Insurance

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

December 7, 2005  ·  Jamie Court

FTCR notes that many insurers have falsely characterized loss data in statements to lawmakers, news media and the public, and cautions that lawmakers and regulators should not rely upon the insurance industry's current loss projections, because those figures are not…

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>

Release the cells!

November 30, 2005  ·  Jamie Court

<h3>Locked cell phones frustrate users, but solutions are available</h3><p class="source">Marketplace Radio Program (NPR)</p> <p>You very likely paid for your cell phone when you signed up for service. But what your service provider didn't tell you is they secretly put a programming lock on your phone that prevents it from being used on another company's system.</p>

WellPoint Cleared of Misusing Rate Hikes

November 24, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Consumer Advocates Challenge Audit</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>"An actuary that doesn't challenge the assumptions behind money not spent on medical care is not doing an audit that is worth anything," said Jamie Court, president of the Santa Monica-based Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights. "It's not an audit unless you look at whether the assumptions are reasonable and true."</p>

A Turkey in Every HMO Donor’s pot

November 23, 2005  ·  Jamie Court

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">The Schwarzenegger administration today gave a big Thanksgiving present to the Gov's 30th biggest donor -- Blue Cross of California. Schwarzenegger's HMO regulator announced that Blue Cross's...</font>

Cold Turkey

November 21, 2005  ·  Carmen Balber

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">Governor Schwarzenegger's California Recovery Team -- a political committee ostensibly created for the Gov to raise and spend money on ballot measures -- reports accepting a $25,000 contribution...</font>

The governor’s odd traveling companions;

November 15, 2005  ·  Jamie Court

<h3>A host of big-buck contributors and cronies are along for the ride in China, and they're looking out for themselves, not California.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>For many of these Schwarzenegger donors, this China junket is more likely to help their own companies than California. And in some cases, that might actually do the rest of us harm.</p>

Five Questions Every Senior Must Ask Before Choosing A Medicare Drug Plan

November 15, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<!-- excerpt --><p>Are My Drugs Covered?</p>

REBUILDING NEW ORLEANS: THE INSURANCE GAME

November 13, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>After storm, some feel insurers hung them out to dry; Residents complain about waiting and denials; firms say they're moving as fast as they can</h3><p class="source">THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS</p> <p>Douglas Heller, executive director of the Foundation for Taxpayer & Consumer Rights, says delays actually make money for the insurance industry. "A monthlong delay in claims for 50 destroyed homes could bring in more than $30,000 in investment income to the underwriter," he said. Also, the "longer the delay, the more likely homeowners will settle for less."</p>

Cut Out the Peking Pork

November 10, 2005  ·  Jamie Court

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2"><em>Arnold, call it off.</em> The Gov's trip to China with some of his biggest corporate donors is exactly the type of cash register politics voters rejected Tuesday. <br/> <br/> This trip is...</font>