Insurance

State Farm plans to reduce rates for California customers

September 1, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>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.</p>

Grand Old Profits: Will Republicans Ever Speak Out Against Insurer Profits?

September 1, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

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Not a Moderate…Fundraiser

August 31, 2004  ·  Doug Heller

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">Arnold, with a premier speaking spot at the GOP convention, will list a string of life achievements in his American Dream speech tonight. However, he will likely ignore one of his most recent...</font>

Governor Is Sprinting for Donations;

August 30, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Schwarzenegger is on pace to raise about $9million to fight two gambling initiatives on the Nov. 2 ballot and to promote his agenda.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>"There is no doubt that Schwarzenegger has violated the fundamental principle of his campaign: that he would keep the special interests out of his government," said Douglas Heller, executive director of the Santa Monica-based FTCR.</p>

“Off-the-Rails Drug Policy”

August 30, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Last week, the California Assembly approved legislation authorizing the state to buy cheaper drugs from Canada for the prison system and other state agencies.</p>

U.S. Seniors Travel to Canada for Affordable Rx Drugs;

August 26, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Reimportation and Bulk Purchasing Urged</h3>

Seniors take aim at drug prices;

August 24, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Event will spotlight two groups' differing cost-cutting solutions</h3><p class="source">Portland Tribune</p> <p>The Rx Express started off as a simple enough idea: Send a group of senior citizens up to Canada to save money on their prescription drugs, and raise all sorts of election-year issues along the way.</p>

Rx Express to Take Seniors & Patients to Canada to Buy Lower Cost Prescription Drugs

August 23, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>American Rx Bulk Purchasing Could Save U.S. Consumers Billions of Dollars</h3>

Governor may say a lot with a yea or a nay

August 23, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Sacramento Bee</p> <p>"It would be much easier to not take a position on these things by chastising them as being passed at the last minute, or being a special-interest issue," said Doug Heller of the Santa Monica-based FTCR.</p>

Special Report; Less for more: The health care crunch. Part 1 of 3

August 22, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Insurance ills put squeeze on consumers; Sliding benefits, soaring costs swell insurers' profits</h3><p class="source">The San Diego Union-Tribune</p> <p>"What the HMOs tell us is that because hospital costs are going up and prescription drugs are going up, that is why we have to raise premiums," said Jerry Flanagan, a consumer advocate with FTCR. "But premiums are going up exponentially faster."</p>

Taking Rx Express;

August 19, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Six O.C. residents are joining a trip to Canada to protest high prescription-drug costs.</h3><p class="source">Orange County Register</p> <p>The train is sponsored by Santa Monica-based Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, which is advocating, among other reforms, prescription drug bulk purchasing to lower drug costs.</p>

Panel OKs former insurance industry lobbyist as regulation chief

August 18, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>Doug Heller, executive director of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, said Gausewitz should agree to recuse himself from OAL evaluations of insurance regulations.</p>