Insurance

Malpractice Payouts Have Not Soared, Reports Say;

June 1, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>The two studies suggest jury awards have little to do with skyrocketing liability insurance rates.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Douglas Heller, executive director of the Santa Monica-based Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, said it was rate regulation -- not liability caps -- that had kept premiums relatively low in California. Over the last two years, Heller said, the group has defeated or won reductions in requested premium hikes that saved doctors and other medical professionals in California more than $62 million.</p>

ID Theft Coverage Draws Criticism;

May 28, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Activists say insurers, which share data, are profiting from a need they helped create.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>"The unpleasant irony is that one of the main reasons we need protection is that actions by insurance companies helped make our personal information too readily available," said Doug Heller, executive director of FTCR, a consumer advocacy group based in Santa Monica. "They and other industries insist on their right to trade private information about all of us, and that makes it possible that the information can fall into the hands of thieves."</p>

Colleges Test New Health Program;

May 26, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>School employees will be able to pre-fund supplemental coverage for use in retirement.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>"The move toward savings accounts to replace retirement coverage is symptomatic of a lack of leadership necessary to make healthcare affordable," said Jerry Flanagan, with the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, a Santa Monica-based nonprofit.</p>

CALIFORNIA REGULATORS NOW LOOKING INTO BLUE CROSS OF CALIFORNIA’S RESERVES

May 25, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">BestWire</p> <p>In April, the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, a Santa Monica, Calif.-based consumer group, asked the state to investigate "double-digit rate increases" on Blue Cross customers. In a letter to state officials, the foundation cited "legally binding commitments" WellPoint made to state regulators</p>

Homeowners insurance: Use it and lose it

May 24, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Last year's hurricane season caused heavy underwriting losses at Allstate Insurance.</h3><p class="source">CNNMoney.com</p> <p>"It has been a very strange development," says Doug Heller, a spokesman for the Foundation for Taxpayer & Consumer Rights. "Consumers are being threatened with non-renewal for filing legitimate claims."</p>

Air Arnold Spotted Over Lake Michigan

May 23, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">Air Arnold flew again today, this time above the Chicago skyline following the Gov on his cross country cash grab. The Arnold Watching plane pulled a banner reading "Arnold: Don't Sell...</font>

Dirty Money in the Windy City (view the invite)

May 20, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">Monday -- a work day for most Californians -- is a day out of the office for Arnold. Way out. <a href="http://www.arnoldwatch.org/assets/Chicago_fundraiser.gif">Click here to view the...</a> </font>

Regulators to Examine Reserves at Blue Cross;

May 18, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>The amount is about five times the required level, attracting attention in light of recent premium hikes being investigated.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>State regulators, already probing recent rate hikes by Blue Cross of California, on Tuesday also pledged to scrutinize the health insurer's reserve fund, which is five times as big as required by law.</p>

Blue Cross premiums probed;

May 15, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Anthem merger costs at issue</h3><p class="source">Stockton Record</p> <p>Consumer advocate Jerry Flanagan said Blue Cross broke its promise not to raise rates to pay for the costs associated with the merger, including $265 million in cash bonuses paid to company executives.</p>

Regulators Accelerate Probe of Hikes in Blue Cross Premiums;

May 15, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Consumer activists tell of boosts as high as 40% after a takeover of the insurer's parent. The company calls the increases reasonable.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Consumer activists, citing anecdotal evidence gathered from policyholders, testified that some Blue Cross customers were being hit with rate increases of 20% to 40% on individual and family coverage.</p>

California regulators step up investigation of Blue Cross hikes

May 15, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>Consumer advocates raised concerns last year about the November merger between Thousand Oaks-based WellPoint Health Networks, the parent company of Blue Cross, and Anthem Inc. of Indianapolis. They have since pushed for the inquiries about the $21 million deal.</p>

Insurance, credit scores don’t mix

May 13, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">San Gabriel Valley Tribune</p> <p>Assemblyman Ron Calderon's bill allowing insurance companies to use consumer credit ratings to determine eligibility for homeowner policies is bad for consumers and could slow a booming housing market.</p>