Insurance

State to weigh Safeco quake-insurance rate hike;

March 23, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>The insurer wants to increase its typical premiums by 30 percent, to $762 annually.</h3><p class="source">The Orange County Register</p> <p>No date is set for Safeco's hearing. It's a response to a challenge by the nonprofit Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, said Lawrence Markey Jr., a lawyer for the group. Safeco submitted the request to the Insurance Department in August.</p>

Schwarzenegger Criticized for Fund-Raising

March 22, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>"This (Arnold) is Gray Davis on steroids," said Jamie Court, president of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, a Santa Monica consumer group.</p>

California Blue Cross offers different approach to health insurance coverage to young people

March 20, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">CBS-TV Evening News</p> <p>Mr. JAMIE COURT: The insurance company has you going and coming. If you're healthy, they'll keep taking your money and never pay a benefit, and if you get very, very sick and they don't want you, all they have to do is raise your premiums 1000%.</p>

Sit-In at the Governor’s Table

March 18, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">As thousands protested outside Arnold's fundraiser last night at the Century Plaza hotel, a small group of firefighters, nurses, teachers and consumer advocates took a seat at the governor's...</font>

Medical malpractice math

March 14, 2005  ·  Jamie Court

<p class="source">Marketplace - National Public Radio</p> <p>When a doctor's, hospital's or drug company's negligence seriously injures a patient, someone's got to pay the medical bills and living expenses. If it's not the wrongdoer, then it's likely gonna be the America taxpayer through social security, disa</p>

Medical Malpractice Math

March 14, 2005  ·  Jamie Court

<!-- excerpt --><p>When a doctor's hospital's or drug company's negligence seriously injures a patient, someone's got to pay the medical bills and living expenses. If it's not the wrongdoer, then it's likely gonna be the America taxpayer through programs like social securi</p>

Governor fattens kitty with D.C. Cash;

March 9, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Fund raising during trip raises concerns</h3><p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>"What big money does is buy access for a small set of people whose interests don't align with the interests of most Californians," said Jerry Flanagan of the Foundation for Taxpayer & Consumer Rights, a non-profit group that has been tracking Arnold's fun</p>

Bill would allow instant rate hikes for business insurance

March 9, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Charleston Gazette</p> <p>The Insurance Commission can't have it both ways, said Lawrence Markey Jr., staff attorney for California-based Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights. Insurance companies like a file-and-use system because it makes it easier to increase profits</p>

Wall Street’s Jockey

March 8, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">Tonight, the 21 Club -- the Manhattan restaurant and prohibition-era speakeasy adorned with sculptures of jockeys -- will be host to Arnold's no-limits fundraising. Dinner with the Gov runs a...</font>

$22,300 For a Seat at the Policy Table

March 8, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">Arnold's invitation to tomorrow's Washington D.C. fundraiser at the St. Regis hotel promises that for $22,300 donors will get "one seat at the Business Roundtable with Governor...</font>

Donors’ Influence on Schwarzenegger Is an Issue

March 7, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The New York Times</p> <p>The speaker of the California Assembly, Fabian Núñez, Democrat of Los Angeles, said Mr. Schwarzenegger's pursuit of political contributions had become a serious impediment to his dealings with Democrats in the Legislature.</p>

Photo ops for sale, governor’s ear, too

March 4, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>SCHWARZENEGGER TO HIT UP BUSINESSES BUT SAYS IT WON'T AFFECT HIS POSITIONS</h3><p class="source">San Jose Mercury News</p> <p>"The governor's office is for sale," said Jerry Flanagan, of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights and ArnoldWatch.org. "It's not rocket science to see that big contributions equal favorable policy."</p>