Insurance

Senate panel hears debate on federal regulatory role

October 27, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Business Insurance</p> <p>Support may be growing for some sort of federal role in insurance regulation, if the testimony of witnesses at a Senate Commerce Committee hearing last week is any indication.</p>

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA FIRESTORMS; Dangers Serve as Coverage Reminders;

October 27, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Homeowners should inventory belongings for insurance. After a fire, they are advised to be alert and handle any problems quickly.</h3><p class="source">The Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Douglas Heller with FTCR, a watchdog group, said homeowners should contact the state Insurance Department immediately if they have problems getting claims settled -- and be sure to get all communication with carriers in writing.</p>

Options eyed for high insurance costs;

October 26, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Maine, California provide models for universal coverage</h3><p class="source">The Tallahassee Democrat</p> <p>"It's the biggest thing in health care since Medicare or Medicaid. It requires employers to buy health care for employees," said Jerry Flanagan, an advocate with FTCR in California. "It will provide health insurance for a million more people."</p>

Energy issue will test Schwarzenegger’s skills

October 26, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Contra Costa Times (California)</p> <p>The embrace of the dispatched governor's energy policies by the new administration promises to play like "a Schwarzenegger movie in which the hero kills the enemy and steals his identity," said Doug Heller, senior consumer advocate with FTCR.</p>

Declaration of Chris Micheli, Mercury Insurance Lobbyist

October 24, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>FTCR et al v. John Garamendi</h3> <p>The declaration of Mercury Insurance Lobbyist, Chris Micheli, concerning the firm's interaction with the office of Governor Gray Davis regarding SB 841 (2003)</p>

Health executive to be chief of staff for Schwarzenegger

October 23, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Mary Anne Ostrom and Ann E. Marimow; Mercury News</h3><p class="source">San Jose Mercury News (California)</p> <p>Some consumer advocates are worried about her HMO ties. Jerry Flanagan of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights said, ''An HMO lobbyist does not deserve to be a leading part of an administration that has pledged to stand up to special interest</p>

Insurance companies using incentives to encourage members to become healthier

October 22, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">CBS-TV Evening News (6:30 PM ET)</p> <p>Mr. COURT: This is very much, I think, a marketing strategy to attract the best risks. But what does that mean for the people who are sick or older or chronically ill?</p>

HMO PROFITS RISING AGAIN; PREMIUM INCREASES MAY FUEL 16% GAIN

October 22, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Daily News of Los Angeles</p> <p>Jaime Court, president of The Foundation For Taxpayer & Consumer Rights in Santa Monica said, "The supermarket and mass-transit strikes are the ripple effects of the excesses and greed of an insurance industry that has bought Sacramento."</p>

Consumer Group Sues Nextel

October 22, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Consumer group FTCR sued Nextel Communications Inc. on Tuesday, alleging that the mobile phone company's new statements hide details on calls to avoid billing disputes and boost revenue.</p>

Proposition 103: A Model for Insurance Regulation

October 22, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Testimony of Douglas Heller Before US Senate Commerce Committee - 10/22/03</h3>

THEIRS FOR THE TAKING: SENSITIVE CREDIT DATA RESALE OF REPORTS DEPENDS ON AN HONOR SYSTEM THAT GOES UNPOLICED

October 19, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Boston Globe</p> <p>"It's basically a black market in information that leads back to one place, the credit bureaus," said Jamie Court, the executive director of FTCR. "This information isn't falling off a truck. It's being delivered."</p>

Portland praised for curbing business clout

October 16, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>A consumer foundation gives the city good marks for limiting the intrusion of corporations in public life</h3><p class="source">The Oregonian</p> <p>Foundation Executive Director Jamie Court said the report grew out of the foundation's work, which has included lobbying for the regulation of insurance rates and health maintenance organizations and against electricity deregulation.</p>