Insurance

The high stakes of an insurance claim

March 30, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">San Diego Union-Tribune</p> <p>The object of Pfeffer's ire is State Farm Insurance. The former Rohr Industries buyer said the cost of his homeowner policy increased by 50 percent after his wife, Patricia, called the company to inquire about the extent of their homeowner coverage...</p>

Insured pay price if they try to collect

March 30, 2003  ·  Doug Heller

<p class="source">San Diego Union-Tribune</p> <p>Rising homeowner insurance rates and the threat of policy nonrenewals have made many Californians wary of filing claims for anything short of catastrophic losses.</p>

No need to cap medical malpractice awards

March 29, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Fort Collins Coloradoan</p> <p>With medical insurance costs amounting to only 3.2 percent of the average physicians expenses and with only 2 percent of people injured by physician's negligence, caps on medical malpractice suits would only inflate the checkbooks of insurance agencies a</p>

LAZARUS AT LARGE: Counting up the costs of combat

March 23, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>"The money for the war will ultimately have to come from somewhere," said Doug Heller, a spokesman for the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights in Southern California. "I don't see how you can pay for both cruise missiles and huge tax cuts."</p>

Oregon Doctors Push Legislators for Malpractice-Insurance Relief

March 19, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Register Guard (Eugene, OR)</p> <p>Doctors blame their rising insurance costs on greedy attorneys who, unhindered by a cap, are seeking bigger and bigger jury awards. Attorneys and consumer groups say arrogant doctors are acting in concert with the insurance industry to escape accountabili</p>

COMMENTARY: Insurance ‘Reform’? Consider the Source

March 18, 2003  ·  Jamie Court

<h3>Health-care profiteers aim to grow fatter by feeding off a crisis that has invaded the middle class.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Ultimately, if we really want to cover the uninsured, we're going to need a 2004 ballot initiative that gets past the "Kumbaya" spirit of "Cover the Uninsured" week to the question of who is to blame for the problem.</p>

COMMENTARY: Insurance ‘Reform’? Consider the Source

March 18, 2003  ·  Jamie Court

<h3>Health-care profiteers aim to grow fatter by feeding off a crisis that has invaded the middle class.</h3> <p>Ultimately, if we really want to cover the uninsured, we're going to need a 2004 ballot initiative that gets past the "Kumbaya" spirit of "Cover the Uninsured" week to the question of who is to blame for the problem.</p>

Spoiling the Victors

March 12, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Orange County Register</p> <p>At least 21 of Gov. Gray Davis' aides from his recent reelection campaign now have comfortable state government jobs...</p>

Lobbyists on Both Sides Duel in the Medical Malpractice Debate

March 12, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The New York Times</p> <p>For weeks, trial lawyers and consumer groups fighting against caps have been bringing malpractice victims to the Capitol -- including a 17-year-old girl whose face had been ruined by botched surgeries and a woman whose breasts had been removed unnecessari</p>

Lawmakers told damage caps ineffective

March 11, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>Measures to limit medical malpractice damage awards would make it difficult for victims to get just compensation and do little to reduce insurance costs, lawyers and malpractice victims told a House panel on Tuesday.</p>

Malpractice Reforms Fail To Cure Some States’ Premium Woes

March 10, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">National Underwriter</p> <p>Last week we reported on states where malpractice reforms succeeded in controlling costs. This week we review several states where reforms have not delivered all of their anticipated benefits.</p>

Consumer Group Releases Doctor E-mails Detailing Strike

March 10, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">National Journals Technology Daily</p> <p>In addition to plans of action, the e-mails also included messages that advised physicians to threaten wavering doctors with loss of referrals, the financial mainstay of many private practices.</p>