Insurance

Study Alleges Racial Bias in Auto Rates;

December 20, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Those in mostly black or Latino areas are found to pay more. Insurers dispute the data.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>"The challenge before John Garamendi is whether to end the lingering racism in our auto insurance system or let it linger for another decade," said Doug Heller, executive director of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights. </p>

Pursuing The Scarcer Moviegoers

December 17, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The New York Times</p> <p>Asked about the proposals, Douglas Heller, executive director of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, said that blocking phones might be a cure worse than the illness. ''It doesn't sound like it's a plan that's been really thought out,'' he said. ''There's a legitimate reaction against cellphone use in theaters, by moviegoers and theater owners. But I don't think the public is going to react very well to being handled in this way.''</p>

Shop carefully for health-care insurance

December 14, 2005  ·  Jamie Court

<p class="source">Marketplace Morning Report - NPR</p> <p>For some workers, it's time to choose a health plan for the coming year or make changes to the existing policy. At the same time health savings accounts and the like are giving people a lot more decisions to make about their health insurance. Consumer advocate Jamie Court says shopping for health care isn't like shopping for Christmas presents. Buyer, beware.</p>

AMA accused of deceiving D.C. Council panel

December 13, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Washington Times</p> <p>The Foundation for Taxpayer & Consumer Rights is accusing lawyer Robert R. McMillan, a member of the AMA's board of trustees, of intentionally deceiving council members.</p>

Gov. Demotes Deputy, Puts 2 Republicans in Key Roles

December 11, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>"That, more than any of these other moves, is pretty brazen, to put the insurance industry's longtime chief lobbyist at the helm of the administration," said Doug Heller with FTCR. "It's a startling move that should raise real concerns for California citizens. This is the insurance industry's top lobbyist."</p>

$2 Million Sugar Plum

December 9, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

Arnold turned over the keys of government to the insurance industry this afternoon with his appointment of the industry's chief lobbyist, Dan Dunmoyer, as his Deputy Chief of Staff. Insurers contributed just $2,155,285 to purchase this plum...

Study: Living by a church helps keep drivers safe

December 7, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">San Jose Mercury News (California)</p> <p>The leader of a consumer watchdog group fighting for reforms to prevent home addresses from affecting auto insurance prices ridiculed the study. "What's next? A study showing people on low-carb diets cause less accidents than pasta eaters?'' asked Doug Heller, executive director of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights.</p>

Feb. 27 court date for Charter test of stem cell program;

December 7, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Foes say enterprise is illegal because it's outside state control</h3><p class="source">THE SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE</p> <p>"They're allowing the grant recipients to own the research products," said Jerry Flanagan of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights in Los Angeles, one of several advocacy groups riding herd on the stem cell program's formative months. "It's true this is only for the training grants to nonprofits, but the problem is once you establish the interim rules, that becomes the starting point for all the following discussions," he said.</p>

False Accounting: How Medical Malpractice Insurance Companies Inflate Losses to Justify Sudden Surges in Rates and Tort Reform

December 7, 2005  ·  Jamie Court

In this study, the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights (FTCR)1 reviews the loss projections of medical malpractice insurance companies, beginning with the “insurance crisis”...

Scientists can keep ownership of stem cell work;

December 7, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>State institute amends policy</h3><p class="source">The San Diego Union-Tribune</p> <p>Many taxpayer advocates don't like the federal research funding policy because it does not require that any of the money made from government-funded research to be returned to the government agency that issued the grant. "California is setting a new model. So why is it looking to a flawed national model?" John Simpson with FTCR asked. "We can set a new standard for everyone else."</p>

Health Plan Costs Come Under Fire;

December 2, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>At a hearing in L.A., Garamendi grills insurance company executives about why premiums have soared 60% in four years.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Jamie Court, president of the Santa Monica-based Foundation for Taxpayer & Consumer Rights, said Garamendi should have taken such a step earlier, and that he doubted there was enough time for the commissioner to put through a new regulation before his term ended next year.</p>

Gardena Official Urges Probe of Company

November 30, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>The AP's investigation revealed a litany of issues involving the creation of the Municipal Mutual Insurance Company, including no-bid contracts and other questionable transactions. While the company failed, consultants and financial specialists earned millions of dollars in fees, and the former city manager spent lavishly on four-star hotels and travel.</p>