Insurance

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>

Free Speech Is Not For Sale

April 22, 2005  ·  Jamie Court

<!-- excerpt --><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>

Blue Cross rate increase draws anger

April 20, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Consumer group alleges huge jumps tied to merger</h3><p class="source">Ventura County Star</p> <p>The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights wants an audit to make sure the premium increases it has heard about in the past two weeks are not passing on the cost of the $16.5 billion merger of Anthem Inc. and WellPoint Health Networks Inc. to custome</p>

State Regulators Probe Increase in Some Blue Cross Premiums

April 19, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>FTCR, a Santa Monica-based consumer advocacy group, sent a letter Monday to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger demanding an investigation into Blue Cross fee increases on HMO plans and other lines sold under the state Department of Managed Health Care.</p>

Schwarzenegger Aide Generates Concern

April 19, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Schwarzenegger has become a big proponent of LNG -- seeking to open the door to coastal LNG terminals and make the long-term commitment to gas-powered electricity -- and this month ChevronTexaco announced a buyout of Unocal that would make it a huge playe</p>

Hikes by Blue Cross spur investigation

April 19, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Are They Tied to Merger With Anthem Last Year?</h3><p class="source">San Jose Mercury News</p> <p>Jerry Flanagan of FTCR, a watchdog group, said those increases are higher than the industry average of 9 percent to 10 percent. The group has received calls from Blue Cross of California policyholders citing premium increases of 20 percent to 50 percent.</p>

Blue Cross deal queried

April 19, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Sacramento Bee</p> <p>Consumer advocates Monday called on the governor and the insurance commissioner to investigate whether Blue Cross of California has raised insurance premiums to fund a $16.5 billion merger that last year forged the nation's largest health plan.</p>

Insurance Renewal Rules Proposed;

April 15, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Garamendi says disclosure regulations could protect people from 'use-it-and-lose-it' home policies.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Douglas Heller of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights in Santa Monica said his group would support Garamendi in efforts to stop insurers from "punishing customers who have the audacity to use the insurance policy they pay for."</p>

Leaders push California funds to recover $400 million from AIG

April 13, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>"What becomes clear on a day like this is that the (pension) problem is with the corporations who have donated to him rather than the benefits we have provided to our public servants," said Doug Heller, an advocate with the Santa Monica-based FTCR.</p>