Insurance

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>

Low Cost Auto Coverage Eyed

July 5, 1999  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Plan Would Insure Poor</h3><p class="source">Stockton Record</p> <p>Leslie Brewer of Stockton didn't buy car insurance until the state put teeth in its mandatory insurance law in 1996. Now she's shelling out $39.91 a month for the minimum coverage allowed by law.</p>

Lawmakers try to cut car insurance costs for poor

July 5, 1999  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>The math is daunting if you're an average motorist in South-Central Los Angeles who must drive to work, like nearly everyone else in California's car-dependent culture.</p>

HMO Rates Going Up 9.7 Percent in 2000 for 1 Million CALPERS members

May 19, 1999  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press State & Local Wire</p> <p>Health care premiums for more than 1 million state and local government employees and retirees will increase next year by an average of 9.7 percent, the California Public Employees' Retirement System says.</p>

CALPERS Rate Hike

May 19, 1999  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">San Diego Union-Tribune</p> <p>Like the fever spike of a sudden illness, California's biggest buyer of health insurance said yesterday that it will pay an average premium hike of 9.7 percent for its members next year. The announcement by California Public Employees' Retirement Syste</p>

Quake Insurance Squabble Splitting Along Party Lines

May 13, 1999  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>After months of behind-the-scenes sparring, state Treasurer Phil Angelides is forcing a showdown with Insurance Commissioner Chuck Quackenbush over control of the state agency that provides earthquake coverage to nearly 1 million California homeowners.</p>

Tort Reform Advocacy Group Changes Name, Angering Opponents

May 4, 1999  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Metropolitan News Service</p> <p>The Association for California Tort Reform announced yesterday that it has changed its name to the Civil Justice Association of California to more accurately reflect its advocacy goals.</p>

Consumer, business groups fight over name change

May 3, 1999  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>What's in a name? Apparently a lot if you're in politics. The Association for California Tort Reform, a group that mainly represents businesses and lobbies for legislation that limits the ability to recover damages in court, announced Monday that it has</p>

Firms say plan favors L.A. over Bay Area

April 22, 1999  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>A key Assembly committee yesterday approved a bill creating low-cost insurance programs that insurance companies said will force Bay Area motorists to subsidize Los Angeles drivers.</p>