Insurance

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

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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>

Dark Money Looms Large In 2014 Midterms

November 7, 2014  ·  Mark Reback

<p>The most disturbing trend in the financing of American political campaigns is not the magnitude of the money being spent. It’s that more and more of that money is not going through the campaigns themselves — where donations must be disclosed and limited — but from nonprofit groups that are being set up for the express purpose of frustrating any attempt to identify their funders.</p>

Prop. 45’s Resounding Defeat Is A Boon For Health Insurers

November 6, 2014  ·  Mark Reback

<p>Already a financial bonanza for health insurers, Obamacare paid off for the industry again at the ballot box as Californians soundly rejected a bid to rein in health insurance rates.</p> <p>Even so, the companies still face heat over their ever-increasing health insurance premiums, and pressure will build on California's Obamacare exchange to hold the line on rates.</p>

Terrible Tuesday

November 5, 2014  ·  Jamie Court

<p>$100 million spent by insurance companies against our two pro-consumer initiatives, coupled with an historic low voter turnout, was a recipe for consumers to lose Tuesday night.</p>