Insurance

Key stem cell patents revoked

April 3, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">New Scientist Magazine</p> <p>The examiners said the Wisconsin cells -- based on the work of James Thomson at the University of Wisconsin-Madison -- appeared to be either the same or obvious variations of cells described in previous patents issued to others or published in scientific papers. The decision came as the result of a challenge filed in July 2006 by the US Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights (FTCR) and the Public Patent Foundation.</p>

Patents on stem cells limited;

April 3, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>California nonprofit groups had argued research foundation claimed too much credit for process.</h3><p class="source">Sacramento Bee (California)</p> <p>"What this means for researchers in California and elsewhere is that they don't have to put up the mortgage to conduct their research," said Jamie Court, president of the Santa Monica-based Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, one of the nonprofit groups in the middle of the patent fight. "It's a great day for science."</p>

3 Patents on Stem Cells Are Revoked in Initial Review

April 3, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The New York Times</p> <p>The Public Patent Foundation, which seeks to overturn patents it believes are not in the public interest, sought the re-examination last July. It acted with the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, a California consumer group that said the patents could impede that state's $3 billion stem cell research program.</p>

Patent office throws out key stem cell patents

April 2, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">San Francisco Business Times</p> <p>The two groups challenging the patents argued that the work done by University of Wisconsin researcher James Thomson to isolate stem cell lines was obvious in the light of previous scientific research, making his work unpatentable. To receive a patent, something must be new, useful and non-obvious. The Patent and Trademark office agreed with the groups in a decision issued March 30, but received today.</p>

Taking the initiative on curbing health cost

March 30, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Now, the Foundation for Taxpayer & Consumer Rights is determined to force health insurance companies to take similar steps every time they want to boost premiums. This will be especially crucial if, as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has proposed, all Californians are mandated to purchase medical coverage. "We see this as the Proposition 103 for healthcare," says Jamie Court, president of the foundation, which has been quietly drafting an initiative that it aims to place on the February 2008 ballot.</p>

Coverage for all

March 25, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Sacramento Bee (California)</p> <p>This health insurance market, the one for individuals or families who don't automatically get covered through their jobs, is sick. Insurers try to avoid covering people who need care. And many Californians avoid getting insurance until it is in their financial interest to do so. It's a game, and the game must end somehow. That can only happen by blowing up the individual health insurance market that exists today and replacing it with something that makes more sense. And that can only happen with the California Legislature and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.</p>

AT&T Keeps on Giving

March 23, 2007  ·  Carmen Balber

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">AT&T continues to pony up cash in appreciation of the governor's signature on legislation <a href="http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=3223">deregulating the pay-tv market</a> in...</font>

Blue Cross cancellations called illegal;

March 23, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>The health insurer 'routinely' dropped the policies of pregnant or ill clients, an agency finds. The company disputes the charge.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Jerry Flanagan, a patient advocate with the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, said the investigation's findings should help the department move forward in its effort to develop regulations to clarify the law and toughen sanctions for rescission scofflaws.</p>

State regulators fine Blue Cross of California $1 million for canceling policies

March 23, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>"A $1 million fine for 100 cases makes business sense for Blue Cross because of the profit levels of the company," said Jerry Flanagan, a patient advocate with the Foundation for Consumer and Taxpayer Rights. "Blue Cross is reaping millions in savings by not paying for care."</p>

State targets fraud scams;

March 21, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Insurance chief says consumers pick up the tab for crimes.</h3><p class="source">Sacramento Bee</p> <p>"He gathers information and is painstaking in his deliberative decision-making process. It's a different approach than a lot of elected officials," said consumer activist Harvey Rosenfield, founder of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumers Rights and author of the landmark auto insurance measure, Proposition 103. "He's kept his campaign pledge not to undermine the rules and regulations that have been previously put in place," Rosenfield said about moves by former Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi to revamp the way auto insurance rates are set.</p>

Big oil, big row;

March 20, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Environmentalists are determined not to let oil companies 'greenwash' their image through tie-ups with some of America's top universities</h3><p class="source">The Guardian Unlimited (UK)</p> <p>"BP is clearly looking for a place to wash itself clean and green and UC Berkeley shouldn't be that place," complained Jamie Court, the president of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, an advocacy organization asking Berkeley officials to cancel the deal if BP insisted on exclusive patent rights and retained the ability to advertise the partnership.</p>

Device may cool prices at pump

March 15, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Oakland Tribune (California)</p> <p>The "hot fuel" issue, as it's called, is a growing controversy. Some experts say it's not a problem, while watchdog groups, including the California-based Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, say motorists are being gouged.</p>