Insurance

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>

Prescription Drug Advocates Bash Amtrak

October 13, 2004  ·  Jerry Flanagan

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>The group of about 20 elderly people are traveling to Toronto to buy drugs at cheaper Canadian prices. The U.S. government does not allow reimportation of such drugs from Canada, arguing there are safety concerns.</p>

Seniors find discounts on Rx Express

October 10, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Miami Herald</p> <p>FTCR wants the federal government to insist that the drug manufacturers provide bulk rates for Medicare recipients, the same way the Veterans Administration forces large discounts for its patients.</p>

Governor hitting campaign trail;

October 5, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>FUNDS RAISED TO HELP DEFEAT GAMBLING MEASURES</h3><p class="source">San Jose Mercury News (California)</p> <p>To Jamie Court, president of the Santa Monica-based Taxpayer and Consumer Rights Foundation and an outspoken critic of the governor, the policy is a distinction without a difference.</p>