Consumer Watchdog

Expose. Confront. Change.

Consumer Watchdog

Insurance

Insurance news, investigations, and reform — auto, home, and health insurance rates, claims denials, and industry accountability.
Retired judge nominated to lead insurance office

Retired judge nominated to lead insurance office

<p class="source">San Jose Mercury News</p> <p>In a bid to restore faith in a scandal-ridden department, Gov. Gray Davis on Monday nominated a low-key former state appeals court judge from San Francisco to replace Insurance Commissioner Charles Quackenbush, who resigned in disgrace three weeks ago.</p>
HUMAN GENOME

HUMAN GENOME

<p class="source">St. Louis Post Dispatch</p> <p>The announcement of the mapping of the human genome should be met with suspicion as well as hope. The corporate bid to own and control information about the human genetic code is an omen of the next great struggle facing humanity.</p>
The “QuackQuake” is Over, Now the Clean-Up Must Begin

The “QuackQuake” is Over, Now the Clean-Up Must Begin

<h3>Opinion Editorial</h3><p class="source">Santa Monica Mirror</p> <p>Over six years after the Northridge quake first traumatized L.A., and five, and a half years under Insurance Commissioner Quackenbush, the shaking finally stopped on June 28 when Quackenbush resigned his post as Commissioner.</p>
Corporations Shuffle Patients

Corporations Shuffle Patients

<h3>The integrity of insurance coverage must be protected</h3><p class="source">San Diego Union Tribune</p> <p>Individuals who sit down at their kitchen tables to pick their health insurance plan during the one open-enrollment month per year will find their carefully weighed choice meaningless if a new HMO industry policy of selling patients off like commodities i</p>
United Health sells 225,000 California Members To Blue Shield

United Health sells 225,000 California Members To Blue Shield

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>In a deal symptomatic of the economics driving modern medicine, UnitedHealth Group Inc. Friday announced plans to sell 225,000 California policyholders to Blue Shield of California for $40 million. The proposed transfer drew immediate fire from the Fo</p>