Insurance

Appeals Court Deals Blow to City

February 1, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The LookOut (Santa Monica, CA)</p> <p>Voters approved the strongest conflict of interest initiative in the nation to fight corruption in four California cities, and it's time that protection was carried out in those cities and brought to other cities across the state, said Carmen Balber, con</p>

Nurses Take on the $50 Million Man

February 1, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">Governor Schwarzenegger told the LA Times Saturday that he would raise about $50 million for his 2005 special election ballot initiative campaigns from national sources. Wall Street has the...</font>

Car Dealers in Capitol’s Fast Lane;

January 29, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>While Schwarzenegger declares war on 'special interests,' he has helped one of the state's most effective lobbies get showroom treatment.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>After the dealers and the rest of the auto industry helped underwrite Schwarzenegger's 2003 gubernatorial campaign, giving him more than $1 million through his first year in office, the Republican sided with dealers last year by killing their most hated</p>

Missing out on a windfall

January 28, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Wisconsin)</p> <p>In the midst of yet another budget deficit, the Doyle administration missed a chance to obtain perhaps tens of millions of dollars by negotiating a concession package before approving the merger of two giant health insurance firms last year.</p>

Nurse: Can I Have a Socket Wrench?

January 27, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">Arnold's head honcho on consumer issues said today that in order to save money, California should "cross-train" its consumer protection investigators. In fact, Secretary of State and...</font>

Eighteen California companies win $80.8 million in tax refunds

January 25, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Critics claim the companies recently paid no state income taxes.</h3><p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>The board awarded the refunds with little discussion and no public documents detailing the size of individual refunds despite testimony calling them an absurd giveaway as the state contends with budget deficits.</p>

State (Wisconsin) missed chance at health care payoff for poor;

January 24, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Others saw opportunity in insurance company merger</h3><p class="source">Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Wisconsin)</p> <p>Jerry Flanagan, health-care advocate for the Santa Monica-based Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, disagreed and said Wisconsin's law clearly provides plenty of room to hold up mergers based on likelihood of passing along burdensome merger cost</p>

Amid Broken Promises, Many Begin to Doubt Schwarzenegger

January 20, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>The question political insiders are starting to ask about Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is potentially one of the most damaging that can be asked about a politician. Can you believe him? Can you trust him? Will he keep his word?</p>

Firm hires governor’s fund-raiser to pitch program to agencies

January 19, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>"This is the worst kind of influence peddling," said Jamie Court, president of FTCR, a Santa Monica-based consumer group. "This type of cash register politics is the very thing that Schwarzenegger ran Gray Davis out of office for."</p>

COMMENTARY; Regulate insurance to fight malpractice ‘crisis’

January 16, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Chicago Tribune</p> <p>The insurance industry pushing for tort reform? Kind of like the Big Bad Wolf trying to prohibit little pigs from living in brick houses.</p>

For Insurance Claimants, Wording Is Slippery Slope;

January 14, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Distinction between what constitutes a flood and a slide can dictate whether one is covered.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Doug Heller, executive director of FTCR in Los Angeles, said it was good that insurance companies were bringing disaster claims specialists in to assess the damage, but the fear is they're going to bring in people essentially for denying claims.</p>

Assemblyman regrets flier’s wording;

January 13, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Some see Calderon's invitation as targeting special interests.</h3><p class="source">Sacramento Bee</p> <p>Jamie Court, president of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, said the flier "basically put a for-sale sign on the Banking and Finance Committee. This is probably the most blatant mixing of policy and politics that I've ever seen..."</p>