Insurance

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>

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>

Angelides vs. Schwarzenegger – The public trust;

October 30, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Latest ads in governor's race focus on integrity.</h3><p class="source">The Orange County Register (California)</p> <p>When he was elected, Arnold promised to end political games where "money goes in; favors go out." Then he raised more than $110 million for his campaigns. Schwarzenegger says he never promised not to take money.</p>

California initiative would limit corporate spending;

October 29, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Corporate contribution limits called ploy, fair</h3><p class="source">Sacramento Bee (California)</p> <p>A recent study by the Foundation for Taxpayer Rights, which supports Proposition 89, said the state's 10 top corporate donors had contributed half of the money raised for measures on the Nov. 7 ballot -- $132 million of $255 million, through Oct. 17.</p>

‘Orgy’ of spending on political ads — $500 million breaks state record

October 27, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">THE SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE</p> <p>"The amount of money being spent in 2006 blows away every other record," said Carmen Balber, spokeswoman with the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, based in Santa Monica. "We have the most prolific fundraising governor in state history and ballot measures that are attracting record amounts of spending. "It's a half billion dollars, and most of it is being spent to protect the status quo," she said.</p>

State planning to fire health care official;

October 27, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>He worked on OK for acquisition by group he invested in</h3><p class="source">THE SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE</p> <p>Jerry Flanagan, of the Foundation for Taxpayers and Consumer Rights, called on the state auditor to review the UnitedHealth-PacifiCare merger in light of the conflict-of-interest charge. "What this means is that it (the department's review) was a sham and the outcome had been decided before," he said.</p>

Blue Cross settles lawsuits;

October 19, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Patients claimed they were dumped by their insurer</h3><p class="source">THE SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE</p> <p>Consumer advocates said settlements and fines don't go far enough. "Blue Cross settling these 70 lawsuits doesn't protect tens and thousands of Californians at risk," said Jerry Flanagan of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights. "The only way to do this is for the regulators to establish new rules."</p>