Insurance

HMO Reforms Signed

September 28, 1999  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Sacramento Bee</p> <p>Establishing a system that consumer advocates say will put California at the forefront of the patients' rights movement, Gov. Gray Davis on Monday signed a sweeping package of health care reforms, topped by a measure that will let patients sue their HMOs</p>

Plan to Offer Low-Cost Car Insurance in S.F.

September 10, 1999  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>In a break for low-income drivers, San Francisco will be part of a pilot program offering inexpensive auto insurance under an agreement reached by legislators this week.</p>

Plan to create low-cost auto insurance policies falters in Legislature

September 3, 1999  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>Withering before insurance industry opposition, an attempt to create the nation's first low-cost policy for low-income drivers has been transformed into an experimental project for two counties.</p>

Davis Holds Off on HMO Benefits

September 2, 1999  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Sacramento Bee</p> <p>When Gov. Gray Davis issued an HMO reform plan last month, he put off addressing the question of whether health maintenance organizations should be forced to offer certain new benefits.</p>

Final Four Time For Lawmakers’ Last Push

August 16, 1999  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">State Net Capitol Journal</p> <p>Despite the change from two-party to one-party control of both policy-making branches of government, the traditional end-crunch of activity is shaping up no different -- and some say worst -- from past years when Democrats regularly sparred with Republica</p>

Tales From the Trans Crypt

August 10, 1999  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Courting Disaster</h3><p class="source">Village Voice</p> <p>Accident victims and others who seek damages in court occasionally doubt the independence of the judge, but who would have thought that they need to be wary of the most innocent-seeming of courtroom workers: the court reporter bent over the little machin</p>

Some court reporter contracts give advantage to insurers

July 30, 1999  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>Some court reporters enter contracts with insurers and large corporate defendants that give those litigants an advantage in court, according to study released Friday by a consumer advocacy group.</p>

Court reporting firms’ deals draw fire

July 29, 1999  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Partnerships raise ethical issue</h3><p class="source">The Boston Globe</p> <p>This week, hundreds of court reporters from across the country have gathered in Boston for the centennial anniversary of their role as silent observers who, methodically and unobtrusively, record every word uttered in courtroom proceedings and pretrial de</p>

Caught between Senate and governor’s desk, confusion surrounds year’s major bill

July 24, 1999  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>Even the well-heeled partisans in the fight over the year's major bill, a billion-dollar expansion of the right to file bad-faith lawsuits against insurers and others, don't have a clue about what's happening to the legislation, which was dumped into Capi</p>

Nader Says California Governor Caving In To HMOs

July 19, 1999  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>SACRAMENTO -- Consumer-rights activist Ralph Nader scolded Gov. Gray Davis on Monday for providing "the antithesis of leadership" on health care, contending the governor's judgment has been clouded by campaign donations from HMOs.</p>

Assembly OKs Bill Permitting Suits Against Insurers

July 9, 1999  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Consumers would have added recourse against insurance companies through a controversial measure that passed the Assembly on Thursday. The bill, SB 1237 by Sen. Martha Escutia (D-Whittier), would allow consumers to sue for bad faith when they think insurer</p>

Lawyers win round in high-stakes fight with insurers

July 8, 1999  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>A fiercely lobbied plan that restores the right to file bad-faith lawsuits against automobile insurers and others emerged Thursday from the Assembly, despite complaints from insurers that it would dramatically boost premiums and dismantle a state crackdow</p>