Insurance

Health care for all in Mass.;

April 13, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>A law signed yesterday calls for the 515,000 uninsured residents to have insurance by 2010.</h3><p class="source">The Philadelphia Inquirer</p> <p>Critics claim the new law lacks adequate funding and cost controls that would assure long-term success. They fear that Massachusetts' high health-care costs ultimately could derail the measure. "If consumers are forced to pay for a policy that's not affordable, there's going to be another Boston tea party," said Jamie Court, president of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, a consumer watchdog group in Santa Monica, Calif.</p>

The legal lock on stem cells;

April 12, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Two patents that cover key research areas are setting back science.</h3><p class="source">The Los Angeles Times</p> <p>California doesn't have a lot of room to maneuver. The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, based in Santa Monica, has urged California's stem cell agency to challenge the Wisconsin patents. But patents are not easy to reverse, even when they are clearly contrary to the public interest. That's why Congress needs to act now to reform the U.S. patent system.</p>

Insurance counter-bill hits traffic

April 7, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Appeal-Democrat (California)</p> <p>"Over the last two decades, the insurance industry has used every type of scare tactic to stall insurance reform. Now, insurers have put $300,000 into the pockets of these five politicians who have introduced the latest scheme to block and maintain high rates for good drivers," FTCR Executive Director Douglas Heller said in a statement.</p>

Insurers well-braced for next California quake

April 6, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>Today, 86 percent of the state's homeowners have no earthquake insurance. CEA officials are hoping this month's 100th anniversary of the 1906 earthquake that destroyed San Francisco, along with the lessons of Hurricane Katrina, will prompt more to sign up. "The story of earthquake insurance in California is one of cut and run," said Doug Heller, executive director of the Foundation for Taxpayer & Consumer Rights, a frequent industry critic.</p>

Despite year of catastrophic losses from hurricanes, insurance companies still made record profits

April 5, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">CBS TV National Evening News</p> <p>Mr. HARVEY ROSENFIELD (Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights): They've used a national disasters like 9/11, natural disasters like Katrina and phony excuses like "too many lawsuits", to jack up people's premiums.</p>

Insurers Saw Record Gains in Year of Catastrophic Loss;

April 5, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>They say the profits are a fluke, but the industry has worked to shift risk to clients and the public.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>California Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi said: "The insurance industry is running away from risk, and leaving policyholders holding the bag."</p>

GEICO settles suit, must pay refunds

April 4, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Monterey County Herald (California)</p> <p>The lawsuits against GEICO and the other insurers contend their discount policies favoring California drivers with proof of prior insurance violated Proposition 103, an insurance regulation initiative adopted by voters in 1988.</p>

Small-business insurance groups likely;

April 3, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>After seven flops, Senate on verge of acceptance</h3><p class="source">Arizona Daily Star</p> <p>Opponents of the association health plans argue the current legislation will let insurers in the new plans ignore certain state mandates so long as they offer at least one comprehensive benefit equal to those provided to state employees by the five most populous states.</p>

What drives insurance rates?

April 2, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Commissioner John Garamendi wants to pin poor drivers; companies defend ZIP code method</h3><p class="source">The San Diego Union-Tribune</p> <p>Doug Heller, a longtime insurance industry critic who heads the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights in Santa Monica, said that good urban drivers are subsidizing bad rural drivers with their higher insurance rates."It's outrageous that drivers who cause accidents pay less than a good driver like me, just because they have different ZIP codes," Heller said. </p>

Committee ends stalemate on health plan bill

April 1, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Long Island Business News</p> <p>The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, a Santa Monica, Calif.-based consumer advocacy group, believes health-care costs would increase under the plan because patients would be forced to pay out of pocket for medically necessary treatment that insurers would no longer need to cover.</p>

Stem cell institute may sell naming rights to wealthy donors

March 31, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>Whatever the analogy, there's little precedent for a California agency raising money in this way, and the plan has raised concern among the stem cell agency's critics. "If they aren't careful, they are going to be seen as selling out to biotech," said John Simpson of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights.</p>

Garamendi To Probe Blue Cross’ Practices

March 30, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p> California regulators said Wednesday that they would investigate accusations by 10 patients that Blue Cross has a system to retroactively cancel health coverage for members after they need expensive medical care.<br/> <br/> State...</p>