Insurance

Political Trick or Special Interest Treat?

October 29, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">Arnold claims that he is going to "scare the special interests" during his statewide tour on Halloween. Scare them. With what? The $37 million in special interest money he has received...</font>

Malpractice Insurer Sees Little Savings in Award Caps

October 28, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Wall Street Journal</p> <p>"When the largest malpractice insurer in the nation tells a regulator that caps on damages don't work, every legislator, regulator and voter in the nation should listen," said FTCR's executive director, Douglas Heller.</p>

Malpractice Insurer Sees Little Savings in Award Caps

October 28, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Wall Street Journal</p> <p>"When the largest malpractice insurer in the nation tells a regulator that caps on damages don't work, every legislator, regulator and voter in the nation should listen," said FTCR's executive director, Douglas Heller.</p>

FIRMS CONFIDENT OF MERGER;

October 28, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>WELLPOINT, ANTHEM BID STILL RAISES CONCERNS</h3><p class="source">The Daily News of Los Angeles</p> <p>"Even if they win in court, every state will have to take a second look," said Jamie Court, president of the nonprofit group FTCR. "I'm not saying they won't all approve it, but this thing is far from a done deal, like they're telling investors."</p>

ELECTION 2004: MEASURE 35 – CRITICS SAY DAMAGES LIMIT DIDN’T HELP TEXAS

October 28, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Oregonian</p> <p>"These insurance companies are unwilling to pass on the savings to doctors. They want to keep the profits for themselves," said Doug Heller, a spokesman for FTCR, a California-based group that brought the rate increase request to light this week.</p>

U.S. insurance scandal’s effect spreading

October 25, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">United Press International</p> <p>In the United States, consumer advocacy groups are pushing hard to see contingent insurance commissions or Placement Service Agreements (PSAs) eliminated, or at least more thoroughly regulated.</p>

Medical Malpractice Smoking Gun:

October 25, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>GE Medical Protective Document Reveals Caps Don't Work</h3> <p>GE Medical Protective, the nation's largest medical malpractice insurer, formally filed this document and data with the Texas Department of Insurance after the state enacted severe limits on non-economic damages for medical malpractice claims</p>

TWICE BURNED;

October 24, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Fire victims are finding companies canceling, or declining to renew, their homeowners insurance</h3><p class="source">The San Diego Union-Tribune</p> <p>"The biggest thing we've seen after any catastrophe is insurance companies trying to evade writing policies in the areas that were affected or trying to limit the coverage they offer," said Harvey Rosenfield, who heads FTCR in Santa Monica.</p>

Ballot Battles

October 21, 2004  ·  Jamie Court

<!-- excerpt --><p>Open up a ballot in the majority of states on November 2nd and you'll find a dizzying array of ballot measures. Florida voters will choose whether to cap attorneys fees and vote on a three strikes measure for doctors who commit malpractice. In Nevada, they'll consider limits on malpractice damages and whether to regulate insurance premiums. Commentator and consumer activist Jamie Court is a veteran of ballot initiative wars.</p>

Insurance probe widens

October 21, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>Doug Heller, executive director of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, says the proposed regulations don't go far enough.</p>

Governor’s job commission fights conflict of interest disclosure

October 21, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>"In spite of his promise for a government that is open to the people of California, Schwarzenegger is essentially creating a shadow government that is behind the curtain and operating without accountability," said Doug Heller of FTCR.</p>

Ballot Battles

October 21, 2004  ·  Jamie Court

<p class="source">Marketplace Radio - Minnesota Public Radio</p> <p>Prop 64 is funded by $13 million from big businesses like Phillip Morris and Exxon. They don't want accountability for pollution and other public health threats. That's what the American Lung Association, Sierra Club, and California's Attorney General al</p>