187 on ?index=25 /find.dyn/news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20091214/bs_nm/us_xto_exxon?index=25 25 2010-03-10T12:35:16.051-08:00 story 33170 Put corporate political spending to a vote http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/politicians/articles/?storyId=33170 2010-03-10T12:34:51.000-08:00 Posted by Carmen Balber 4529835 <p> When the US Supreme Court decided to allow corporations to spend money directly on campaign advertising, they opened the floodgates to excessive spending by companies to change the outcome of elections. The long-term solution is a... </p> 9877 Blog Post On the blog 9879 legislation 9883 Politicians Campaign Keeping Politicians Honest 9907 DirtyMoneyWatch 10088 Reforming Politics 10261 Campaign Finance 10265 Washington DC published 1222 0 <p> When the US Supreme Court decided to allow corporations to spend money directly on campaign advertising, they opened the floodgates to excessive spending by companies to change the outcome of elections. The long-term solution is a... </p> false false 2010-03-10T12:42:34.612-08:00 story 33169 Oil Co's Look At Refinery Cuts http://www.oilwatchdog.org/?storyId=33169 2010-03-10T12:02:00.000-08:00 Ron D. White, LA Times 4563274

The response to slumping gasoline use would likely mean higher prices for drivers. Judy Dugan, research director for the Santa Monica-based advocacy group Consumer Watchdog, said that "closing or selling refineries to others who would limit production would be a serious case of corporate irresponsibility."

]]> 8065 Media Coverage published 881 0

The response to slumping gasoline use would likely mean higher prices for drivers. Judy Dugan, research director for the Santa Monica-based advocacy group Consumer Watchdog, said that "closing or selling refineries to others who would limit production would be a serious case of corporate irresponsibility."

]]> false false 2010-03-10T12:41:13.292-08:00 story 33168 Oil Companies Look At Permanent Refinery Cutbacks http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/energy/articles/?storyId=33168 2010-03-10T11:53:00.000-08:00 By Ronald D. White, <font size="3">THE LOS ANGELES TIMES</font> 4563274 The response to slumping gasoline use would likely mean higher prices for drivers. Consumer advocates want regulators to examine the firms' plans.

Consumer advocates want regulators to probe refinery closures or consolidations that slash supply. Judy Dugan, research director for the Santa Monica-based advocacy group Consumer Watchdog, said that "closing or selling refineries to others who would limit production would be a serious case of corporate irresponsibility."

]]> 9872 News Clipping In the media 9878 Energy Campaign Cleaner, Cheaper, Energy 10082 Oil Watchdog 10267 Gas Prices published 1222 0 The response to slumping gasoline use would likely mean higher prices for drivers. Consumer advocates want regulators to examine the firms' plans.

Consumer advocates want regulators to probe refinery closures or consolidations that slash supply. Judy Dugan, research director for the Santa Monica-based advocacy group Consumer Watchdog, said that "closing or selling refineries to others who would limit production would be a serious case of corporate irresponsibility."

