Insurance

Small, big business team up again;

November 26, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Government regulations held back in elections through grass roots, money</h3><p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>California businesses staved off government regulation through ballot initiatives in this month's election by using their most effective foot soldiers: small-business owners. But it was big businesses doling out most of the cash for the campaigns.</p>

Lawsuit limits grind forward despite criticism

November 26, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Cleveland Plain Dealer</p> <p>Last month, the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights released a document from the nation's largest medical malpractice insurer, GE Medical Protective, that the company filed with the Texas Department of Insurance.</p>

Group sues WellPoint for $500 million;

November 24, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Watchdog says unit shortchanged taxpayers in California, skirted tax for for-profit PPOs.</h3><p class="source">The Indianapolis Star</p> <p>The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights charged that WellPoint's Blue Cross of California unit has shortchanged California taxpayers by $500 million by not paying the 2.35% state tax on premiums collected by for-profit PPOs.</p>

It was the worst of times

November 22, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Recorder</p> <p>A coalition of advocacy groups was honored for its unsuccessful work to defeat Prop 64. In his acceptance speech, Douglas Heller, executive director of FTCR, called the governor a "hack actor playing the part of a freedom fighter."</p>

State rejects offer by insurer;

November 12, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Anthem seeks OK for merger</h3><p class="source">The Atlanta Journal-Constitution</p> <p>The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, a California-based consumer group that opposes the deal and raised the issue of executive compensation, said California's action opens the door for other state regulators to strike similar deals.</p>

Anthem merger clears key hurdle;

November 10, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Millions in concessions sway California opponent; Company talks with other states that could object</h3><p class="source">The Indianapolis Star</p> <p>Back on May 19th, the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, a nonpartisan advocacy group, calls on California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to order regulators in California to have a public hearing on the proposed merger of Wellpoint/Anthem.</p>

WellPoint deal wins OK from Garamendi;

November 10, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>CONCESSIONS TO CLEAR ACQUISITION BY ANTHEM</h3><p class="source">San Jose Mercury News (California)</p> <p>Consumer groups praised Garamendi's efforts but said there was still cause for concern about the merger.</p>

Garamendi approves big health plan merger

November 10, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Sacramento Bee</p> <p>In California, some consumer groups remained concerned that Garamendi had not eliminated executive compensation deals from the merger.</p>

California’s insurance commissioner gives his blessing to a merger between Anthem and WellPoint Networks

November 10, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Marketplace Morning Report - MN Public Radio</p> <p>What this merger does is set the bar on future HMO and other mergers of all types. If you're going to take money from the state of California, if you're going to take money from patients anywhere in the country, you have to give back an equal sum.</p>

California Backs Merger of 2 Giant Blue Cross Plans

November 10, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The New York Times</p> <p>Jamie Court, president of a California patients' advocacy group, the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, suggested that "every state insurance commissioner will be trying to see what they could get from this deal."</p>

Anthem-WellPoint deal OKd;

November 10, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Companies agree to spend more on underserved communities</h3><p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>Health care advocates said that they are glad Anthem and WellPoint had made additional concessions but that they are still worried about the impact of the giant merger on California consumers.</p>

State’s Businesses Are Given a Lift by Voters;

November 4, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Companies, with the governor's help, win on referendums about health insurance and limits on lawsuits.</h3><p class="source">The Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Consumer activists were far from pleased with business' success at the polls this week. In particular, the expensive campaign in favor of Proposition 64 raised concerns that industry could simply buy the business climate it wants in California.</p>