Insurance

State Farm to Sell Home Insurance in State Again;

September 24, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Insurer's limited return to the market on Oct. 1 comes after a restructuring of its California offices.</h3><p class="source">The Los Angeles Times</p> <p>On Tuesday, an industry critic with FTCR said trends in the stock market also could be encouraging insurers to increase sales. "They don't want to miss an opportunity to invest new premium dollars in the rising market," said Doug Heller of FTCR.</p>

Court ruling on “Do Not Call” list registry stirs ire of Congress

September 24, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">CNN - Lou Dobbs Moneyline (6:00pm EST)</p> <p>JAMIE COURT, FTCR: I was able to go on the Internet and buy for $26 the social security numbers of John Ashcroft, CIA Director George Tenet and just about every other cabinet member, that's how available the information is.</p>

RECALL NOTEBOOK; Group Accuses Davis of Bill-Signing Deal

September 23, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Los Angeles Times</p> <p>A consumer watchdog group charged Monday that $175,000 in contributions by Mercury General Corp. to Gov. Gray Davis' anti-recall effort were in exchange for the governor's signature last month on a car insurance bill the company wanted.</p>

Insurance industry starts crying uncle over damage claims due to Hurricane Isabel

September 19, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Minnesota Public Radio - Marketplace</p> <p>Mr. DOUG HELLER (FTCR): Insurance companies are risk assessors. That's what the industry is about, that's what they're supposed to do. So it's outrageous that there is discussion of using Hurricane Isabel as an excuse to raise rates.</p>

State Must Take All Its Medicine for Flawed Health Plan to Work

September 17, 2003  ·  Jamie Court

<!-- excerpt --><p>If California is to become a national model for establishing employer-based health coverage, the Legislature must rein in costs so that employers and employees -- who pay 20% of the cost -- can actually afford the product they're being required to buy.</p>

Commentary: State Must Take All Its Medicine for Flawed Health Plan to Work

September 17, 2003  ·  Jamie Court

<p class="source">The Los Angeles Times</p> <p>If California is to become a national model for establishing employer-based health coverage, the Legislature must rein in costs so that employers and employees -- who pay 20% of the cost -- can actually afford the product they're being required to buy.</p>

CALIFORNIA: NEW YORK TIMES LOOKS AT DEBATE OVER ‘PLAY-OR-PAY’ BILL

September 17, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">American Health Line</p> <p>- Although the bill is "good in theory," its "fatal flaw is the absence of price controls," Jamie Court, executive director of the California-based Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights.</p>

CALIFORNIA HEALTH BILL MUST TRAVERSE TOUGH ROAD TO SET PRECEDENT

September 17, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">BestWire</p> <p>FTCR supports the goal of expanding health coverage, Court said, but insists that without controls on costs, the measure would simply lead to even more onerous burdens imposed on employees.</p>

Insurance bill has hefty price tag;

September 16, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Measure may violate federal regulations</h3><p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>"States are allowed to regulate insurance, but this mandates benefits for a whole class of large employers with businesses in other states," said Jamie Court, of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, a consumer watchdog group.</p>

Garamendi promoting reform, himself;

September 15, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>California Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi seeks workers' compensation reform</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Business Journal</p> <p>"The truth is Garamendi has stared the insurance industry in the eye, called their bluff and collected money for the public, I can't think of any other statewide politician who has done the same," said Jamie Court with FTCR.</p>

California regulator cuts SCPIE med mal rate hike;

September 15, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Investigation prompts commissioner's denial of 15.6% proposed increase</h3><p class="source">Business Insurance</p> <p>"We challenged this proposed rate hike because we believe SCPIE was trying to charge excessive premiums," said Douglas Heller, FTCR's senior consumer advocate. "They were just out of line."</p>

Legislature OKs Small Business Health Coverage;

September 14, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Beginning in 2006, employers would be required to provide insurance coverage to 1 million of the state's working poor.</h3><p class="source">The Los Angeles Times</p> <p>However, Jerry Flanagan, lobbyist for the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, charged that the bill provided no cost controls for either the employer or employee. He said limits should be set on the rates of insurers, hospitals and physicians.</p>