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Consumer Watchdog

Privacy

Consumer Watchdog investigations and advocacy on data privacy, surveillance, AI, and your right to control your personal information.
Insurer’s success evolves from “WellPoint Way”;

Insurer’s success evolves from “WellPoint Way”;

<h3>The insurer that wants to buy CareFirst is praised for its acumen by business analysts but not by doctors.</h3><p class="source">The Baltimore Sun</p> <p>"The WellPoint Way" began the moment Leonard D. Schaeffer saw the shrimp and the ice sculpture. It was 1986, his first day as chief executive of Blue Cross of California, a company that was on its way to losing $157 million that year.</p>
Calif. PUC Republican asks court to stay dismissal

Calif. PUC Republican asks court to stay dismissal

<p class="source">Megawatt Daily</p> <p>Henry Duque, the sole Republican on the five-member California Public Utilities Commission, said he would appeal a San Francisco Superior Court ruling that found him in violation of the state's conflict-of-interest laws and ordered him to leave the PUC.</p>
Judge Orders Removal of PUC Member

Judge Orders Removal of PUC Member

<h3>Court: Henry Duque bought stock in phone firm with business before panel. He denies wrongdoing.</h3><p class="source">The Los Angeles Times</p> <p>A judge ruled Thursday that Henry M. Duque, the lone Republican on the California Public Utilities Commission, should be removed from office because he violated conflict-of-interest laws by buying stock in a telecommunications company regulated by the com</p>
When HMO’s Attack

When HMO’s Attack

<h3>HMOs aim to stop even modest reform in its tracks</h3><p class="source">In These Times (Institute for Public Affairs)</p> <p>California's HMO reform laws, in force since mid-2000, make up the toughest patients' bill of rights in the nation. They allow bigger fines and send more types of challenged HMO decisions to independent review boards than in any of the other 40 states wi</p>
Activist sues city officials over initiative

Activist sues city officials over initiative

<p class="source">Pasadena Star News</p> <p>Amy sued Mayor Bill Bogaard, City Clerk Jane Rodriguez and other city officials on Friday, alleging they have "nullif(ied) the will of the people" by failing to file a voter-approved, anti-corruption initiative with the Secretary of State's office.</p>
Council dilutes watchdog group’s reforms

Council dilutes watchdog group’s reforms

<h3>Oaks Project of Santa Monica sought tougher conflict-of-interest law</h3><p class="source">Irvine World News</p> <p>"Where's the beef," Oaks volunteer Paul Bunch said. "This report does not represent the conflict of interest reform that voters want. All there is is a suggestion. There's no teeth. A recommendation is not reform."</p>
Closer Look at Complaints on HMOs Urged

Closer Look at Complaints on HMOs Urged

<h3>Regulation: State wants to review arbitration cases involving patients, while industry representatives say it would be an undue invasion of privacy.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>California HMO regulators are seeking to expand their review of arbitration cases involving patients, citing concerns about the fairness of the process.</p>
Initiative Goes to Court

Initiative Goes to Court

<p class="source">Claremont Courier</p> <p>A Superior Court judge heard arguments last week on the merits of a lawsuit brought by the city of Santa Monica against its city clerk. At issue is the same conflict-of-interest initiative that was passed by Claremont voters last year under the ballot tit</p>
Backers continue fight for conflict-of-interest law

Backers continue fight for conflict-of-interest law

<p class="source">Inland Valley Times</p> <p>Backers of a law that puts broad conflict-of-interest limits on elected officials in five California cities were in court Friday arguing that a lawsuit brought by the city of Santa Monica was frivolous. The law was approved by voters in Claremont, as wel</p>