]]> false false 2010-03-10T10:34:58.240-08:00 story 33167 Profiting From Collusion: Why Californians Can't Afford Health Insurance http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/patients/articles/?storyId=33167 2010-03-10T10:33:00.000-08:00 By Don Monkerud, <font size="3">COUNTERPUNCH.ORG</font> 4563274 California's Consumer Watchdog group is suing Anthem Blue Cross after they raised health care insurance premiums 39 percent, but the company isn't budging. Meanwhile Goldman Sachs recommended buying health insurance company stock because competition is decreasing and prices are going up. The Center for Retirement Research at Boston College estimates that &quot;the typical married couple at age 65 should expect to spend&quot; a whopping $197,000 on uninsured medical expenses. Obama urges action on a watered-down health care bill, but the Republicans and conservative Democrats just say no and collect money from the private health care lobby. Will we continue to tolerate skyrocketing health care costs? 9872 News Clipping In the media 9879 legislation 9880 lobbying 9882 Protecting Patients Campaign Protecting Patients 9883 Politicians Campaign Keeping Politicians Honest 9884 Courts Campaign Going to Court 9905 Litigation 10077 Action on Medical Care 10079 HMO/PPO Abuse 10219 Health Insurer Accountability 10222 Universal Health Care 10264 Sacramento 10265 Washington DC 10342 Unfair Billing published 1222 0 California's Consumer Watchdog group is suing Anthem Blue Cross after they raised health care insurance premiums 39 percent, but the company isn't budging. Meanwhile Goldman Sachs recommended buying health insurance company stock because competition is decreasing and prices are going up. The Center for Retirement Research at Boston College estimates that &quot;the typical married couple at age 65 should expect to spend&quot; a whopping $197,000 on uninsured medical expenses. Obama urges action on a watered-down health care bill, but the Republicans and conservative Democrats just say no and collect money from the private health care lobby. Will we continue to tolerate skyrocketing health care costs? false false 2010-03-10T09:14:15.838-08:00 story 33166 Insurance Regulation Expert Calls For Freeze Of Health Rates Until 'Prior Approval' Regulation Is Adopted http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/patients/articles/?storyId=33166 2010-03-10T09:13:54.000-08:00 CONTACT: Jerry Flanagan, (310) 889-4912; or Carmen Balber, (202) 629-3043 4563274 <p> Washington, DC -- Harvey Rosenfield, author of California&rsquo;s landmark insurance regulation Proposition 103&mdash;recognized as the most successful insurance regulation in the country&mdash;was joined today by people struggling to pay for health insurance in calling on President Obama and Congress to impose a national freeze on health insurance rates as part of the final round of votes on reform. Consumers must have a breather from yearly premium hikes like the 39% increase planned by Anthem Blue Cross, said Consumer Watchdog, which Rosenfield founded. </p> 9871 Press Release Breaking news 9879 legislation 9881 Insurance Campaign Affordable Car & Home Insurance 9882 Protecting Patients Campaign Protecting Patients 9883 Politicians Campaign Keeping Politicians Honest 9911 Prop 103 10077 Action on Medical Care 10079 HMO/PPO Abuse 10219 Health Insurer Accountability 10222 Universal Health Care 10259 Insurance Reform 10264 Sacramento 10265 Washington DC 10321 deregulation 10342 Unfair Billing published 1222 0 <p> Washington, DC -- Harvey Rosenfield, author of California&rsquo;s landmark insurance regulation Proposition 103&mdash;recognized as the most successful insurance regulation in the country&mdash;was joined today by people struggling to pay for health insurance in calling on President Obama and Congress to impose a national freeze on health insurance rates as part of the final round of votes on reform. Consumers must have a breather from yearly premium hikes like the 39% increase planned by Anthem Blue Cross, said Consumer Watchdog, which Rosenfield founded. </p> false false 2010-03-09T16:05:20.753-08:00 story 33161 Australian news video calls Google "a company on steroids" http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/corporateering/articles/?storyId=33161 2010-03-09T15:53:00.000-08:00 Posted by John M. Simpson 5264575 <p> A video produced by <a href="http://hungrybeast.abc.net.au/well-here-we-are-then" target="_blank">Hungry Beast</a>, a weekly news show on Australian television puts Internet giant ... </p> 9877 Blog Post On the blog 9916 Corporateering 9918 Privacy 10097 Corporateering Campaign Fighting Corporateering 11589 Google published 1222 0 <p> A video produced by <a href="http://hungrybeast.abc.net.au/well-here-we-are-then" target="_blank">Hungry Beast</a>, a weekly news show on Australian television puts Internet giant ... </p> false false 2010-03-09T14:38:42.472-08:00 story 33160 Slide show features companies Google calls competition http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/corporateering/articles/?storyId=33160 2010-03-09T13:56:00.000-08:00 Posted by John M. Simpson 5264575 I recently <a href="http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/corporateering/articles/?storyId=33077" target="_blank">delved into Google's 10-K filing</a> covering 2009 with the <a href="http://sec.gov/" target="_blank">Securities and Exchange...</a> 9877 Blog Post On the blog 9916 Corporateering 9918 Privacy 10097 Corporateering Campaign Fighting Corporateering 11589 Google published 1222 0 I recently <a href="http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/corporateering/articles/?storyId=33077" target="_blank">delved into Google's 10-K filing</a> covering 2009 with the <a href="http://sec.gov/" target="_blank">Securities and Exchange...