Insurance

Races to Put a New Face on Capitol;

May 15, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>With term limits, the Assembly will see an influx of newcomers, while a band of moderates seeks Senate seats held by liberals.</h3><p class="source">The Los Angeles Times</p> <p>"Historically the consumer groups and environmental groups have looked at the Senate as the house that will stand in the way of aggressively anti-consumer and anti-environmental bills even if the Assembly moved them through," said Doug Heller, Executive Director of FTCR in Santa Monica. "I think it's possible the new Senate won't be quite the goalie that the Senate in recent years has been," he said, "in terms of fending off these big business shots."</p>

Health bill caught in lobbying game

May 14, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">St. Louis Post-Dispatch (Missouri)</p> <p>For starters, Blue Cross's decision to sit this round out helped clear the path for Thursday's Senate vote; in previous years, the bill never made it out of committee, let alone to a full Senate vote. "Their (past) opposition to it has kept the bill from ever moving in the Senate," said Jerry Flanagan, of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, a California-based consumer advocacy organization.</p>

Junk health insurance bill would put big burden on families

May 11, 2006  ·  Judy Dugan

<p class="source">The Baltimore Sun</p> <p>May 11, 2006 A measure that is nearing a final vote in Congress would greatly expand the reach of insurers offering bare-bones plans that saddle policyholders with no cap on their payments once their paltry coverage limits are reached. Maryland, like New York and a few other states with strong consumer insurance protections, has so far been spared the misery inflicted by such junk insurance.</p>

INSURERS’ CONSOLIDATION FUELS DEBATE OVER RISING U.S. HEALTH COSTS

May 11, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">BestWire</p> <p>Despite health plans' historically high profit margins, premiums for patients keep rising without an expansion of benefits, Rohack said in his statement. The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, a California-based group, contends that health insurers spend 20% of premiums on "overhead," including profit and administration.</p>

Junk health insurance bill would put big burden on families

May 11, 2006  ·  Judy Dugan

<p class="source">The Baltimore Sun</p> <p>A measure that is nearing a final vote in Congress would greatly expand the reach of insurers offering bare-bones plans that saddle policyholders with no cap on their payments once their paltry coverage limits are reached. Maryland, like New York and a few other states with strong consumer insurance protections, has so far been spared the misery inflicted by such junk insurance.</p>

KATRINA AFTERMATH; Homeowners tell State Farm that one size doesn’t fit all;

May 10, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Lawsuit accuses insurer of using a single report to deny many claims</h3><p class="source">The Houston Chronicle</p> <p>A lawsuit filed Tuesday by nearly 700 Gulf Coast homeowners accuses State Farm Insurance Co. of using a "one-size-fits-all" engineering report as the basis for refusing to cover homes destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. </p>

The Insurance Showdown

May 10, 2006  ·  Harvey Rosenfield

<h3>Politicians are blocking a plan to base premiums on motorists' driving records rather than on where they live.</h3><p class="source">The Los Angeles Times</p> <p>By exposing the disease at the heart of our political system, Garamendi's announcement is likely to generate support for the cure: a voter initiative headed for the November ballot that would slash the influence of special interest money. It would cap corporate campaign contributions, including to initiative campaigns, and set up publicly funded elections. If that passes, the insurers' arrogant domination of California politics will be over. </p>

Insurance chief claims ‘blackmail’;

May 9, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>He wants probe, says industry leveled ad threat over auto plan.</h3><p class="source">Sacramento Bee (California)</p> <p>The Santa Monica-based Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, which supports Garamendi's auto insurance overhaul, said what the insurance commissioner described in his statement looks like blackmail and extortion -- a felony -- to it. "The industry has threatened the regulator," said spokesman Doug Heller. "The question here is: Who runs California? Elected officials or the Sopranos?"</p>

Top Dems contend for No. 2 post;

May 9, 2006  ·  Jamie Court

<h3>Insurance chief, two senators look to boost lieutenant governor's role</h3><p class="source">Contra Costa Times (California)</p> <p>California consumer activist Jamie Court is a seasoned observer of state government and politics. But this year's primary for lieutenant governor has him shaking his head. "It's kind of a disappointment that all three are running," said Court, who runs the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights. Although he doesn't endorse candidates, Court half-joked: "They're all too good for that lame office."</p>

Payment Due — Healthcare Headaches in America;

May 5, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Transcript of Show on Junk Health Insurance Plans Bill (S. 1955 - Enzi-R-WY)</h3><p class="source">PBS-TV: NOW Program</p> <p>The numbers are staggering -- 45 million Americans have no health insurance coverage. Most of those folks are working but their employers either don't offer health insurance or what they offer is too expensive. So some families grasp at straws -- cheaper policies that appear to offer the coverage they need, but don't. You're about to meet some people who learned in hardest possible way what can go wrong when an insurance policy and an illness don't line up. This at a time when there's new legislation in Congress that, if passed, would be the biggest reorganization of health insurance in decades. Consumer groups are worried it could make things worse. </p>

Trade associations see potential boon from AHP legislation

May 4, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Hill</p> <p>Trade associations will find a way to benefit from the plans financially, insists Carmen Balber of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights. "There's nothing in the bill that prevents associations from making money off these plans," she said. What constitutes "reasonable expenses" is not clearly defined, she said.</p>

Author throws punch at Allstate: Tough tactics alleged if payouts resisted

May 3, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Chicago Tribune</p> <p>Doug Heller, executive director of the watchdog group Foundation for Taxpayer & Consumer Rights, agrees with Berardinelli, saying that it is counterintuitive for an insurance company to treat its claims division as a profit center. "Insurance companies are supposed to make money by building a customer base, investing the premiums safely and doing a good job of underwriting so they have enough money to pay claims and maintain profits," Heller said.</p>