Insurance

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>

Insurance firms contribute big to Bustamante;

March 30, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>$120,000 given to candidate who would regulate the industry</h3><p class="source">THE SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE</p> <p>"Any candidate for commissioner who wants the faith of California voters and consumers has to reject all contributions and favors from the industry -- period," said Doug Heller, executive director of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights. "There are no exceptions, there are no excuses, because contributions and gifts come with the expectations that you will not regulate," he said.</p>

Out-of-State Facility Demands Part of Stem Cell Research Royalties;

March 30, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Move by University of Wisconsin could stifle research here. Profits from studies were supposed to be funneled into California's coffers.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Patient advocates and taxpayer watchdogs are insisting that the public dollars not be spent without ample public oversight -- and monetary public benefit. Californians "never intended a blank check for biotech," said John M. Simpson of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights. "The state should hold the patents."</p>

Organizations, Health Plans and State Officials Opposed to Junk Insurance Bill: S. 1955 (Enzi, R-WY)

March 29, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

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