Insurance

Midsize Firms in Pacific Region Bear Brunt of Rising Health Costs

July 24, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Los Angeles Daily News</p> <p>Double-digit increases in health benefit costs have hurt the state's midsize companies hardest because they lack the power of larger firms to negotiate better coverage or the ability of small businesses to cut benefits according to a new industry survey.</p>

HR 4600 Will Harm Patients & Enrich Only Insurers

July 17, 2002  ·  Jamie Court

<h3>Testimony of Jamie Court</h3> <p>In an age where expanding patients' rights has become a national demand, HR 4600 would dramatically contract patients' rights across the nation. This anti-consumer legislation will shield HMOs and providers they influence from legal accountability</p>

Transcript Re: Corporate Responsibility

July 3, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">CNN TV - LOU DOBBS MONEYLINE</p> <p>The California Senate passed a law that would hold corporate executives personally liable for failing to report suspected accounting fraud at their companies. The law would also prohibit executives from making statements intended to inflate the value...</p>

Editorial – Protect Whistleblowers

July 1, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>The state's energy crisis, the collapse of Enron, Arthur Andersen's document shredding and the resulting scandal that cost investors billions of dollars and ordinary citizens their life savings, should have taught us a lesson about financial fraud and</p>

Consumer Group Becomes Feared Force

July 1, 2002  ·  Doug Heller

<p class="source">Merced Sun-Star</p> <p>Nobody elected Harvey Rosenfield or Doug Heller or Jamie Court. But on pocketbook issues from insurance rates to electricity policy and health care, their Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights has now emerged as one of the most significant players i</p>

Consumer Group Becomes Feared Force

July 1, 2002  ·  Doug Heller

<p class="source">Merced Sun-Star</p> <p>Nobody elected Harvey Rosenfield or Doug Heller or Jamie Court. But on pocketbook issues from insurance rates to electricity policy and health care, their Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights has now emerged as one of the most significant players i</p>

Telecom Update: CPUC Commissioner Duque Case Stayed

June 28, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Communications Daily</p> <p>Cal. appeals court stayed lower court ruling that would oust PUC Comr. Henry Duque from office because of financial conflict of interest. Cal. Court of Appeals for First Dist. issued stay without comment.</p>

Enron-inspired whistle-blower measure faces Assembly battle

June 26, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">San Gabriel Valley Tribune</p> <p>Legislation narrowly approved last week by the state Senate that would require corporate executives to report a company's suspected illegal activities now faces a tough battle in the Assembly where consumer advocates say many Democrats are more beholden</p>

Editorial: Do-nothing Politics;

June 25, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>When the going gets tough, more and more lawmakers are taking a walk</h3><p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>An outbreak of spinelessness has struck the California Assembly. Significant bills are failing because legislators are turning strategically silent or absent at key moments. The problem is, the rules require a majority of all committee members - not just</p>

Court: States can make HMOs pay for procedures

June 21, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The San Diego Union-Tribune</p> <p>In a 5-4 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled yesterday that states can force health plans to pay for procedures recommended by outside independent parties</p>

Bill Would Force Whistleblowing

June 21, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Senate measure would compel corporate officers to report any illegal activities they hear about</h3><p class="source">Contra Costa Times</p> <p>Consumer advocates hailed the passage of legislation Thursday that would force corporate officers to report any illegal activities they learn of or face a fine of up to $100,000.</p>

‘Snitch’ bill passed by state Senate

June 21, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Whistle-blower measure an outgrowth of corporate scandals</h3><p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>Despite warnings that California could become a land of snitches, the state Senate approved legislation Thursday requiring executives to tell the attorney general about accounting abuses and creating a government hot line for whistle-blowers.</p>