Insurance

City Hall watchdog slapped with suit; Government watchdog faces cross-complaint

April 23, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Pasadena Star-News</p> <p>He sued City Hall to force officials to put a voter-approved anti-corruption ballot measure on the books, and now the city is suing back.</p>

CALPERS: BOARD APPROVES 25% PREMIUM RISE, DROPS TWO HMOS

April 18, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">American Health Line</p> <p>As expected, the board of the California Public Employees' Retirement System, the second-largest purchaser of health insurance after the federal government, yesterday approved a 25.1% increase in premiums for the system's HMO plans in 2003,</p>

Healthy Profits Don’t Equal Good Health

April 18, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>If the California Public Employees' Retirement System--the Goliath of buyers--can get stepped on, then without new controls the little guys--small businesses and individual purchasers--will be crushed.</p>

Healthy Profits Don’t Equal Good Health

April 18, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Without state oversight, insurers can raise premiums to cover bad investments.</h3> <p>The announcement by the nation's second-largest purchaser of health insurance that it expects to pay an average 25% more in premiums next year should sound an alarm bell in Sacramento that following the money in the health care system is as important as d</p>

Health-Care Costs Jump At Calpers; Big Premium Increase May Signal Trend

April 17, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Washington Post</p> <p>Health insurance premiums for California's 1.2 million state employees and retirees are likely to jump a record 25 percent next year, officials said yesterday, delivering an ominous warning for the rest of the nation about rising medical costs.</p>

CalPERS likely to up premiums;

April 17, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Health care State employees could pay 25% more next year. Other employers might follow suit.</h3><p class="source">The Orange County Register</p> <p>Health-insurance premiums for public workers throughout the state are headed toward a stunning 25 percent increase next year, after a decision Tuesday by a key committee of the California Public Employees' Retirement System.</p>

CALPERS: EXPECTED TO RAISE PREMIUMS 25%, DROP TWO HMO’S

April 17, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">American Health Line</p> <p>The California Public Employees' Retirement System, the second-largest purchaser of health care behind the federal government, is expected today to approve a "historic" 25% increase in health insurance premiums for next year, the San Jose Mercury News</p>

Regulators Broke Law, Suit Claims;

April 12, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Courts: A consumer group takes on PUC over settlement with Edison, PG&E plan</h3><p class="source">The Los Angeles Times</p> <p>A consumer group asked the California Supreme Court on Thursday to declare that state regulators violated the law when they entered into a settlement with Southern California Edison and proposed a reorganization plan for Pacific Gas & Electric Co.</p>

Consumer rights group sues PUC

April 12, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>LAWSUIT BLASTS COMMISSION'S BAILOUT PLAN FOR BANKRUPT PG&E</h3><p class="source">San Jose Mercury News</p> <p>A consumer rights group is suing the California Public Utilities Commission, saying the agency is "out of control" and illegally trying to force ratepayers to foot PG&E's huge bankruptcy bill.</p>

Stock Ownership Conflict Costs PUC Commissioner His Seat

April 5, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>The judge finds that Henry Duque was not dishonest but rules he should have known of the conflict of interest.</h3><p class="source">San Francisco Daily Journal</p> <p>In a tentative ruling, a San Francisco judge has ousted a state utility commissioner from office because he owned stock in a company regulated by the commission.</p>

Judge orders PUC Commissioner Duque removed from office

April 4, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>A state judge ordered California Public Utilities Commission member Henry Duque removed from office Thursday for investing $10,000 in a mobile phone company regulated by the commission.</p>

3rd Man Accused in Insurance Dept. Scandal;

April 3, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Crime: Businessman, who led a foundation created by Chuck Quackenbush, faces eight criminal charges, including theft of funds.</h3><p class="source">The Los Angeles Times</p> <p>A businessman who as a favor to a friend joined a charitable foundation created by former Insurance Commissioner Chuck Quackenbush has been charged with eight felonies, including the theft of $18,000 in foundation funds.</p>