Insurance

Is Arnold Twisting Arms at the FPPC?

June 24, 2004  ·  Carmen Balber

<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>

Calif. hearings may stall WellPoint-Anthem deal

June 10, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Reuters</p> <p>"The merger should be delayed until these questions are answered," Flanagan [of FTCR] said."It's becoming unlikely this will be worked out by the 28th.</p>

Anthem merger runs into roadblock;

June 10, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Delay in deal possible after California's chief says it isn't in state's best interests.</h3><p class="source">The Indianapolis Star</p> <p>The hearing ocurred the day after a California consumer group, FTCR, released a WellPoint document that shows 293 of its executives and managers could reap more than $500 million in merger bonuses, termination payments and stock option gains within three</p>