Insurance

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>

Concern Voiced on HMO Merger;

June 10, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Proposed takeover of WellPoint by Anthem 'is not in the best interest' of Californians, state insurance chief says.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>"Gov. Schwarzenegger and state regulators have failed to adequately address serious questions about how the proposed merger will affect patient care," said Jerry Flanagan of FTCR. "The merger must be delayed until those questions are answered."</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>

FTCR’s “Friend of the Court” Brief for Poirer v. State Farm Insurance

June 9, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

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Consumer Watch – Changing carriers shouldn’t have to mean trashing old cell phone

June 9, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Philadelphia Inquirer</p> <p>FTCR, a consumer organization in California took the campaign a step further this week. It filed a lawsuit in state court there against three national carriers that use compatible technology but routinely "lock" their phones to prevent them from being act</p>

Handset-locking lawsuit expected

June 7, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">RCR Wireless News</p> <p>The suit, which claims the three wireless carriers violated the California Unfair Business Practices Act, seeks to halt a practice known as handset locking and to compensate consumers.</p>

Insurer bill gets a mixed reaction

June 6, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Bill's author says it reduces red tape, but critic claims it strips away protections.</h3><p class="source">Tulsa World (Oklahoma)</p> <p>"This 'use and file' system demonstrates that the insurance industry has been able to succeed in getting what it wants," said Douglas Heller, senior consumer advocate with FTCR. "Use and file is what insurance executives dream about when they go to bed."</p>

INSURANCE BILL DRAWS COMPLAINTS;

June 6, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>CRITICS SAY LEGISLATION'S LANGUAGE IS TOO BROAD TO PROTECT CONSUMERS</h3><p class="source">Charlotte Observer (North Carolina)</p> <p>North Carolina lawmakers introduced legislation Wednesday intended to protect consumers who only ask their insurance company a question but get tagged as filing a claim. However, consumer advocates said the bill is so broad that it doesn't do a bit of goo</p>

CALIFORNIA EXECUTIVE PAY REPORT – Big Perks Put Seven CEOs in a Whole ‘Other’ Club;

June 6, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Insurance, forgiven loans, corporate jet travel and 'gross-ups' are key features of their million-dollar packages.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>"I think even Caesar had to pay taxes," said Jamie Court, president of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights in Santa Monica. "We've now outdone the Romans in pandering to the guys at the top."</p>

Health-care crunch hits Temecula

June 5, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">North County Times</p> <p>"The unfortunate easy answer of rising health care costs is to have the employee pass on the rising costs to teachers," said Jerry Flanagan, consumer advocate for FTCR, who works with employers to help address the root causes of health care increases.</p>

INSURERS HIKE TAB TO COVER HOUSE;

June 3, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>HOMEOWNER RATE RISE IS 5-YEAR LOW</h3><p class="source">The Daily News of Los Angeles</p> <p>"We actually don't believe there needs to be any rate increase in California due to the fires because homeowners have been buying insurance for years to cover a disaster like last year's wildfires," said Doug Heller with FTCR.</p>

Anthem merger faces public hearing;

June 3, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>California panel will scrutinize $16.4 billion takeover of WellPoint</h3><p class="source">The Indianapolis Star</p> <p>The hearing will air the whole range of concerns about how this merger could negatively impact patient care, said Jerry Flanagan, consumer advocate for the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, a California consumer group that will take part in the</p>