Insurance

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>

Brand Name Drug Price Increase Highest in 5 Years – Rx Bulk Purchasing Needed

April 12, 2005  ·  Jerry Flanagan

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The many faults of no-fault insurance

April 1, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Brockton Enterprise</p> <p>Did you have any doubt that Massachusetts has the worst auto insurance system in the country? If you did, read a new report from the California-based Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, which points out all the faults of no-fault insurance.</p>

LA-BASED ADVOCATE WITH LOCAL TIES PITCHES REPEAL OF NO-FAULT AUTO INSURANCE

April 1, 2005  ·  Harvey Rosenfield

<p class="source">STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE (Massachusetts)</p> <p>The report, released by the non-profit, non-partisan Foundation for Taxpayer & Consumer Rights, concludes that repealing the no-fault system would immediately lead to fewer insurance claims and lower rates.</p>

Coalition targets health care;

April 1, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Group forms to improve coverage in the Valley</h3><p class="source">The Fresno Bee</p> <p>The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights has spent two years bringing community groups together, with the goal of supporting its greater statewide efforts for improving health-care access. FTCR also has set up town hall meetings in 11 communities</p>

Faulting ‘no-fault’ insurance;

March 30, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Drivers taken for a $200M ride?</h3><p class="source">The Boston Herald</p> <p>Insurance premiums on average are 19 percent higher in states that have no-fault insurance, said Harvey Rosenfeld, whose group FTCR, was a leader in pushing auto-insurance reform in California in the late 1980s.</p>