Insurance

Quake insurance rates may drop

August 25, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Contra Costa Times (California)</p> <p>Consumer groups said a decrease would lead more homeowners to buy the insurance, which would help taxpayers as well as those individuals. Earthquakes pose a constant and potentially devastating threat to California homes, yet only about 15 percent of homeowners have earthquake insurance because of its prohibitively high cost.</p>

FTCR Letter Urging DMHC to Oppose PacifiCare/UnitedHealth Merger

August 19, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<!-- excerpt -->

Blame it on your ‘consumer champ’;

August 19, 2005  ·  Jamie Court

<h3>Garamendi never enforced an initiative ending ZIP Codes as a criteria in setting auto insurance rates. Maybe ambition got in the way.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>There was a time in California when consumers put an initiative on the statewide ballot demanding an end to auto insurance rates determined in large part by ZIP Code. The year was 1988, and the initiative passed. So why are drivers on one side of a ZIP Code line still paying premiums hundreds of dollars higher than if they lived across the street? Ask Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi.</p>

Stronger Rules Sought on Association Health Plans;

August 17, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>The cut-rate medical policies often offer only marginal benefits, a consumer group says in a petition to the state insurance chief.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>"There is no more junk policy than the association health plans," said Jamie Court, president of the Santa Monica-based nonprofit Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, which petitioned Garamendi's office.</p>

OIL: MULTINATIONALS POCKET MORE AS PRICES SHOOT HIGHER

August 15, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">IPS-Inter Press Service</p> <p>On Monday, the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights (FTCR), a Santa Monica-based consumer group, said that profiteering by the oil industry is to blame for a 20-cent increase at the pump over the last three weeks.</p>

Embattled home lender gives heavily to politicians;

August 12, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Ameriquest, a big donor to both parties, accused of duping low-income borrowers</h3><p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>"This is a classic case of trying to buy political cover from both sides of the aisle," said Jamie Court, president of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights in Santa Monica. "Who's left to prosecute? The company and the CEO have basically conflicted every public official out."</p>

Pig People from Outer Space

August 11, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">www.ifwisheswerefishes.com</p> <p>The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights (FTCR) cited data released today showing that HMO profits increased 10.7 percent in 2004 after an 80 percent increase in 2003, a trend that will likely continue as HMO mergers reduce market competition and patient choice.</p>

You Can’t Always Get What You Want

August 10, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">Arnold may not be getting what he wants because the Court of Appeal decided to keep his key initiative off the ballot yesterday. But, as an ArnoldWatch tipster points out, Arnold will get what...</font>

SUPPORT BASE: OC’s Money, Moderation Bankrolls Schwarzenegger

August 9, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Orange County Business Journal</p> <p>Whether OC is the top giver to the governor is unclear-though the county surely ranks near the top, said Carmen Balber, a spokeswoman with the Santa Monica-based Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, which tracks giving to the governor.</p>

PacifiCare deal draws fire;

August 8, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Consumer advocates decry $314 million for top execs</h3><p class="source">Modern Healthcare</p> <p>The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights last week called on state regulators to slash the payouts that PacifiCare executives are in line to receive and to ensure that UnitedHealth doesn't siphon PacifiCare's $374 million in financial reserves out of California. </p>

Suing Insurers In California

August 8, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p>California's Proposition 103 bestowed upon the public the right to challenge the rates or practices of an insurance company in court. (Insurance Code Section 1861.10) Proposition 103 also specifies that California's civil rights and consumer protection laws apply to the actions of insurance companies. (Ins. Code Section 1861.03(a)) and can, therefore, be enforced by citizens in court. <a href="http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/feature/intervene-lawsuits-department-insurance-hearings">Read more about these provisions</a> of California law.</p>

Top PacifiCare Executives Could Receive $230 Million in Sale to UnitedHealth

August 5, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">BestWire</p> <p>"When piggish HMO executives cash out with nine-figure paychecks, patients and small business foot the bill," said Jerry Flanagan, a spokesman with the FTCR, in a statement. "Patients need new protections to ensure that premiums reflect the cost of medical care, not the greed of health-care profiteers and Wall Street financiers."</p>