Insurance

State fines Blue Cross $150,000;

July 6, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Error caused multiple charges for premiums</h3><p class="source">San Diego Union Tribune</p> <p>Jerry Flanagan, a spokesman for the Foundation for Taxpayer & Consumer Rights, said the fine is a "slap on the wrist" for Blue Cross. He added that the state's slow response was "a dangerous shift in priorities at what is supposed to be the nation's premier HMO watchdog".</p>

Associations’ Policies Under Scrutiny;

July 5, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Millions buy health insurance through trade and other groups. But alliances and claims of misrepresentation raise concerns.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Many associations offer legitimate policies, and legislation in the House of Representatives would expand their reach nationwide. But regulators worry that in some cases there are hidden ties between associations and insurers. Policyholders can also face unforeseen rate increases and policies with hidden clauses that leave consumers with big -- and unexpected -- bills.</p>

HR 4600 Will Harm Patients & Enrich Only Insurers

July 1, 2005  ·  Jamie Court

<!-- excerpt --><p>The real answer to skyrocketing insurance premiums, which are striking across all lines of insurance, is to regulate the insurers' pricing and accounting practices so that investment losses cannot be passed onto policyholders. Congress should not blame the victim for a crisis created by insurance companies.</p>

Congress pulls plug on junk-fax rule

June 30, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Hill</p> <p>On its website, the California-based Foundation for Taxpayer & Consumer Rights urged consumers to contact lawmakers in opposition to S. 714, which it said would undo crucial protections and create a flood of unwarranted junk faxes.</p>

A Bonus for Allstate Customers

June 28, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Contra Costa Times (California)</p> <p>"Allstate had cheated its customers with a series of arbitrary and unfair actions," said Douglas Heller, executive director of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights.</p>

Terminate Term Limits

June 28, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">ArnoldWatchers hear that Arnold and Democratic legislative leaders are close to a deal over the extra November election that would add yet another initiative to the ballot; this one to unravel...</font>

Arnold Get Dinero in Havana

June 24, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">Arnold and his contributors will sit down for some cigar-chompin', back-slappin', ol' fashioned political schemin' tonight at the Grand Havana Room in Beverly Hills. For between $5k and $25k,...</font>

Cheapest health insurance;

June 23, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Bay Area rates high in affordability for individuals</h3><p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>Some consumer advocates criticized the survey, arguing that using a healthy 30-year-old for insurance comparison purposes doesn't tell the whole story of access to affordable care.</p>

Drug Company Profiteering & Waste

June 22, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<!-- excerpt --><p>Prescription drug expenditures have consistently been one of the fastest growing components of health care spending. Over the last decade, prescription drugs costs have increased at double-digit rates each year. Employers offering drug coverage to workers or retirees have been forced to increase co-payments and deductibles. As a result, consumers, whether insured or uninsured, are facing skyrocketing out-of-pocket costs for their prescription drugs.</p>

COST OF CORPORATE CRIME: $1.5 TRILLION ANNUALLY*

June 21, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>ELIMINATING REPEAT OFFENDERS: PRICELESS</h3> <p>The collapse of Enron alone is estimated to have cost the public billions of dollars. Yet Enron was the tip of the iceberg in last year's rapid succession of corporate earnings "re-statements" and admissions that books had been cooked to boost the bottom line. The cost of these discoveries -- $170 billion in direct losses from the top eight controversies, according to BusinessWeek -- was (and continues to be) borne directly by employees, investors and retirees, as well as by the whole of the failing economy.</p>

We Dare Arnold to “Go Live”

June 21, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">The Gov told the L.A. Daily News recently that an Arnold Cam would be wildly popular. "If you would have a camera in my office -- I mean, people would be howling," Arnold said....</font>

Whose Fault Is No Fault?

June 20, 2005  ·  Carmen Balber

<p class="source">The Boston Globe</p> <p>It isn't Mitt Romney's fault that the Massachusetts auto insurance system was broken when he took office. But, if he insists on clinging to the no fault system and giving insurers carte blanche to set rates, unhappy drivers will know it's his fault now.</p>