Privacy

Timing may have worked against Frist in stock sale

September 22, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Tennessean (Nashville, Tennessee)</p> <p>A California-based watchdog group, the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, filed a third ethics complaint about HCA last March, as the Senate was preparing to take up medical malpractice legislation. The group, based in Santa Monica, Calif., said yesterday that it sent a letter to the Securities and Exchange Commission asking for an investigation of Frist's sale.</p>

Frist sold hospital stock during HCA insider sell-off

September 22, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">San Jose Mercury News (California)</p> <p>"If there was any sort of insider information that caused Frist to use ethical considerations as a cover, we think the SEC needs to investigate," said Carmen Balber, the group's consumer advocate.</p>

Campaign cash pays for travel;

September 19, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Lawmakers' practices questioned </h3><p class="source">Sacramento Bee </p> <p>"Politicans depend on the inability of the public -- including the press, to really get to the bottom of their politicking,'' said Doug Heller of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, a nonprofit consumer advocacy group. ''They depend on the lack of transparency to hide their self-indulgence."</p>

Critics attack massive merger-related payouts of health systems’ executives

September 16, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Sacramento Bee (California)</p> <p>"We want certain guarantees that they (UnitedHealth Group & PacifiCare) won't pull out of the small group market and premiums won't pay for the merger," said David Fink of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights in Santa Monica.</p>

The Fantastic Meal

September 16, 2005  ·  Jamie Court

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">Yesterday, Arnold honored McDonald's for its role in fighting Childhood obesity. The beefy guru of physical fitness made the guru of special sauce a "member of the Summit on Health,...</font>

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Brought to You By:

September 14, 2005  ·  Carmen Balber

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2"><strong>Governor Schwarzenegger's Top Ten Donors:</strong><br/> <br/> 1. A.G. Spanos Family - $2,114,700<br/> 2. William A. Robinson - $1,650,000<br/> 3. Henry Nicholas/ NS Holdings - $1,500,000...</font>

The state of HMOs;

September 14, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>PATIENTS, AT LEAST, PERCEIVE THE CARE AS IMPROVING OVER LAST YEAR</h3><p class="source">San Jose Mercury News</p> <p>However, some questioned how useful or helpful the report card really is. Jerry Flanagan of the Foundation for Taxpayers and Consumer Rights said the report card provides a meaningless comparison of HMOs and does a better job at promoting the health care companies than exposing actual problems.</p>

A Rolling Stone Gathers No Green

September 8, 2005  ·  Jamie Court

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">Campaign finance disclosures show that the only contribution Arnold took in at the Rolling Stones concert in Boston on August 21st., besides a $30,000 in-kind donation from tour sponsor...</font>

Governor Schwarzenegger starts fund-raising campaign

August 31, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Marketplace Radio Program (NPR)</p> <p>Mr. DOUG HELLER (Executive Director, Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights): The governor is supposed to be making independent decisions on all this legislation that is streaming towards his desk in these last weeks of the legislative session. Yet here he is in the evenings, going out and fund-raising all over the country from the very interests that have bills before him.</p>

PacifiCare/United Health Care Merger

August 25, 2005  ·  Jerry Flanagan

<p class="source">KPCC Public Radio 89.3FM (Pasadena, CA)</p> <p>Jerry Flanagan of FTCR said patients should care about the merger because "every dollar that is given out to executives or transferred to out-of-state companies in mergers means patients and business owners have to pay more for their health care."</p>

Panel wants state to waive stem cell product royalties;

August 24, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Experts say profit interest may discourage private investment </h3><p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>Jerry Flanagan of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights said that under the council's policy, returns from the cash-strapped state's money would eventually end up in private hands.</p>

Stop the Backroom Deal Preservation Act

August 22, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Pasadena Weekly</p> <p>It appears we stand alone - against the likes of the totally co-opted local daily newspaper and the City Council itself - in ensuring that our elected officials behave in an ethical manner.</p>