Insurance

State Seeks Dismissal of Insurance Settlements

November 21, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Arguing that former state Insurance Commissioner Chuck Quackenbush acted illegally, California Atty. Gen. Bill Lockyer asked the courts Monday to throw out agreements that allowed insurance companies to donate to foundations rather than face fines</p>

Quake insurers taken to court

November 21, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>State wants to void Quackenbush deals</h3><p class="source">Sacramento Bee</p> <p>In a move that could have implications for Northridge earthquake victims, California officials went to court Monday to void disputed insurance company settlements brokered during disgraced former state Insurance Commissioner Chuck Quackenbush's tenure.</p>

Toward A New Political Brand – Volunteer Qualified

November 3, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<!-- excerpt --><p>If politics is the art of the possible, then the first general election of the millennium is sadly signaling that possibilities in the political process exist only for professionals, not volunteers.</p>

STATE JUDICIAL PANEL LIMITS SECRECY IN LAWSUIT RECORDS

October 28, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>The policymaking body for California courts approved new rules Friday that will make it more difficult for parties in lawsuits to keep records secret from the public.</p>

Overhaul urged for California Earthquake Authority

October 26, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>A member of the California Earthquake Authority's ruling board demanded Thursday that the agency be overhauled, contending the complex financial structure that sustains the CEA could fail in the event of a catastrophe.</p>

Consumer Rights’ Group Criticizes Burns For Taking Money From Managed Care Interests

October 20, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>Two consumer interest groups criticized U.S. Sen. Conrad Burns Thursday for accepting campaign funding from managed care interests that oppose a bill of rights for patients.</p>

Difference of Opinions

October 1, 2000  ·  Jamie Court

<p class="source">Sacramento Bee</p> <p>Blue Cross of California thought it was doing a good thing when it rolled out a new line of discounted health plans this week - honest. Blue Cross, the state's largest for-profit health insurer with about 4.5 million members, thought the lower-priced</p>

California: Blue Cross Proposes Lower Premiums

September 29, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">American Healthline</p> <p>In an attempt to reduce the number of uninsured residents, Blue Cross of California proposed yesterday to reduce premiums and raise deductibles for most of its individual policyholders, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. Under the proposal -- which does</p>

Consumer Groups Seek Rate Protection

September 27, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Electricity: Activists push legislators to promise that customers won't be forced to cover rising wholesale costs</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Consumer activists on Tuesday blasted increasingly aggressive strategies by Southern California Edison and the state's other big utilities to recover their mounting wholesale electricity costs and called for lawmakers to promise that ratepayers won't bear</p>

Toward a Seamless System of Health Care

September 25, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<!-- excerpt --><p>The time has come for an overhaul of the indecipherable patchwork of insurance programs to create a single, seamless and sensible system.</p>

Low sworn in as state insurance commissioner

September 19, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>Insurance Commissioner Harry Low took the oath of office Monday, promising to restore public trust in the position his predecessor left under threat of impeachment.</p>

Average HMO Medicare Rate Set to Double

September 16, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Health: Premiums May Even Reach $179 a Month for Some. Little Change Seen for L.A., Orange Counties</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Medicare managed-care plans--often the only way low- and middle-income seniors can afford comprehensive health care--will more than double in cost next year for millions of older Americans.</p>