Insurance

LA Tentatively Approves Drug Discount Program

May 6, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>Los Angeles would become the first city in the nation to create a prescription drug discount program for its residents under a plan tentatively approved by the City Council.</p>

State bill would alter insurance rate policy

May 5, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>If approved, AB 1454 would overturn regulations imposed by Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi. But some consumer groups, such as the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, complained that using credit scores would hurt low-income and minority customers, who often have worse credit, and is irrelevant to homeowners insurance.</p>

Committee OKs Calderon home insurance bill;

May 4, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Credit scores would be factor in sale</h3><p class="source">Whittier Daily News</p> <p>"It's ridiculous to base somebody's insurance premium on whether they have paid off their Visa card. Whether or not you pay your Visa bill on time every month has nothing to do with whether or not a windstorm is going to blow shingles off your roof," said Doug Heller with FTCR.</p>

Panel kills universal health insurance;

April 27, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>The Assembly action comes as the Senate looks at a state-run plan to replace private coverage.</h3><p class="source">Sacramento Bee</p> <p>Opponents countered that AB 1670 might prompt employers to drop their existing health insurance policies, and that many Californians could not afford the $5,000 deductible in basic policies.</p>

Insurers warn they would be unable to handle massive California disaster

April 27, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Daily News of Los Angeles</p> <p>Douglas Heller, executive director of the Santa Monica-based Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, wasn't so sure that bringing other states into the picture would work for anyone, however. The frequent industry critic said that the varying issues that confront each state make it too difficult to craft a national policy, suggesting instead that insurers lower premiums to encourage more people to join the risk pool.</p>

Work Comp Donations to Arnold Paying Off

April 25, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">The state's workers' compensation insurers have reaped a windfall in the wake of Arnold's workers' compensation law signed last year, according to new insurance industry data made public at a...</font>

Deal Breaker?

April 25, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Calif. Blues plan investigated for violating deal</h3><p class="source">Modern Healthcare</p> <p>California regulators are investigating whether Blue Cross of California violated a legal commitment by raising premiums to fund a mega-merger that last year created the nation's largest health insurer.</p>

OUTSIDE THE TENT; Eastie Editors Are Colonizing L.A.

April 24, 2005  ·  Jamie Court

<p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>The Los Angeles Times suffers from the same syndrome. The newspaper's East Coast focus increasingly comes at the expense of Western voices and perspectives. Looking east for direction may be natural for the former New York Times managers now in charge in Los Angeles. Transplants include Managing Editor Dean Baquet, Deputy Managing Editor John Montorio and Editorial Page Editor Andres Martinez. Editor John Carroll is also an East Coaster, from the Baltimore Sun. But the L.A. Times should strive to be more than the "New York Times West."</p>

Eastie Editors Are Colonizing L.A.

April 24, 2005  ·  Jamie Court

<!-- excerpt --><p>The East Coast editorial mentality I take issue with is a high-brow view that caters to an elite intelligentsia, as opposed to the more populist Western view that life and news center on real people and everyday concerns.</p>

Blue Cross of California customers complain about experiences with insurer

April 23, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Record (Stockton, CA)</p> <p>Consumer advocate Jerry Flanagan called Blue Cross' treatment of Irene Arnold "outrageous" and typical of "an uncaring, corporate monolith." Flanagan, with the Santa Monica-based Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, said that since Arnold went public with her problem, he has received several e-mails from consumers who had the same experience.</p>

Freedom of the Press Is Not For Sale

April 22, 2005  ·  Jamie Court

<p class="source">KPCC 89.3 FM - Pasadena, CA</p> <p>Thinking about buying a car this weekend? Commentator Jamie Court, president of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, says you might want to consider one unusual factor: whether the automakers' advertising dollars are being used to make the case for more than your purchase.</p>

ARNOLD TERMINATED?

April 22, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">LA Weekly (Los Angeles, CA)</p> <p>Shortly after a dinner at Schwarzenegger's home, Beatty gave a widely noted speech last month at a fund-raiser for the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, a persistent Arnold antagonist, but turned down an invitation to speak at the Democratic convention because he didn't want to look like he's running for governor.</p>