Insurance

Insurers Back U.S. Oversight;

December 25, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>With states pushing to tighten their regulation, the industry embraces the idea of federal standards.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>The insurance industry is "threatening a federal takeover in order to scare our state lawmakers into weakening state consumer protections," said Doug Heller, executive director of FTCR in Los Angeles. "The push in D.C. is to lowest-common-denominator stan</p>

Financier to Lead Institute on Stem Cells

December 17, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The New York Times</p> <p>Some board members have been criticized for their ties to large biotechnological and pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer and Amgen. Jerry Flanagan, an advocate for the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, warned of a web of conflicts.</p>

Party Is Over on Workers’ Comp

December 3, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi has called for workers' comp premium reductions totaling 22% to match the savings by insurers, but the insurers are in the driver's seat. They don't have to listen to what he says.</p>

A Burd in the Hand

December 2, 2004  ·  Doug Heller

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">Corporate reformer Sean Harrigan says that Arnold was the hand behind his ouster from his position as President of the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) today. CalPERS, the...</font>

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>