Insurance

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>

Businesses hail Prop. 64 victory;

November 4, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Opponents call it a victory for polluters and scofflaws.</h3><p class="source">Sacramento Bee</p> <p>Opponents of Proposition 64 said the initiative really benefits big businesses that were flouting the law.</p>

A Victory for Special Interests

November 3, 2004  ·  Doug Heller

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">Arnold is claiming victory over the special interests today in the wake of results from his five main initiative campaigns. In those battles, he had $86 million on his side. It's incredible how...</font>

Lockyer launches insurance probe

November 1, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Contra Costa Times (California)</p> <p>Consumer watchdog Harvey Rosenfield alleges Spitzer's probe merely exposed decades of corruption that plagued the industry while government regulators and prosecutors did nothing.</p>

Political Trick or Special Interest Treat?

October 29, 2004  ·  Doug Heller

<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>

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>

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>

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>