Insurance

Insurance news, investigations, and reform — auto, home, and health insurance rates, claims denials, and industry accountability.

‘Investigational’ treatments see cutbacks

September 21, 2004 · Consumer Watchdog

The Kansas City Star Jamie Court, president of FTCR in Santa Monica, CA, said insurers generally have tried to escape from all sorts of procedures until Congress or a legislature has forced them to cover a specific treatment.

Marty’s Messy Money & Mailers

September 20, 2004 · Jamie Court

When politicians defend their fundraising habits, they promise never to mix talk of campaign cash and policy positions. Now Arnold has introduced a new twist: In the interest of...

Bipartisan aura fades as Schwarzenegger finishes first year

September 19, 2004 · Consumer Watchdog

Sacramento Bee One persistent critic, consumer advocate and "ArnoldWatch" operator Jamie Court said, "In less than one week, Arnold has managed to renounce every vow he's taken to the people of California to keep big money and big policy separate in the governor's offic

Arnold Inc.

September 17, 2004 · Jamie Court

In less than one week, Arnold has managed to renounce every vow he's taken to the people of California to keep big money and big policy separate in the Governor's office. Here's...

Reducing lawsuit abuse

September 14, 2004 · Consumer Watchdog

Marketplace Radio - Minnesota Public Radio You don't hear too much about frivolous corporate litigation. That's because big business pays to publicize other things, like ambulance chasers out to bankrupt America.

Reducing lawsuit abuse

September 14, 2004 · Jamie Court

You don't hear too much about frivolous corporate litigation. That's because big business pays to publicize other things-like ambulance chasers out to bankrupt America.

A Plain Aye or Nay Will Do

September 11, 2004 · Consumer Watchdog

The Los Angeles Times If the nonvoting problem persists, the progressive Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights says it will sponsor a ballot initiative in 2006 that would deny legislators their pay when they fail to vote.

Assembly ‘workers’

September 6, 2004 · Consumer Watchdog

The San Francisco Chronicle We have repeatedly expressed our disgust at the way Assembly members have made a custom of ducking important votes. Under Assembly rules, a majority of members on a committee -- not just those who actually vote -- is required for passage.

USC study: Abstentions, absenteeism played major role in bills’ failing

September 3, 2004 · Consumer Watchdog

Associated Press FTCR said it would try to put an initiative on the ballot in 2006 to withhold lawmakers' pay when they don't vote if the Legislature doesn't enforce rules against abstentions. The measure would also require the reporting of lawmakers' missed votes online

Out for the Count

September 2, 2004 · Consumer Watchdog

<h3>An Analysis of Nonvoting in the California Legislature</h3> An award-winning study from the University of Southern California School of Policy, Planning and Development that analyzes the impact of lawmakers' non-voting on the success of legislation in California.

A Show of Weakness in Drug Import Debate

September 2, 2004 · Consumer Watchdog

Los Angeles Times Fresh from his star turn at the Republican convention, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger could scarcely find a better way to certify his role as a political action hero than to take on perhaps the most powerful corporate force in America: the drug industry.

State Farm slashing car-insurance rates;

September 1, 2004 · Consumer Watchdog

<h3>The 7.6 percent cut will save customers $215 million a year and pressure other companies to follow suit.</h3>The Orange County Register (California) Advocacy groups applauded the reduction, saying it is in line with auto-reform regulation and follows a national trend in which insurers are vying to offer more competitive rates.