Insurance

Everybody Into The Insurance Pool

June 10, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Democrats tend to favor mandating that employers pay for insurance. Republicans typically want to give insurers more latitude to "innovate." Unless a middle ground is found, the ranks of the 7 million uninsured in California will rise.</p>

Arnold Pecks Away at Free Speech

June 10, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">As a Santa Monica City College student leaving in the fall for Berkeley, I'm going to Tuesday's graduation ceremonies to support my friends. Since the governor is the commencement speaker, I...</font>

Cooking the books?

June 10, 2005  ·  Jamie Court

<p class="source">Marketplace Radio Program (NPR)</p> <p>After years of running insurance giant AIG, Maurice Greenberg has tendered his resignation from the board. Greenberg and AIG's former CFO were accused of up fluffing the books. But consumer activist and commentator Jamie Court says, "isn't that just business as usual?" </p>

History of the No-Fault Concept

June 8, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<!-- excerpt --> <p> <em>Below is a brief explanation of no fault, who came up with the idea and its history. It was prepared by Consumer Watchdog staff.</em></p> <p> In the early 1930s, a group of academics examining the nation's nascent auto insurance system suggested an alternative approach, modeled after the workers' compensation system developed earlier in the century.1</p>

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>