Insurance

Wal-Mart, Walton family support Schwarzenegger agenda with $1 Million

October 31, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">USA TODAY</p> <p>Wal-Mart and its founding Walton family have emerged as big backers of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, giving about $1 million in the past year to his favored causes as he vetoed legislation aimed at the company.</p>

The secret force behind the propositions;

October 30, 2005  ·  Jamie Court

<h3>Using Schwarzenegger's initiatives, some of the country's leading conservative minds hope to paint California red in 2008.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Some of the nation's leading conservative thinkers and strategists are seeking, through Schwarzenegger's initiatives, to alter the balance of power between the right and left wings of California politics. Their hope is to turn California red in '08 and pioneer a new gospel that can spread across the country.</p>

‘No’ vote is powerful only if you cast it

October 30, 2005  ·  Jamie Court

<h3>Getting people to turn out this November is key to defeating high dollar initiatives </h3><p class="source">San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>Nurses, firefighters, cops, teachers and Planned Parenthood have called upon California's progressive voters to just say no to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger-backed ballot measures in the Nov. 8 special election. </p>

Tax law casts doubt on stem cell royalties;

October 25, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>State may not reap billions promised to voters last fall</h3><p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>"Voters were told they would benefit from stem cell research, but if the drug companies own the treatments, it will be the top executives and shareholders that will profit,'' said Jerry Flanagan, health care policy director for the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, which opposed Prop. 71.</p>

Cartoonish election

October 24, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Sacramento Bee</p> <p>Last week, the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights and the California Nurses Association put up its own cartoon with Schwarzenegger groping Minerva in the state seal.</p>

Arnold’s Shakedown Politics vs. His Word

October 21, 2005  ·  Jamie Court

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">When he ran for office, Arnold proclaimed: "I don't have to take money from anybody. I have plenty of money." Yesterday he got angry at President Bush for having a Beverly Hills...</font>

How to Shop for Insurance

October 21, 2005  ·  Doug Heller

<p class="source">ABC TV-12 (Flint, Michigan)</p> <p>"Just because they're a big name doesn't mean that they'll be a 'good neighbor' or that you'll be 'in their hands,'" Doug Heller with FTCR noted. If you can't get complaint ratios for your state, he said that you can often get a good idea of how a company treats its customers by comparing the complaint ratios published by other states </p>

Calpers Protests PacifiCare Severance;

October 18, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Top executives are poised to receive $345 million in merger-related bonuses if United Health's acquisition goes through.</h3><p class="source">CFO Magazine</p> <p>According to the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, the $345 million in bonuses is "enough money to provide health care to 115,000 Californians for an entire year." </p>

Governor’s star status pays off;

October 17, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Appearances lead to campaign giving - and raised eyebrows.</h3><p class="source">Sacramento Bee</p> <p>Doug Heller, executive director of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights in Santa Monica, which frequently criticizes Schwarzenegger's fundraising, said there is a connection between such vetoes and campaign contributions.</p>

Motorists, Repairers Complain of Steering;

October 10, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Insurers in the state continue to push work toward garages they contract with, critics say.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>According to complaints from the auto repair industry, insurance companies use a variety of tactics to evade the 2-year-old law, telling policyholders that work at their chosen body shops might not be guaranteed or fully covered or might be delayed.</p>

Conspiracy charge moves phone-locking case forward

October 10, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">RCR Wireless News</p> <p>Similar lawsuits in Tennessee and South Carolina may end up in Cote's court. A court in Alameda County, Calif., is considering phone lock lawsuits filed by the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights.</p>

Provider of home coverage probed

October 5, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Contra Costa Times (Walnut Creek, CA)</p> <p>On top of administrative penalties, the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights argues Farmers Insurance should pay refunds to any customer who was improperly charged. "This company thinks it can break the law without being held accountable," said Harvey Rosenfield, founder of the Santa Monica-based consumer watchdog group, which petitioned the Department of Insurance to participate in the proceedings. "It's an arrogant, outrageous practice by an arrogant, outrageous company."</p>