Insurance

Bush Enters Fray Over Malpractice

January 17, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The New York Times</p> <p>But many experts cite other factors, including poor investment returns and the insurers' own business practices, for making significant contributions to the premium increases.</p>

Bush Renews Call For Malpractice Caps

January 16, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">CBS TV Evening News</p> <p>Consumer groups are also blasting the Bush plan, saying the insurance industry is to blame for raising premiums in the first place.</p>

Insurance Regulation, Not Malpractice Caps, Stabilize Doctors’ Premiums

January 16, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<!-- excerpt --><p>FTCR compares the impact of the 1988 insurance reform (Proposition 103) on malpractice premiums, on the one hand, and the effect of 1975 restrictions on victims' recovery of non-economic damages (the Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act, or MICRA), on</p>

Cheap car cover for LA drivers

January 15, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Insurance Day</p> <p>As of this month, more low-income Los Angeles and San Francisco residents will qualify for cheap, bare-bones automobile insurance, and on March 1 the cost will drop even more.</p>

Five Dangerous Myths About California’s Medical Malpractice Restrictions

January 15, 2003  ·  Harvey Rosenfield

<!-- excerpt --><p>California's system of capping injured patients' non-economic damages has not saved doctor's money, but it has been harmful and costly to patients.</p>

Health Casts

January 13, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Is the time right in California to institute a prior approval system for health premium increases?</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Business Journal</p> <p>The Foundation for Taxpayer & Consumer Rights thinks the time right in California to institute a prior approval system for health premium increases.</p>

Low-cost car insurance expands

January 12, 2003  ·  Doug Heller

<p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>Starting this year, more low-income San Francisco and Los Angeles residents will qualify for cheap, bare-bones auto insurance, and on March 1, the price will fall even further.</p>

Johnston denies conflict

January 10, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Stockton Record</p> <p>State Sen.-turned-lobbyist Patrick Johnston says his clients gained nothing from his unpaid role helping Gov. Gray Davis hammer out a plan to bridge the $35 billion budget gap.</p>

Op-ed: Insurance industry gambled our money and lost

January 7, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Houston Chronicle</p> <p>Insurance on your car or home is supposed to provide some security that if something goes wrong, it can't go too wrong. Unfortunately, things have been going very wrong for too many Texas families.</p>

Background of new Senate majority leader, Bill Frist of Tennessee

January 7, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">National Public Radio (NPR) Morning Edition</p> <p>Frist projects a more modern image of the South and a more moderate image of his party. But not everyone believes that image reflects the reality of Frist's voting record and views. NPR's Andrea Seabrook reports.</p>

PEACE OF MIND COSTS MORE;

January 5, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>INSURANCE PREMIUMS RISE AT RECORD RATE TO COVER HUGE PAYOUTS</h3><p class="source">The Daily Press</p> <p>Homeowners in Virginia are experiencing the steepest increases ever in insurance rates. After years of small incremental increases, the insurance industry has embarked on a new strategy to stay profitable, and that means insured customers are paying far</p>

Activists slam Davis for letting two lobbyists help him draft budget

January 4, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The San Jose Mercury News</p> <p>The special access given to Phil Isenberg and Patrick Johnston sparked criticism from consumer activists and political reform advocates, who said neither man should be allowed to take part in closed-door budget talks</p>