Insurance

Malpractice Award Cap Seems Doomed

April 13, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Hartford Courant (Connecticut)</p> <p>"People in Connecticut keep saying an award cap implemented in California resulted in lower rates, but that's not the case," said Doug Heller of the California-based Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights.</p>

CONSUMERS WANT HEALTH INSURERS TO GET RATE INCREASES APPROVED

April 11, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">BestWire</p> <p>Citing what they called "excessive and unfair health-care premiums" and high rates of uninsureds, consumer advocates are sponsoring a bill in the California Senate that would place health insurers into a prior-rate approval system.</p>

Briefs from the state Capitol – Med-Mal Caps

April 11, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>Douglas Heller, a consumer advocate with the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights in California, told lawmakers that insurance reform, not caps, ultimately lowered rates in his state.</p>

Krumme v. Mercury Insurance

April 11, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Insurer Must Stop Misleading Advertising</h3> <p>In Krumme v. Mercury Insurance, SF Sup. Court Judge Robert Dondero ruled that Mercury Insurance agents were charging consumers illegal broker fees and that Mercury Insurance was improperly advertising rates which were lower than consumers would actually p</p>

Bill would regulate health plan increases

April 10, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>California health care plans would have to seek government approval before raising rates under a bill unveiled this week at the state Capitol.</p>

State Approval of HMO, Insurer Rates Proposed;

April 9, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Sen. Figueroa's bill targets 'excessive' health-care costs that she says mean no insurance coverage for thousands of residents.</h3><p class="source">The Los Angeles Times</p> <p>In a new attack on steeply rising health-care costs in California, consumer advocates and senior organizations Tuesday demanded that insurance companies and health maintenance organizations submit to state approval before increasing their rates.</p>

Health insurer hikes targeted;

April 9, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>A bill would require state approval to raise premiums.</h3><p class="source">Sacramento Bee</p> <p>Fifteen years after California voters required auto insurers to get state approval before raising rates, Democratic leaders Tuesday introduced a measure that would subject health insurers to similar scrutiny.</p>

Bill would rein in increases to health insurance

April 9, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Oakland Tribune</p> <p>With no relief in sight from rising health insurance costs, three lawmakers introduced a bill Tuesday requiring state approval before health insurance companies can increase premiums, co-payments, deductibles or other charges.</p>

Bill seeks cure for health care premiums;

April 9, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Insurance hikes would need OK</h3><p class="source">The Daily News of Los Angeles</p> <p>The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights is sponsoring legislation introduced Tuesday that would require health insurers to gain state approval before raising premiums.</p>

Opponents of massive punitive damage awards get a boost from US Supreme Court decision

April 8, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Minnesota Public Radio - Marketplace AM Report</p> <p>Mr. HARVEY ROSENFIELD (FTCR): This decision today says that you cannot penalize an insurance company where it hurts them the most, in the pocketbook, for refusing to pay claims properly. And that's just going to be a license to steal.</p>

Bill seeks state say in HMO rate increases

April 8, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The San Diego Union-Tribune</p> <p>The state's most powerful legislator is backing a proposal aimed at making health insurance more affordable without costing the cash-strapped state any money. The plan would require state approval of HMO rates for the first time.</p>

Bill may lower health care costs

April 8, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>State to consider legislation that would give it the power to restrict rate increases by health insurers</h3><p class="source">Contra Costa Times</p> <p>Aiming to halt the yearly hikes in health care premiums that are straining employers and individuals, California legislators will introduce today a bill to dramatically change the way rates are set by giving state regulators the power to veto excessive in</p>