Insurance

Blue Shield Gives 80,000 Policyholders A 90-Day Reprieve On Cancellations

November 5, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<div class="entry"> <p>Blue Shield will let some California policyholders extend their coverage for an additional 90 days — until March 31 — under a s<a href="http://www.insurance.ca.gov/0400-news/0100-press-releases/release095-13.cfm">ettlement with the California Department of Insurance </a>announced Tuesday.</p> <p>The settlement is specific to Blue Shield of California Life & Health Insurance Co. — one of two Blue Shield companies operating in the state. It does not necessarily presage a widespread delay in health policy cancellations.</p>

California’s Toxic Waste Control Department Trying to Clean Up Its Act

November 4, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p><a href="http://www.capradio.org/articles/2013/11/04/californias-toxic-waste-control-department-trying-to-clean-up-its-act/">Click here to listen to the audio of this radio broadcast segment</a>.</p> <p><b>Californians produce two million tons of hazardous waste every year. And the department that manages that waste has faced criticism for the way it operates. Now the department is trying to clean up its act.</b></p>

Some Health Insurance Gets Pricier As Obamacare Rolls Out

October 27, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p><b>Many middle-class Californians with individual health plans are surprised they need policies that cover more — and cost more.</b></p> <p>Thousands of Californians are discovering what Obamacare will cost them — and many don't like what they see.</p> <p>These middle-class consumers are staring at hefty increases on their insurance bills as the overhaul remakes the healthcare market. Their rates are rising in large part to help offset the higher costs of covering sicker, poorer people who have been shut out of the system for years.</p>

Thousands of Consumers Get Insurance Cancellation Notices

October 21, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p>Health plans are sending hundreds of thousands of cancellation letters to people who buy their own coverage, frustrating some consumers who want to keep what they have and forcing others to buy more costly policies.<br /> <br /> The main reason insurers offer is that the policies fall short of what the Affordable Care Act requires starting Jan. 1. Most are ending policies sold after the law passed in March 2010. At least a few are cancelling plans sold to people with pre-existing medical conditions.<br /> <br />

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

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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.