Insurance

Mercury Slapped With $27.5M Fine Over Improper Premiums

January 12, 2015  ·  Mark Reback

<p>Law360, Los Angeles (January 12, 2015, 6:33 PM ET) -- California’s insurance commissioner has ordered Mercury Insurance Co. to pay a fine of $27.5 million for charging customers excessive premiums in violation of a state law regulating insurance rates, the commissioner’s office said Monday.</p> <p><br /> Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones on Jan. 7 adopted the recommendation of the fine by an administrative law judge who found Mercury willfully violated Proposition 103, which requires the commissioner to approve auto insurers’ rates.</p>

New Year, New Day

December 31, 2014  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p><img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-2842" alt="" class="right" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/images_newyear2015.png" style="width: 311px; height: 207px; margin-left: 7px; margin-right: 7px; float: right;" width="894" height="596" />Fighting abuses at the world's largest corporations isn't easy, but thanks to your support Consumer Watchdog made big some changes in 2014.</p>

Lawsuit: Aetna Drug Policy Discriminates Against HIV/AIDS Patients

December 23, 2014  ·  Mark Reback

<p>A consumer organization and an anonymous HIV/AIDS patient are suing Aetna in federal court, claiming the insurer discriminates against people with HIV/AIDS by requiring them to buy medications through the mail starting Jan. 1.</p> <p>The plaintiffs say the mail order requirement is expensive and violates patients' privacy.</p>

Patient Sues Aetna Over Mail-Order-Only Policy For AIDS Drugs

December 23, 2014  ·  Mark Reback

<p>SAN DIEGO — A consumer advocacy group has filed a lawsuit against Aetna Inc., saying a new policy violates the privacy of people with HIV and AIDS by making them get their medications from its mail-order pharmacy.</p> <div class="article-body"> <div class="article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> <p>Consumer Watchdog, which sued Friday in federal court, says mailing the drugs puts patients’ privacy at risk and is is not a reliable way to ensure people get their medications on time.</p>

Aetna’s HIV Drugs Mail-Order Rule Is Biased, Suit Says

December 22, 2014  ·  Mark Reback

<p>HIV-positive plan subscribers of Aetna Inc. are suing to stop the insurance giant from putting into place a New Year’s policy that they say threatens their health and privacy, according to a putative class action filed in California federal court Friday.</p>

2016 Election Poised For Initiative Avalanche

December 11, 2014  ·  Mark Reback

<p><img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-10909" alt="" class="right" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/images_2014electionlowturnout.jpg" style="width: 211px; height: 439px; margin-left: 7px; margin-right: 7px; float: right;" width="448" height="920" />If an avalanche of citizen initiatives morphs the 2016 ballot pamphlet into an encyclopedia-size volume, blame it on California’s growing legion of nonvoters.</p> <p>November’s record-low turnout means it will be easier than ever to qualify a voter initiative for the ballot, and plenty of groups pushing a cause will probably take advantage.</p>

$312,000 In Savings A Day

December 2, 2014  ·  Carmen Balber

<p><a href="https://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/6563/p/salsa/donation/common/public/?donate_page_KEY=9900"><img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-2834" alt="" class="right" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/images_givingtuesdaytall_0.jpg" style="width: 265px; height: 600px; margin-left: 7px; margin-right: 7px; float: right;" width="265" height="600" /></a>$312,000 a day or $114 million this year. That's how much Consumer Watchdog challenges to excessive auto and homeowners insurance rates saved California families in 2014.<br />

New DTSC Chief’s Vow Against Short-Term Overhaul Spurs Advocates’ Fears

November 20, 2014  ·  Mark Reback

<p>Barbara Lee, the new director of the Department of Toxic Substances Control, is vowing against a need to "change anything or shake anything up in a big way" in the department's management or programs in the short-term, prompting concern from advocates who have urged a major overhaul of DTSC to fix what they claim is a flawed department.</p>

Anthem, Blue Shield Violated State Law, DMHC Report Finds

November 19, 2014  ·  Mark Reback

<div class="block__content block--article__content" id="page_0_content_0_BlockContent">

FTC Says Privacy Certification Company Was Deceptive

November 17, 2014  ·  John M. Simpson

<p>How is a consumer supposed to know if an online company is actually following the practices and keeping the<img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-2832" alt="" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/images_truste_corp_logo.jpg" style="width: 200px; height: 204px; float: right;" width="615" height="626" /> promises that it outlines in its all-too-often almost incomprehensible privacy policy?</p>

When Money Talks, Voters Listen: Group behind propositions 45 and 46 to continue seeking insurance-rate regulation, malpractice law changes

November 17, 2014  ·  Mark Reback

<p>The $100 million spent by insurance companies against two pro-consumer initiatives, coupled with an historically low voter turnout, was a recipe for consumers to lose on Election Day.</p> <p>Total spending for and against California Propositions 45 and 46 outpaced even the most expensive U.S. Senate race in the nation - North Carolina's - where the stakes were control of the Senate.</p>

How Did Local TV Cover California’s Prop 45?

November 11, 2014  ·  Mark Reback

<div id="stcpDiv" style="position: absolute; top: -1999px; left: -1988px;">A quick look at the good and not-so-good from two local stations - See more at: http://www.cjr.org/the_second_opinion/prop_45_local_tv_coverage_cali.php?page=all&print=true#sthash.XGthyGGL.dpuf</div> <p><strong>A quick look at the good and not-so-good from two local stations</strong></p>