Insurance

Merger of HMOs approved;

December 1, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>State unveils plans to use new funds</h3><p class="source">The Atlanta Journal-Constitution</p> <p>A California-based consumer group, the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, noted the merger would bring up to $600 million in cash and stock options to top executives of the companies.</p>

Anthem, WellPoint Merger Is Complete;

December 1, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Deal creates the biggest U.S. health insurer. One executive says members can expect more choices but not lower prices.</h3><p class="source">The Los Angeles Times</p> <p>"These bonuses are nine-figure Christmas gifts for company executives at a time when patients have to fight for basic healthcare coverage," said Jerry Flanagan, a spokesman for the Santa Monica-based Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights.</p>

With Georgia on board, Anthem, WellPoint complete merger

November 30, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>Jerry Flanagan of FTCR said the millions of dollars to improve health care in two states was "chump change" compared with executive payouts that were part of the deal and the premium increases customers could face to cover the merger's financing costs.</p>

Less of a cushion;

November 28, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Insurers are reducing coverage for homeowners and canceling their policies after claims.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Underinsured homes. Ever-rising premiums. Stealth changes. Intrusive satellite inspections. Blacklists of homeowners who have filed multiple claims. Policy cancellations. These are a few of the current complaints about of homeowners insurance in Californi</p>

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>

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>