD PAY MORE</h3><p class="source">The San Jose Mercury News (California)</p> <p>John Simpson of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights said he fears the bill may not go far enough, particularly in ensuring that any products developed from the stem-cell grants be made available to Californians at reasonable prices. While cautioning that he hasn't seen the measure's language yet, "I think Kuehl's bill would increase payback to the state, but doesn't do enough to ensure affordable access for all Californians,'' he said. "There should be a provision that if there are unreasonable prices, the attorney general can intervene.''</p>

No signs governor will moderate fundraising

February 23, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Ventura County Star (California)</p> <p>Carmen Balber, with the Foundation for Consumer and Taxpayer Rights: "The governor, who promised to clean up Sacramento, can't make any more excuses. With no upcoming election and no initiatives on the ballot, Arnold doesn't have to keep playing the fundraising game he claims to despise."</p>

THE POLICYHOLDER STRIKES BACK

February 23, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Marketplace Money (American Public Media)</p> <p>JERRY FLANAGAN (HEALTH POLICY SPECIALIST, FTCR): If you get that mailer in the mail and it says the insurance company is not gonna pay, call them up and then there's a five-step process you need to go through to make sure the insurance company is paying what it should.</p>

Massachusetts Rushing To Meet Health Insurance Reform Deadlines

February 19, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">National Underwriter - Life & Health Edition</p> <p>An out-of-state group, the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, Santa Monica, Calif., has argued that Massachusetts should make health care providers, health insurers and health maintenance organizations justify their prices rather than cutting minimum creditable coverage rates by cutting program benefits.</p>