Insurance

Big Bucks Swamp Populist California Ballot Measures

November 5, 2014  ·  Mark Reback

<p>So much for populism. At least when it comes to fighting the interests of big-money corporations.</p> <p>In every vote this week pitting the interests of ordinary Californians against those of large companies, the corporate interests won big. Big bucks essentially convinced millions to vote against their own best interests.</p> <p>This was an unfettered triumph of the very opposite of populism, defined by the Business Dictionary as “the uncorrupt and unsophisticated against the corrupt dominant elites.”</p>

Consumer Watchdog Gets Blown Out on Health Care Propositions 45 and 46

November 5, 2014  ·  Mark Reback

<p>It's hard to imagine that anyone in California had a worse election night than the folks at Consumer Watchdog. The non-profit advocacy group lost not one but two ballot propositions — seeing both Proposition 45 and 46 go down to defeat by wide margins.<br /> <br /> Proposition 45 would have given the insurance commissioner the power to reject excessive rate increases on the Covered California health exchange. With most of the votes counted statewide, it was trailing by 20 points.<br /> <br />

On California Initiatives, Money Talked, The Public Interest Walked

November 5, 2014  ·  Mark Reback

<p>It was obvious from the start that the cascade of corporate cash into ballot initiative campaigns in California this year would be overwhelming. The reality did not disappoint.</p> <p>That reality had to please the biggest spenders, notably the insurance companies and agents who defeated propositions 45 and 46, two pro-consumer healthcare measures. The industries spent some $100 million to kill the propositions, and they have a right to consider it well-spent.</p>

Supporters Of Prop. 45 Predict Health Plan Rate Gouging After The Measure’s Defeat

November 5, 2014  ·  Mark Reback

<p>Proponents of Proposition 45, which would have given California's insurance commissioner the authority to regulate some health plan rates, say that those rates will continue to skyrocket, following the measure's defeat at the polls.</p> <p>Commissioner <a href="http://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/search/results?q=Dave%20Jones">Dave Jones</a> has tried to get this authority into law for almost 10 years, dating back to his days in the state Legislature. He blamed "$57 million worth of false television commercials, radio ads and slick mailers" for the loss Tuesday.</p>

An Election Night Murder-Mystery: What Killed Prop. 45?

November 5, 2014  ·  Mark Reback

<div class="block__content block--article__content" id="page_0_content_0_BlockContent"> <p>Back in June, more than 60% of Californians supported it.</p> <p>But on Tuesday night, more than 60% of Californians voted against it.</p> <p>What went wrong with Proposition 45, the once popular rate-review ballot initiative?</p> <p>Here's a list of potential factors -- and it's hard to pick just one.</p> <p><em><strong>It was outgunned</strong></em></p>

Voters Defeat Health Insurance Rate Initiative

November 5, 2014  ·  Mark Reback

<div class="article-body clearfix"> <p>LOS ANGELES (AP) — On the heels of an advertising blitz funded by health insurance companies, California voters on Tuesday tanked a proposal to give the state's insurance commissioner veto authority over health insurance premiums.</p> <p>About 60 percent of voters cast ballots against the plan to give the elected commissioner expanded authority over small group and individual health plans.</p>

Voters Weigh In On Regulating Health Insurance Costs

November 4, 2014  ·  Mark Reback

<div class="story_body"> <p>Health insurance premiums have gone up 172 percent since 2002, according to the California HealthCare Foundation. That's what prompted supporters of Proposition 45 to put their measure on today's ballot.</p> <p>The measure would give California's insurance commissioner the authority to reject health insurance premium increases found to be unreasonable. Proposition 45 would also require insurers to publicly disclose and justify any rate increases.</p> <p><strong>Waning Support</strong></p>

Teach Goliath A Lesson He’ll Never Forget

November 3, 2014  ·  Harvey Rosenfield

<div id="content-only-wrapper-block"> <p><span><span>No candidate on the ballot this year can do as much for you as two propositions backed by Consumer Watchdog, Consumer Federation and other champions of the underdog. </span></span></p>

Insurers Spending Cash, Spreading Fear in High-Stakes California Showdown

November 3, 2014  ·  Mark Reback

<div id="content-only-wrapper-block"> <p>Voters are usually inclined to vote their pocketbooks. But that's become more difficult with every election, as the pocketbooks that carry the most weight aren't those of the individual voter, but corporations and plutocrats.</p>

Hyundai, Kia Will Pay $100 Million for Overstating Fuel Economy Claims

November 3, 2014  ·  Mark Reback

South Korean automakers Hyundai and Kia have agreed to penalties totaling an estimated $350 million for inflating fuel economy claims on 1.2 million vehicles, the...

Far Out Friday: Steer Manure Delivered to Health Insurance CEOs

October 31, 2014  ·  Mark Reback

<p>It’s certainly one way to get a message across.</p> <p>Angered over what they view as excessive hikes in health insurance rates and the $57 million health insurers have spent to defeat California Proposition 45, members of Consumer Watchdog, the California Nurses Association and supports of Yes on Proposition 45 delivered a truckload of steer manure to health insurance industry executives at the Fairmont Hotel yesterday to greet former Kaiser CEO George Halvorson.</p>

Prop. 45 Targets Health Rates

October 31, 2014  ·  Mark Reback

<div id="slideContainerDiv"> <div id="slideImgDiv"><img alt=" Financial adviser Larry Leisenring experienced a sharp increase in the cost of his health insurance and was forced to switch to a new plan last year. Proposition 45 would give the insurance commissioner the authority to reject premium increases. " class="galleryLink" height="491" id="fullImage" src="http://images.onset.freedom.com/ocregister/gallery/nec1j8-b88245280z.120141031163358000g7b600u1.20.jpg" title="" width="600" /></div> </div> <div id="otherImages">