Insurance

Stopping a Hidden Auto Insurance Rip-off

October 16, 2013  ·  Harvey Rosenfield

<p><img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-2199" alt="" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/images_harveydrawingname.gif" style="float: right; width: 133px; height: 200px; " width="133" height="200" /></p>

Ted Gaines Announces Run For Insurance Commissioner

October 4, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p>Possibly setting up a clash over health insurance regulation, Sen. Ted Gaines, R-Rocklin, announced Thursday that he will run for California insurance commissioner next year.<br /> <br /> Gaines won a new Senate term in 2012, which means he is not up for re-election until 2016 and can seek statewide office next year without risking the Senate seat.<br /> <br />

Mailer: ‘Thank You, Assembly Speaker.’ But For What?

October 3, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<div class="asset-content entry-content lingo_region"> <div class="asset-body">

Shutting Down Insurers’ Abuses

October 2, 2013  ·  Carmen Balber

<p><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/images/CWD-DC-Flag.jpg" style="width: 211px; height: 149px; margin-left: 4px; margin-right: 4px; float: right;" />I went to Washington DC right after the 2008 election to open up Consumer Watchdog's office on Capitol Hill and make sure health reform worked for consumers.

Google Chiefs Travel On YOUR Tax Dollars After NASA Sell Them Cut Price Fuel For Their Private Jets

September 25, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<div> <ul> <li> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><font style="font-size:1.4em;">Investigation finds firm owned by Google execs keeps jets at NASA facility</font></span></li> <li> <span style=" font-weight: bold;"><font style=" font-size:1.4em;">There it buys fuel at prices from a half to nearly a fifth of market rate</font></span></li> <li> <span style=" font-weight: bold;"><font style=" font-size:1.4em;">Planes used to jet off to exotic locations across the planet</font></span></li> <li>

Judge Green Lights Consumer Lawsuit Against Anthem Blue Cross

August 22, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<div class="story_body"> <p><span class="dateline">California</span> — A California superior court judge has given the green light to a consumer protection <a href="http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/resources/firstamendedcomplaintkassouf.pdf">lawsuit</a> against <a href="https://www.anthem.com/health-insurance/home/overview">Anthem Blue Cross</a>. The suit accuses Blue Cross of deceptive and unfair practices.</p> <p>The company tried to bar the claim but Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Jane Johnson said the case can proceed.</p>

Blue Cross Can’t Shake CLRA Claim In Health Plan Suit

August 9, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p>Law360, Los Angeles (August 09, 2013, 3:46 PM ET) -- A California state judge Friday refused to trim a putative class action accusing Anthem Blue Cross of using “bait and switch” strategies to increase annual deductibles and premiums, ruling that the plaintiffs adequately pled that health plans are services recognized by the Consumer Legal Remedies Act.<br /> <br />

Consumer Watchdog Argues That WARF Stem Cell Patent Is Invalid Under §101

August 1, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p>Last month, Consumer Watchdog filed its <a href="http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/resources/cwdvswarfbrief.pdf" target="_self" rel="noopener">opening brief</a> in an appeal of a Board decision affirming the patentability of U.S. Patent No.

Proposed Ballot Initiative Would Lift Calif.’s Medical Malpractice Cap

July 26, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<div class="block__content block--article__content" id="page_0_content_0_BlockContent"> <p>On Thursday, a consumer advocacy group filed a proposed ballot initiative that aims to eliminate a cap on damages under California's medical malpractice law, the <a href="http://www.sacbee.com/2013/07/25/5595771/capitol-alert-ballot-measure-filed.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Sacramento Bee</em></a> reports (White, <em>Sacramento Bee</em>, 7/26).</p>

Initiative To Raise California Malpractice Cap Underway

July 15, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p>The consumer advocacy group Consumer Watchdog and the legislator who initially backed California's 1975 Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act (MICRA), which <a href="http://www.clinicaladvisor.com/search/malpractice+cap/daterange-all/b/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">caps non-economic damages</a> awarded in malpractice cases at $250,000, are working together on a ballot initiative to raise the cap to $1.1 million to adjust for inflation.</p>

HealthNet’s “Exchange” Rate Unreasonable

July 1, 2013  ·  Carmen Balber

<div> <p align="center"><strong><img alt="" src="http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/images/healthcaredeals.jpg" style="width: 1px; height: 1px;" />Consumer Watchdog's Public Comment On Health Net's CA "Exchange" Rates</strong></p> <p align="center"> </p>

Activists Oppose Relaxation Of DTSC Hazardous-Waste Enforcement Bill

June 27, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p>Environmentalists are objecting to lawmaker plans to significantly weaken a bill requiring the toxics department to beef up enforcement efforts at hazardous-waste facilities in poor, minority communities, with some sources alleging that department officials are lobbying behind the scenes to scale back the bill.<br /> <br /> But the department claims it has not taken a position on the bill and has only informed lawmakers that the measure would require new money and staff at the agency.<br /> <br />