Insurance

Prognosis Is Mixed for Health Savings;

January 26, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Though Enrollment Grows, Many Don't Bother to Save</h3><p class="source">The New York Times</p> <p>For those who criticized the idea of health savings plans from the start, the early results simply confirm their gloomier forecasts. The critics say this approach is increasing many people's out-of-pocket expenses and warn that it will make them less likely to seek routine preventive care that might stave off bigger problems down the road.</p>

‘Pirates’ spread healthcare message

January 26, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">UPI - United Press International</p> <p>"Our goal is to focus on young people who don't necessarily think about healthcare but are paying into the system nonetheless," Jerry Flanagan of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights told UPI.</p>

WellPoint triples its profit;

January 26, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Largest health insurer benefits from 2004 merger</h3><p class="source">THE SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE</p> <p>"When Wall Street analysts talk about efficiencies, they're talking about more money for HMO profits, not better care," said Jerry Flanagan, health care policy director for the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, which is based in Santa Monica.</p>

Darlene and Dave Henderson

January 26, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Couple Struggles Through Multiple Surgeries, Only To Find Insurer Won't Pay</h3>

Sacramento’s scandal-in-waiting

January 25, 2006  ·  Jamie Court

<p> The following op-ed commentary by JAMIE COURT, author of "Corporateering", and president of the Santa Monica-based Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, was published in the Los Angles Times on Tuesday, January 24,...</p>

FTCR’s 2006 Insurance Reform Proposal

January 25, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Stop Insurance Company Abuses Act</h3>

Nurses Propose Donor Limits

January 24, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>The union, a foe of the governor, wants to ban corporate donations for candidates and ballot measures and create a public-financing system.</h3><p class="source">The Los Angeles Times</p> <p>The measure would ban corporate donations to candidates and to ballot-measure fights, and create a system of public financing for those running for office. Candidates who rejected the financing could accept only relatively small contributions -- $500 for legislative races, $1,000 for statewide offices. </p>

Sacramento’s scandal-in-waiting

January 24, 2006  ·  Jamie Court

<p class="source">The Los Angeles Times</p> <p>The Abramoff scandal has proved nothing if not that the line between public and private service needs to be clear and bright. And it reminds us that the nexus of politics and money in the state capital is cancerous to the body politic and to the creation of good public policy.</p>

Outline for stem cell funding has provisions for uninsured;

January 24, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>State's task force preparing guidelines</h3><p class="source">The San Diego Union-Tribune</p> <p>As requested by two consumer watchdog groups, the task force's proposed policy includes provisions that would make drugs available to under-served Californians and also try to recoup some of the taxpayers' investment.</p>

Stem Cell Intellectual Property Policy: “Affordability, Accessibility and Accountability in California Stem Cell Research.”

January 23, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

Report on affordability, accessibility and accountability on intellectual property policy in California stem cell research. <!-- excerpt -->

Measure Seeks Curbs on Insurers

January 21, 2006  ·  Harvey Rosenfield

<h3> <strong>A leading consumer advocate presses an initiative that could compete with a ballot proposal offered by an industry executive.</strong></h3> <p class="source"> <em>The Los Angeles Times</em></p> <p> SACRAMENTO -- California voters may be in for a repeat of the 1988 ballot free-for-all that produced a landmark state insurance law.</p>

Group: Klein should quit

January 19, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Nonprofit claims 'pattern of leadership failures' by stem cell agency chief.</h3><p class="source">Sacramento Bee</p> <p>John M. Simpson, Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights stem cell project director, said this policy could deny affordable access to cures. He called for revamping the agency's structure rather than getting rid of Klein because the agency's problems "go beyond personalities."</p>