Insurance

Anthem Blue Cross Customers Pursue Case Over Changing Deductibles

March 6, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p>Some Anthem Blue Cross policyholders are pressing a court fight over the company's midyear changes in annual deductibles and other limits on out-of-pocket medical costs.<br /> <br /> Dave Jacobson, a film production supervisor in Santa Monica, is one of the plaintiffs who filed suit against Anthem over the changes in 2011. Jacobson, who bought his Anthem policy in 2000, said the company increased his annual deductible from $500 to $550. Meantime, he said, his premiums have doubled in the past five years.<br /> <br />

Lawmakers Eye Bill, Investigation Of DTSC Following Scathing Report

March 6, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p>Sources say state lawmakers are scheduled to meet with toxics department director Debbie Raphael and other agency officials March 4 to discuss a scathing report recently released by a non-profit group that claims the department has a history of mismanaging hazardous waste and lax enforcement of regulations that puts many low-income communities at risk.</p> <p><br /> But the department is disputing many accusations in the report, and says it has already launched its own investigation into department matters that will be headed by an external agency.</p>

Mercury, Calif. Department, Consumer Group Spar over Insurer’s Homeowners Rates

March 6, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p>The California insurance commissioner Tuesday said he would defend in court his decision to require Mercury Insurance Co., to reduce its homeowners-insurance rates in the state effective in June.</p> <p>The suit is the latest in a string of enforcement actions, voter initiatives, and court challenges pitting Mercury General and its chairman, George Joseph, against Consumer Watchdog and its head, Harvey Rosenfeld.</p> <p>The most recent statement by Dave Jones, California’s insurance commissioner, was prompted a suit filed March 1 by Mercury in state Superior Court in Sacramento.</p>

Officials Reviewing Conflict-Of-Interest Charges Against 2 Regulators

March 6, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p>SACRAMENTO -- Ethics officials are reviewing allegations that two of state's top environmental regulators violated conflict-of-interest rules by regulating companies in which they own stock.</p>

Political Blotter: Senators Say Sate DTSC Will Cooperate With Probe

March 5, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p>The state Department of Toxic Substances Control [http://www.dtsc.ca.gov/]'s director promised Monday that she'll work with state Senate investigators to explore claims that the agency hasn't properly enforced regulations, lawmakers said.</p>

State Orders Mercury To Cut Homeowners Insurance Rates 8.2%

March 5, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p><b>Mercury, which had sought a 7.3% increase, responds by filing a lawsuit seeking to block Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones' ruling.</b></p> <p>SACRAMENTO — State regulators have ordered Mercury General Corp. to cut its homeowners insurance rates by 8.2%, instead of the increase in premiums that the company had sought.</p> <p>As a result, the Los Angeles insurer is contesting the ruling in court.</p> <p>The rate cut was announced by California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones.</p>

Gasoline Price Going Up; ARCO Sale Could Lift It More

March 4, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p>Are you ready for $6-per-gallon gasoline? Then $7 a little later?</p> <p>Premium grades of gasoline already go for more than $5 per gallon in some parts of California; regular has been above $4.50 for a month at hundreds of service stations.</p> <p>There is no promise these near-record price levels will drop anytime soon, especially with summer approaching and refiners making more expensive California-specific blends for the next few months.</p>

Obama Asks Health Plans to Report Rising Rates

March 3, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p>WASHINGTON — The Obama administration says it will require <a class="meta-classifier" href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/health/diseasesconditionsandhealthtopics/health_insurance_and_managed_care/index.html?inline=nyt-classifier" title="Recent and archival health news about health insurance and managed care.">health insurance</a> companies to report all price increases, no matter how small, to the federal government so officials can monitor the impact of the new <a class="meta-classifier" href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/health/diseasesconditionsandhealthtopics/health_in

When In Doubt, Speak Out

February 28, 2013  ·  Jamie Court

<p><img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-2466" alt="" class="insert right" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/jamiepic-new1.jpg" style="width: 133px; height: 200px; float: right;" width="133" height="200" />A pro-consumer candidate to the Federal Trade Commission, who had the backing of the entire public interest community, really wanted the job. But this candidate didn’t want allies to go public for fear of alienating the White House. What happened?  Today <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2013/02/edith-ramirez-to-lead-ftc-88225.html?hp=f3">POTUS hosed us and gave the keys to the FTC to corporate attorney Edith Ramirez.</a><br /> <br />

California ‘Fails to Enforce Toxic Waste Laws’

February 25, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p>California lawmakers are calling for an investigation following two reports that say the state’s Department of Toxic Substances Control refuses to revoke the permits of companies that repeatedly violate environmental laws, and lets hazardous waste polluters operate on expired permits for years at a time.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 13px;">The reports found that the DTSC has consistently failed to protect communities and the environment from harms posed by toxic waste in the state’s soil, water and air.</span></p>

iSun Investigation: Report Faults State For Stink In Mecca

February 24, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p><strong>Regulators failed to prevent Mecca's misery, agency says</strong></p> <p>Early and more vigilant monitoring by the state Department of Toxic Substances Control could have helped stem noxious odors from Western Environmental Inc.’s recycling plant in Mecca, according to a new report slamming the agency for a pattern of lax enforcement efforts, bias toward industry and wrist-slap fines at similar sites across California.</p>

Evergreen Oil a Repeat Violator of Environmental Laws, Officials Say

February 22, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p>Evergreen Oil has been named by sources inside the Department of Toxic Substances Control as an example of a business that continues to operate despite continuous violations, according to media reports.</p>