Insurance

California’s New HMO Liability Law — SB 21 — Effective 2001

March 7, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<!-- excerpt --><p>In September 1999, California Governor Gray Davis signed Senate Bill 21 (Figueroa), sponsored by the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consmer Rights, which allows patients to recover damages for HMO corporate negligence. The law takes effect January 1, 200</p>

The TV Told Me to Vote No

March 7, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<!-- excerpt --><p>So much money is invested by politicians and vested business interests in the electoral process these days that it's becoming impossible to draw any conclusions from the outcome of an election.</p>

Backers upset over state department’s proposed rules for low-income plan

March 6, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>The experimental low-cost auto insurance program due to debut this summer in two counties is running into problems. Lawmakers and a consumer group backing the plan are upset over the first set of rules proposed by the state Insurance Department to run the</p>

If Prop. 30 Fails, Insurers Will Have Fooled Electorate Again

March 3, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Oaks Project Opinion Editorial By Jeff Christopherson</h3><p class="source">Ventura County Star</p> <p>They are pulling our strings again and most of us haven't a clue, but we could find one if we look back at the last election.</p>

Aetna Receives $9.9 Billion Takeover Bid From Two Companies

March 2, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">New York TImes</p> <p>Aetna Inc. said yesterday that it had received a $9.9 billion purchase offer last week from ING America Insurance Holdings, a financial services company in the Netherlands, and WellPoint Health Networks, a California-based national managed care company.</p>

Media Mix Column Book Review — Making A Killing: HMOs and The Threat To Your Health (Common Courage Press, 1999)

February 28, 2000  ·  Jamie Court

<p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>There aren't many people who understand the flaws of HMO medicine better than Jamie Court, a tireless consumer activist who is co-founder of Consumers for Quality Care, a health-care watchdog organization that operates under the umbrella of the Foundation</p>

Letter to Governor Davis Regarding Lifeline Auto Insurance Regulations

February 25, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<!-- excerpt --><p>This letter outlines problems with proposed regulations implementing the "Lifeline" low cost auto insurance law developed by FTCR. The regulations were proposed by the CA. Dep't of Insurance.</p>

Fraud Finders

February 20, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Insurance companies and law enforcement agencies chase down people who file bogus claims</h3><p class="source">San Diego</p> <p>Douglas Heller, an advocate with FTCR, says insurers also use the hype surrounding fraud cases to "deny, delay and lowball legitimate claims from honest customers. That' s the way fraud damages consumers."</p>

INSURANCE LAWS QUIETLY TAKE EFFECT

February 14, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>STATE MANDATES REGARDING DIABETES, CONTRACEPTIVES AND PSYCHIATRIC TREATMENT MAY GIVE CONSUMERS EXPANDED BENEFITS</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Bobbie, a 60-year-old South Bay woman living with diabetes for most of her life, wanted to see a nutrition counselor to learn how to better manage her condition. When her health insurer insisted that she'd have to switch to one of its HMO plans to get cov</p>

Consumers Need Propositions 30 and 31

February 14, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Tribune Editorial</h3><p class="source">Oakland Tribune</p> <p>WHEN a special-interest group spends $50 million -- and counting -- to put a proposition on the ballot and get Californians to cast votes against it, you have to be little leery.</p>

Those Sneaky Devils

February 10, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Daily Commerce</p>

Claim Check

February 9, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>The big insurance companies put Proposition 30 on the ballot - so they could fight it.</h3><p class="source">San Francisco Bay Guardian</p> <p>WHEN ROSEMARY SHAHAN was nine years old, her mother was severely injured in a car accident. The other driver was responsible - but his insurance company took 10 years to pay the Shahans' $30,000 medical bills.</p>