Insurance

Health department will hold hearing

June 24, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Ventura County Star</p> <p>In advance of his department's Friday hearing, Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi posted on his department's Web site Wednesday the latest draft of Anthem's proposals to alleviate his concerns about how the merger might hurt California residents.</p>

Is Arnold Twisting Arms at the FPPC?

June 24, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">The Fair Political Practices Commission ("FPPC") will vote this Friday on a regulation which would interpret Prop 34's limits on contributions to political candidates to include...</font>

Insurers’ fire policies criticized;

June 23, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>PROPOSAL: Coverage cuts in response to claims spur drive for legislation.</h3><p class="source">Press Enterprise (Riverside, CA)</p> <p>"Insurance companies are punishing consumers if they have the gall to use their policy," said Doug Heller, executive director of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights.</p>

Insurance bill would limit dropping of policyholders

June 23, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Sacramento Bee</p> <p>The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights released an itemized list Tuesday of more than $500,000 in campaign contributions the past two years by the insurance industry to members of the 17-person Assembly committee.</p>

Bill sought by fire victims rejected by Assembly panel

June 23, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The San Diego Union-Tribune</p> <p>"The insurance industry plays the game that fire survivors can't afford to," said Doug Heller, executive director of FTCR. "It's a tragedy that the stories of these survivors can't be heard over the clanging of insurance industry donations."</p>

Shell Oil Will Not Soften Production at Bakersfield, Calif., Refinery

June 22, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Bakersfield Californian</p> <p>Jamie Court, president of the Santa Monica-based Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, said the statement was "vague" and that he was still concerned Shell would slow refinery production this summer.</p>

Anthem merger to get 2nd hearing;

June 19, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>California official concerned about payouts to WellPoint executives</h3><p class="source">The Indianapolis Star</p> <p>Under the draft proposal, nothing would stop Anthem from removing the remaining $652 million and using it as it wished, said Jerry Flanagan, health care policy director for the Santa Monica, California-based consumer group.</p>

The Arnold Index: Top 100

June 19, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<font face="Verdana,helvetica,Arial"><br/> </font> <!-- body text starts --><!-- startbodytext --> <font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">On August 7, 2003 Arnold said: "I will go to Sacramento and I will clean house. I don't...</font>

Blue Cross of California’s March 31, 2004 Filing with DMHC

June 18, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<!-- excerpt --><p>According to company filings with the state regulators, Blue Cross of California has more than $1 billion in premium funded reserves in jeopardy under the terms of the pending merger between Blue Cross' parent company, WellPoint, and Anthem Inc.</p>

CalPERS opposes WellPoint-Anthem deal, calls for proxy fight

June 14, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>"Hundreds of millions of dollars in pay-outs to HMO executives would undermine patient care and the stability of the merged company," said Jerry Flanagan of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights.</p>

RISKY BUSINESS;

June 13, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>MORE SMALL-BUSINESS OWNERS, SELF-EMPLOYED GOING WITHOUT HEALTH CARE INSURANCE</h3><p class="source">The Daily News of Los Angeles</p> <p>"What we need to have is a baseline health insurance plan that's affordable and provides quality care without being too watered down," said Jerry Flanagan, health care advocate with FTCR.</p>

Doctor Seeks Waiver from Treating Malpractice Lawyers

June 10, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Morning Edition - National Public Radio (NPR)</p> <p>A South Carolina doctor is asking the American Medical Association to approve as ethical a policy that would permit doctors to refuse treating medical malpractice lawyers. The proposal demonstrates how heated the debate over medical malpractice has become</p>