Consumer Watchdog

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Consumer Watchdog

Insurance

Insurance news, investigations, and reform — auto, home, and health insurance rates, claims denials, and industry accountability.
Governor to keep $100,000 from workers’ comp insurer

Governor to keep $100,000 from workers’ comp insurer

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>"I think what is going on is every so often Schwarzenegger will return a contribution in order to clean himself," said Doug Heller with FTCR. "If you take a bath but don't use soap you're still dirty. I think that's what's going on here."</p>
Save Prop. 103

Save Prop. 103

<p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>California's congressional delegation needs to work hard -- and fast -- to stop federal legislation that could undermine this state's voter-approved controls on auto insurance rates.</p>
Letter To President Bush and Senator Kerry

Letter To President Bush and Senator Kerry

<h3>Shell Documents Show Need For National Moratorium On Refinery Closures</h3> <p>We write you with new internal Shell documents showing manipulation of supply at domestic refineries and ask that both of you call for an immediate moratorium on refinery closures in the United States.</p>
Hitch in Workers’ Comp Reform;

Hitch in Workers’ Comp Reform;

<h3>State legislators debate whether imposing rate caps on premiums would relieve employers or drive away insurers.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>California deregulated workers' compensation insurance in 1995. That is one of the major reasons the workers' comp system is such a mess, said Douglas Heller, executive director of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights in Santa Monica.</p>
Lawyer tapped to run state’s regulatory office

Lawyer tapped to run state’s regulatory office

<p class="source">Contra Costa Times (California)</p> <p>Doug Heller, of the Santa Monica-based FTCR, which has criticized Schwarzenegger's freeze of certain state regulations, expressed concerns about the controversy from Heidig's past and said it's extremely important that the agency be beyond reproach.</p>
To lower drug costs, strike while iron’s hot

To lower drug costs, strike while iron’s hot

<p class="source">The Californian (Salinas, CA)</p> <p>Two bills before the Assembly that would place affordable prescription drugs within the reach of California consumers and businesses deserve support. Urge your lawmakers to get behind them.</p>
Garamendi, activists assail bid to deregulate insurance

Garamendi, activists assail bid to deregulate insurance

<h3>Foundation says Republican congressman's proposal would "eviscerate Proposition 103"</h3><p class="source">Oakland Tribune</p> <p>California consumer activists and the state's insurance commissioner criticized a Republican proposal to remove state price controls on insurance premiums and shift regulation of the industry to the federal government.</p>
The Litiginator

The Litiginator

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">Arnold's war on litigation -- which includes an effort to help his car dealer and insurance company donors gut the state's Unfair Business Competition Law -- preserves the kind of litigiousness...</font>
Memo to California Congressional Delegation

Memo to California Congressional Delegation

<h3>Re: Proposal to Federalize and Deregulate Insurance Oversight</h3> <p>FTCR's memo to the California delegation concerning the attack on Proposition 103 contained in Rep. Oxley's proposal to deregulate the insurance industry.</p>