Insurance

Bill would make it easier to drop policyholders

February 24, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Charleston Gazette (West Virginia)</p> <p>Insurance rates could actually increase if the bill passes, said Doug Heller, a consumer advocate with FTCR. "If insurance companies can freely kick people off the rolls, they will do that when times get tight, then sign people up again at higher prices."</p>

17200 proponents take fight to corporate doorstep

February 24, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Recorder</p> <p>"It's seen as a lawyers versus the corporations issue. It's really... public interest versus big corporations," said Jamie Court, who is president of the Foundation for Taxpayer & Consumer Rights.</p>

The Arnold Index

February 24, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">On Meet the Press yesterday, Arnold advised President Bush about giving and getting in politics: "You know, what you would do for them, they will do back for you."<br/> <br/> For...</font>

Arnold’s first 100 days win praise;

February 22, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>4 goals complete, others under way</h3><p class="source">The Daily News of Los Angeles</p> <p>"Schwarzenegger has been fund raising even faster than Gov. Gray Davis, the person who wrote the book on cash-register politics," said Jerry Flanagan, a consumer advocate at the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights.</p>

Schwarzenegger breaks fundraising record at up to $500,000 for dinner seat

February 21, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Guardian UK</p> <p>Critics question the actor's judgment in travelling to New York to solicit money to solve California's budget crisis, and ask just how committed he is to curbing the influence of business in politics.</p>

Arnold’s $100,00 per day habit & 1% Rebate

February 21, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">As the 100th day of the Arnold Administration approaches next Tuesday, campaign finance reports show the Governor who said he didn't need anyone else's money will have raised more than $100,000...</font>

WEDDING PERKS: Married couples save on inheritance, insurance

February 20, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>An unmarried couple pays about 22 percent more for car insurance than a married one, according to Doug Heller of FTCR. Homeowners insurers may require one partner to be treated as a renter. Life insurance firms can challenge a partner's "insurable interes</p>

Perata’s income is under inquiry

February 20, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Contra Costa Times (California)</p> <p>"The appearance of this scheme goes beyond an ethical violation and may be an illegal laundering mechanism that has been used to enrich an elected official," wrote Douglas Heller, FTCR's senior consumer advocate.</p>

Consumer lawsuits targeted;

February 20, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Watchdogs say Correa bill, business-backed initiative would weaken ability to sue.</h3><p class="source">The Orange County Register (California)</p> <p>"This is an assault -- not on (consumer) attorneys, as it's being presented -- but on public-interest groups' ability to stop pollution, deception, predatory lending and discrimination and an assault on keeping society safe," said Jamie Court</p>

Pattern of Perata’s donations scrutinized;

February 17, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Finance watchdog suspects senator's aid, income linked</h3><p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>A developer and longtime ally of state Sen. Don Perata opened a political committee last year to raise money for Democrats across the state. The fund quickly collected $135,000 from four corporations -- all of which have donated generously to Perata.</p>

SPECIAL REPORT: CONTROLLING MEDICAL COST; HEALTH IN THEIR HANDS;

February 15, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Self-directed medical coverage plans encourage management of expenses, reductionof controllable risks</h3><p class="source">Press Enterprise (Riverside, CA)</p>

Jeffrey O’Connell – University of Virginia Law Professor

February 13, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>He supports the Insurance Industry, and it supports him</h3>