Insurance

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>

Ballot Battles

October 21, 2004  ·  Jamie Court

<!-- excerpt --><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</p>

State Targets Insurers’ Practices;

October 20, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Proposed regulations would boost disclosure of fees that brokers get for selling policies.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Consumer activist Douglas Heller said the proposal didn't go far enough. Even if disclosed, commissions paid by insurers to brokers pose a conflict of interest and should be banned, said Heller, executive director of FTCR.</p>

ARNOLD THE REPUBLICAN

October 18, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">LA Weekly (California)</p> <p>Davis took lumps over credible evidence that campaign contributions won access and may have influenced his policy. Ditto Schwarzenegger. Drug companies have contributed $337,000 to Schwarzenegger's various political committees, according to FTCR.</p>

Canada-bound seniors search for cheaper prescription drugs;

October 16, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Train stops in Savannah to pick up people who can't afford medicine here.</h3><p class="source">Florida Times-Union (Jacksonville)</p> <p>Such pharmaceuticals are available in Canada for 30 percent to 60 percent less because Canadians buy in bulk, a system that drug companies have blocked in the United States, said Jerry Flanagan of FTCR, the California-based organizer of the train trip.</p>

Drug protesters, Amtrak spar over trip

October 15, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Rochester Democrat & Chronicle</p> <p>Jerry Flanagan, health care policy director for the nonprofit group running the Rx Express, said Amtrak's action must have been taken to keep protests about U.S. prescription drug costs out of the news on the day of the last presidential debate.</p>