Insurance

Do-not-fax law a two-edged sword

August 7, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Oshkosh Northwestern (Oshkosh, WI)</p> <p>"While we're frustrated with junk mail, with junk faxes, we're paying for the paper, we're paying for toner. Our fax machine is being tied up while we're waiting for an important real fax," said Doug Heller, consumer advocate with FTCR.</p>

Davis signs bill giving good drivers lower insurance premiums

August 6, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>Davis' signing has enraged consumer activist Harvey Rosenfield, the author of Proposition 103, who has said he will file a lawsuit over the bill. Rosenfield is expected to announce Thursday whether he will run for governor on the recall ballot</p>

THE DAVIS RECALL Insurance reformer vows governor will pay for OK

August 5, 2003  ·  Harvey Rosenfield

<p class="source">Contra Costa Times (California)</p> <p>The weekend signing of a bill similar to one the governor vetoed last year outraged consumer advocate Harvey Rosenfield. The registered independent declared he will either run for governor in the recall, endorse a replacement candidate or campaign to boot</p>

Davis signs insurance discount bill Foes say the law will hurt young, immigrant and low-income drivers.

August 5, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Sacramento Bee</p> <p>"Governor Davis has sold out California voters on behalf of Mercury Insurance and other insurance companies that have been among his biggest donors," said Harvey Rosenfield, president of FTCR. "This bill symbolizes the pervasive corruption of California."</p>

A Bevy of Bills Is Signed;

August 5, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Added protections for transgender residents, auto insurance measure are among new laws.</h3><p class="source">The Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Harvey Rosenfield, author of Prop 103, argued that SB 841 would increase the number of uninsured drivers in California by making coverage more expensive for those least able to afford it.</p>

No definitive answers; GAO report weakens some of docs’ arguments

August 4, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Modern Healthcare</p> <p>"The report undermines the argument that there is any silver-bullet solution in tort reforms and caps on damages,"' said Doug Heller, senior consumer advocate for the nonpartisan Foundation for Taxpayer & Consumer Rights in Santa Monica, Calif.</p>

Davis signs bill giving discount to insured drivers

August 4, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>Consumer activists were fuming Monday after Gov. Gray Davis signed a bill allowing discounts to drivers who maintain auto insurance coverage, saying it benefited a major campaign contributor and penalized first-time insurance buyers.</p>

Book warns about the dangers of ‘corporateering’

August 4, 2003  ·  Jamie Court

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>Corporateering means the act of putting commercial gain over individual, social or cultural gain. A corporateer is one who makes commerce a priority over culture.</p>

Everybody at Risk Uninsured in W.Va. Insurance:

August 3, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>With & Without In West Virginia: 'We wanted to be different'</h3><p class="source">Charleston Gazette (West Virginia)</p> <p>"The system that depends on health insurance that comes through the workplace is breaking down," said Jerry Flanagan, consumer advocate at FTCR. "A lot of small business owners genuinely want to offer insurance, but basically, the only thing they have</p>

Kaiser sees rise in net income; HMO says premiums could rise next year

August 2, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Alameda Times-Star (Alameda, CA)</p> <p>"It's the height of hypocrisy that Kaiser is a nonprofit but recording record revenue while premiums to consumers increase 20 to 30 percent.", said Jerry Flanagan, spokesman for FTCR</p>

GAO FINDS NO SINGLE CAUSE FOR HIGHER MEDICAL-LIABILITY PREMIUMS

July 29, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">BestWire</p> <p>The California-based Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, however, said the GAO report called for no such cap and called on the insurance industry to open up its books to public scrutiny.</p>

Safeco Seeks Nearly 20% Rate Hike to Resume Selling Home Insurance;

July 26, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>The request for a fourth increase in three years comes just days after the company said it would halt sales because of a new state regulation.</h3><p class="source">The Los Angeles Times</p> <p>"This is exactly what Enron did during the energy crisis, when power companies refused to make electricity available if we refused to pay exorbitant prices," said Doug Heller, a spokesman for FTCR.</p>