The Low-Balling of the California Auto Insurance Claim
<h3>Insurers Are Paying Less Since Accident Victims Lost Their Rights</h3>
Insurance
State Auto Insurance rates Down 11.3%
<h3>Critics Question Timing of 4-Year Study's Release</h3><p class="source">San Francisco Chronicle</p>
<p>Auto insurance rates have dropped an average of 11.3 percent in California during the past four years, Insurance Commissioner Chuck Quackenbush said yesterday.</p>
California’s Car Insurance Rates Down 11.3% Since 1995
<h3>States Say its the Biggest Four-Year Decline Ever; Consumer Advocates Complain that Savings Should Be Even Greater</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p>
<p>Auto insurance rates in California dropped 5.7% last year and are down 11.3% since 1995, the largest four-year decline ever, the state Department of Insurance said Wednesday. The announcement immediately triggered criticism from consumer advocates who con</p>
Three Insurers Agree to Issue California Refunds
<p class="source">Journal of Commerce</p>
<p>Of the three companies, Fireman's Fund, Novato, Calif., agreed to issue the largest refund to customers, $76.25 million. Surety bond specialist Insco/Dico Group, of Irvine, Calif. was next at $1.6 million. Michigan Millers Mutual Insurance Company, Lansin</p>
Auto Insurance Reform for the Poor
<p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p>
<p>All California motorists are required to carry auto insurance, but more than 3 million drive uninsured, either dropping coverage as soon as their cars are registered or driving without registration. Most are flouting the law because they can't afford to c</p>
Jury’s Huge Award in HMO Case Renews Debate on Patient’s Rights
<h3>The $120 Million Judgement Against Aetna May Force the Industry to Examine its Policies and Fuel the Drive to Let More Patients Sue</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p>
<p>The stinging $120-million verdict by a San Bernardino County jury against Aetna U.S. Health Care of California may force introspection among HMOs nationwide and heat up the debate over patients' rights to sue them, attorneys, legislators and experts said</p>
Low-cost Auto Insurance Plan Proposed
<h3>Legislature: Latino Lawmaker Urges $300-A-Year Policy For Low-Income Drivers. IndustryGroups Criticize Idea.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p>
<p>In a move to bring affordable auto insurance to millions of poor people, a group of Latino lawmakers wants to make California the first state to require insurers to offer a $ 300 policy to low-income drivers.</p>
Legislation Would Aid Uninsured Drivers
<p class="source">Sacramento Bee</p>
<p>Saying she knows first-hand about trying to survive in Los Angeles without a car, state Sen. Martha Escutia unveiled legislation Wednesday to create a low-cost, no-frills auto insurance policy with a premium of $ 300 per year.</p>
Insurance Legislation
<p class="source">City News Service</p>
<p>A Montebello lawmaker introduced a state bill that would provide $25-a-month auto insurance for low-income drivers.</p>
Bleak Forecast for Future of Health Care
<p class="source">San Francisco Chronicle</p>
<p>As a turbulent decade in American medicine begins its final spin, crystal ball gazers are peering into the future of health care, and they are not finding a pretty picture. In 2010, millions of Americans will still be living without health insurance, wh</p>
Suit Acuses Quackenbush of Inadequate Regulation of Sale of Long-Term Care Policies
<p class="source">Capitol News Service</p>
<p>Two senior groups have filed suit against state Insurance Commissioner Charles Quackenbush, claiming he hasn't done enough to enforce regulations on companies that sell long-term care insurance policies to older Californians. A Quackenbush aide said the c</p>
Agency Tells Kaiser that it Must Cover Viagra
<p class="source">San Francisco Chronicle</p>
<p>The state Department of Corporations ordered Kaiser Foundation Health Plan yesterday to continue covering Viagra prescriptions, rejecting Kaiser's argument that subsidizing potency pills for some men would unfairly raise insurance costs for all members.</p>