Privacy

UnitedHealth misses some expectations

January 19, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Reuters</p> <p>The watchdog group Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights said UnitedHealth's double-digit profit growth translates to a bad deal for patients. "Every dollar spent on overhead and handed out in profit means patients and employers pay more for less health care," the group's health policy director, Jerry Flanagan, said.</p>

Call for head of stem cell institute to resign;

January 19, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Biotech watchdog says Prop. 71 agency needs a fresh start</h3><p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>John Simpson, stem cell project director at another advocacy group, the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, said it would be a mistake to focus too much attention on Klein's leadership. "I certainly understand the public outrage that led to the call for Bob Klein to step down, but the stem cell institute's problems go beyond personalities," Simpson said. "We'll just have a revolving door of Bob Kleins until the structure is fixed."</p>

Legal Shield for Vaccine Makers Is Inserted Into Military Bill

December 20, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The New York Times</p> <p>An outside advocacy group, the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, said the provision posed a conflict of interest for Mr. Frist and 41 other senators who, it said, own as much as $16 million in pharmaceutical stock. A spokeswoman for the group, Carmen Balber, called the provision ''a giveaway deal that half the Senate cannot ethically participate in.''</p>

PROTECTING YOUR PRIVACY:

December 20, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Legislation to stop information hounds in their tracks</h3><p class="source">Black Enterprise - January 2006 Issue</p> <p>"It's important for consumers to know that information brokers have the right to trade your information with affiliates, and you can't opt out," says Jerry Flanagan, a consumer advocate for the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights. "For example, if Citigroup, which has 1,600 affiliates, including telemarketing companies and brokerages, chooses to sell your information to them, there's nothing you can do about it."</p>

Congress Poised to Shield Makers of Bird Flu Vaccine

December 20, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Newhouse News Service</p> <p>Some critics take particular aim at Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., for helping to attach the bird flu measure to a must-pass military spending bill late Sunday night. The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights maintains Frist is among members of Congress who should not vote on the provision because of conflicts of interest. Frist is one of 42 senators who together owned at least $8.1 million in pharmaceutical company stock in 2004, according to the group's analysis of public financial disclosure documents filed with the Senate.</p>

Appointments for Sale

December 14, 2005  ·  Carmen Balber

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">Recently Governor Schwarzenegger was forced to ask for the resignation of Brent Wilkes, a campaign contributor he appointed to two state boards, after media reports of Wilkes' involvement in the...</font>

MEDICARE DRUG CHANGE STIRS DEBATE;

December 6, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Prescription For A Headache?</h3><p class="source">The Press Enterprise (Riverside, CA)</p> <p>In October, federal officials acknowledged that the Medicare & You 2006 handbook had errors in the section on Part D choices available to low-incomeseniors. Seniors can find the correct information at www.medicare.gov, or they can call a 24-hour number (800-633-4227). The Web site, he said, offers a tool to help sort through choices.</p>

Release The Cells!

December 1, 2005  ·  Jamie Court

<b> The following commentary by FTCR President Jamie Court was broadcast on Wednesday, November 30, 2005 on the Marketplace Radio program on NPR. <a href="http://marketplace.publicradio.org/shows/2005/11/30/AM200511302.html">Click...</a> </b>

Insurers donate big to Congress

November 21, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Orlando Sentinel (Florida)</p> <p>The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights has been a vocal critic of a provision in the Medicare drug act that prevents Medicare from negotiating with pharmaceutical makers for lower prices. Other government agencies -- such as the Department of Veterans Affairs -- already negotiate for their recipients. The foundation thinks the same should be done for Medicare.</p>

Stem cell royalty promise just election ruse?

November 8, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Sacramento Bee</p> <p>As was entirely predictable, biotech leaders and many university leaders - key supporters of Proposition 71 - are now opposing any return of royalties to California. They want to retain such payments at their own institutions, even though taxpayers are the ones who will provide $3 billion in venture capital ($6 billion if you include the interest costs on the bonds).</p>

Hasta la vista special interests? Not quite.

November 8, 2005  ·  Jamie Court

<p class="source">Marketplace Radio Program (NPR)</p> <p>The $250 million being spent on ballot measures in California's special election makes it one of the most expensive elections of its kind in US history. Consumer advocate Jamie Court reflects on what's at stake. </p>

Accusations that Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has been catering to special interest groups

November 4, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">CBS-TV Evening News (National)</p> <p>Doug Heller and other government watchdogs say when it comes to raising special interest cash, the governor has far outpaced the man he ousted, Gray Davis.</p>