Insurance

Drug Company Profiteering & Waste

June 22, 2005  ·  Jerry Flanagan

<!-- 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  ·  Jamie Court

<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>

HMO price hike slows for CalPERS

June 16, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Daily News of Los Angeles</p> <p>With California workers ultimately paying more for health care, FTCR called for a new program that would allow any California resident to have access to the same rates that CalPERS members get. Jerry Flanagan, who tracks health care for the Santa Monica-based nonprofit organization, said patients should have more options for lower-cost health care.</p>

Judge Tosses Blue Cross Tax Lawsuit;

June 16, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>The court cites lack of jurisdiction in rejecting a request to require the state to collect more from the insurer.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>The Santa Monica-based Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, which filed the suit, is considering whether to appeal the ruling or to take the controversy to state regulators.</p>

Chamber Maid for the Chamber of Commerce

June 14, 2005  ·  Jamie Court

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">If there was any doubt that Arnold is the Chamber of Commerce's Chamber Maid, it was erased today when the Gov stood outside a private home in San Diego to stump against changes to Prop 13.<br/>...</font>

Tonight’s Election Brought to You By…

June 13, 2005  ·  Doug Heller

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">Taxpayers will pick up the $80 million tab for the extra election that Arnold will announce tonight. But the real sponsors of Arnold's election are the corporate heavy hitters who have plunked...</font>

Everybody Into The Insurance Pool

June 11, 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>

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>