Insurance

Stem-cell overseers face built-in conflict

November 22, 2006  ·  John M. Simpson

<p class="source">The San Jose Mercury News (California)</p> <p>The stem-cell oversight committee is going to have to decide. Though the committee has the word "independent'' in its official title, it's highly unlikely that the 13 institutional representatives will act in any way that is independent of the interests of their employers. And, as has been repeatedly demonstrated, what is best for the state's universities and research institutions is by no means necessarily what's best for all Californians. Those representing the institutions that want the money ought not set the rules for how they get it. Unfortunately, that's not what Proposition 71 provides.</p>

We’ve been here before…

November 18, 2006  ·  Carmen Balber

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">Arnold has formed a fundraising committee for what he calls his <a href="http://www.joinarnold.com/site/apps/nl/content2.asp?c=jkIVLdMTJrE&b=2255259&ct=3257673">"first and only...</a> </font>

HMOs to face stricter rule;

November 14, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>A state agency plans a move that would make it harder for insurers to drop sick policyholders.</h3><p class="source">The Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Randolph disclosed Ehnes' plans in response to a petition the department received Monday from consumer advocates. The petition demanded that the agency move to stop the industrywide practice of canceling policies over misinformation in applications, whether or not the policyholder intended to lie. The petition was filed by the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, which says a 1993 state law clearly prohibits the cancellation of health insurance unless a company can prove "willful misrepresentation."</p>

Glitches hit cable switch

November 11, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Time Warner, swamped with complaints, tries to mollify former Adelphia and Comcast customers.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Time Warner Cable has been so inundated with complaints as it has taken over neighborhoods formerly served by Comcast and Adelphia that the company is slowing its rollout and offering discounts and freebies to mollify customers.</p>

Measures opposed by special interest defeated;

November 9, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The San Jose Mercury News (California)</p> <p>"This makes the case for why we need curbs on initiative spending,'' said Jamie Court, president of the Santa Monica-based Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights. "Every initiative with money against it went down. It was the money that spoke. Right now, it's a process unusable for anyone except people that have money. That's not democracy, that's a market.''</p>

Los Angeles Paper Ousts Top Editor

November 8, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The New York Times</p> <p>The news of Mr. Baquet's ouster prompted a local group, the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, to urge subscribers to tell the Tribune Company to stop further cuts at the paper or to risk cancellation of their subscriptions. Jamie Court, president of the group, which is nonpartisan and nonprofit, also scolded the company for allowing the news to come out on a busy news day, saying, ''It is obvious that the owner of Los Angeles's largest news organization wanted to bury this news in the maelstrom of Election Day, even at the risk of shaking up its staff.''</p>

TIMES EDITOR IS OUT AFTER FIGHTING CUTS;

November 8, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Dean Baquet defied a corporate effort that he said would diminish quality.</h3><p class="source">The Los Angeles Times</p> <p>The activist group Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights demanded that Tribune rehire Baquet, back down from future cuts or sell the paper to local owners. Otherwise, it said, the public should cancel subscriptions by Jan. 1.</p>

Kaiser income increases

November 8, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Inside Bay Area (California)</p> <p>Although Kaiser sees challenges in its future, consumer advocate Jamie Court is a little more skeptical about Kaiser's predicament. "This is a company that has stashed away millions if not billions of dollars over the last decade, so if anyone can afford hard times, it is them," said Court, president of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights. "I think their cries are just code for, 'We want more from the government,' and I think the fact that elections are the same day has a lot to do with it."</p>

Matching the Mrs: Spouses and Special Interests

November 7, 2006  ·  Judy Dugan

Business interests who need to make sure the Gov's door stays open to them are still pouring money into his coffers. On average he's pulled in at least $95,000 a day since his 2003 campaign. He's way ahead of Gray Davis, who was booted for his...

Sprint Nextel rate increase gives some pretext to leave

November 6, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Kansas City Business Journal (Kansas & Missouri)</p> <p>Harvey Rosenfield, founder of The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, a consumer watchdog group based in Santa Monica, Calif., that frequently sues wireless companies, said any customer affected should be able to disconnect. "I don't think that Sprint Nextel has a prayer on this," Rosenfield said. "I think (consumers) can file suit."</p>

End this Stem Cell Racket;

November 1, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Once the Bush Administration policy is fixed, there's another problem that's at least as large. $400,000 per license to work with stem cells: outrageous</h3><p class="source">The Scientist Magazine</p> <p>Let's apply pressure to change the current policy on embryonic stem cells. November 7th's midterm elections may provide an opportunity to do that. But let's also look at supposed proponents of such research and see whether their intellectual property rights are holding things up. If they are, time to make that change too. Sometimes the enemy is us.</p>

Build public trust in stem cell institute

November 1, 2006  ·  John M. Simpson

<p class="source">The Sacramento Bee (California)</p> <p>The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine is going to dole out $3 billion in taxpayer money over the next decade to support the state's stem cell researchers. Everyone concerned claims they want a transparent process to ensure that awards are based on scientific merit, not favoritism and cronyism. Despite mouthing high-minded slogans, the institute's leaders frequently miss the mark whenever there is a clear opportunity to transact the public's business in public. Bottom line: They want our money. They must tell us who they are and ask for it in public</p>