</a> false false 2010-03-09T12:43:34.656-08:00 story 33157 Google Identifies Competitors http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/corporateering/articles/?storyId=33157 2010-03-09T12:42:56.000-08:00 By Mike Swift, <font size="3">THE SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS</font> 4563274 9872 News Clipping In the media 9916 Corporateering 9918 Privacy 10097 Corporateering Campaign Fighting Corporateering 11589 Google published 1222 0 false false 2010-03-09T13:02:38.352-08:00 story 33156 Sarah Palin wasn't the only Alaskan border-hopping for health care http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/patients/articles/?storyId=33156 2010-03-09T11:31:00.000-08:00 Posted by Judy Dugan 5448270 <p> Sarah Palin, the Cruella DeVille of anti-government-health care, caught everyone's attention with the story of her family hopping the border from Skagway, Alaska, into the Yukon Territory for Canadian government health care when Palin was a child. <a href="http://www.torontosun.com/news/canada/2010/03/08/13158001.html">Canadian newspapers</a> noted cattily that Palin previously described going to Juneau, Alaska, for the same treatment for her brother's burned foot. Whatever. I wanted to know whether other Alaskans went to Canada for medical care--and still do. </p> 9877 Blog Post On the blog 9882 Protecting Patients Campaign Protecting Patients 9883 Politicians Campaign Keeping Politicians Honest 9914 Affordable Medicine 10079 HMO/PPO Abuse 10088 Reforming Politics 10219 Health Insurer Accountability 10222 Universal Health Care 10262 Health Insurance Mandate 10265 Washington DC published 1222 0 <p> Sarah Palin, the Cruella DeVille of anti-government-health care, caught everyone's attention with the story of her family hopping the border from Skagway, Alaska, into the Yukon Territory for Canadian government health care when Palin was a child. <a href="http://www.torontosun.com/news/canada/2010/03/08/13158001.html">Canadian newspapers</a> noted cattily that Palin previously described going to Juneau, Alaska, for the same treatment for her brother's burned foot. Whatever. I wanted to know whether other Alaskans went to Canada for medical care--and still do. </p> false false 2010-03-09T12:59:01.531-08:00 story 33155 The no. 1 cure for Anthem Blue Cross greed: Here's the plan, from the expert http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/patients/articles/?storyId=33155 2010-03-09T10:32:00.000-08:00 Posted by Judy Dugan 5448270 Harvey Rosenfield, the founder of Consumer Watchdog and the author of California's landmark insurance regulation, is the original expert on making insurance companies friendlier to consumers. So when he outlines a plan to make health insurance more affordable--and combat price spikes like the recent 39% annual increase by Anthem Blue Cross--he's got 20 years in the trenches making insurance companies toe the line, to back him up. 9877 Blog Post On the blog 9882 Protecting Patients Campaign Protecting Patients 9883 Politicians Campaign Keeping Politicians Honest 9914 Affordable Medicine 9916 Corporateering 10077 Action on Medical Care 10079 HMO/PPO Abuse 10219 Health Insurer Accountability 10264 Sacramento 10265 Washington DC 10342 Unfair Billing published 1222 0 Harvey Rosenfield, the founder of Consumer Watchdog and the author of California's landmark insurance regulation, is the original expert on making insurance companies friendlier to consumers. So when he outlines a plan to make health insurance more affordable--and combat price spikes like the recent 39% annual increase by Anthem Blue Cross--he's got 20 years in the trenches making insurance companies toe the line, to back him up. false false 2010-03-08T18:36:44.173-08:00 story 33150 Auto Insurer Revs Measure's Motor http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/insurance/articles/?storyId=33150 2010-03-08T18:33:00.000-08:00 By Howard Fine, <font size="3">THE LOS ANGELES BUSINESS JOURNAL</font> 4563274 Opponents, including Doug Heller, who works with Proposition 103 author Harvey Rosenfield at Santa Monica-based Consumer Watchdog, said the real aim of Mercury is to lift the ban on surcharges for drivers who need to reinstate coverage after letting their auto insurance policies lapse. &ldquo;This would allow Mercury to jack up prices for customers they don&rsquo;t really want,&rdquo; said Heller, spokesman for Campaign for Consumer Rights, the main opposition group to Proposition 17. 9872 News Clipping In the media 9880 lobbying 9881 Insurance Campaign Affordable Car & Home Insurance 9909 Auto Insurance 9911 Prop 103 10088 Reforming Politics 10259 Insurance Reform 10260 Ballot Initiatives 10261 Campaign Finance published 1222 0 Opponents, including Doug Heller, who works with Proposition 103 author Harvey Rosenfield at Santa Monica-based Consumer Watchdog, said the real aim of Mercury is to lift the ban on surcharges for drivers who need to reinstate coverage after letting their auto insurance policies lapse. &ldquo;This would allow Mercury to jack up prices for customers they don&rsquo;t really want,&rdquo; said Heller, spokesman for Campaign for Consumer Rights, the main opposition group to Proposition 17. false false 2010-03-08T14:23:43.845-08:00 story 33144 Revisions to Health Care Reform Must Include Rate Freeze, Rate Regulation and States' Rights Provisions, Says Consumer Watchdog http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/patients/articles/?storyId=33144 2010-03-08T14:23:26.000-08:00 CONTACT: Jerry Flanagan, (310) 889-4912; or Judy Dugan, (310) 392-0522, ext. 305 4563274 <strong>Insurers Would Get Tens of Millions of New Customers Under Reform, and Owe Americans a Break from Audacious Rate Spikes By Anthem Blue Cross and Others</strong><br /> <br /> Washington, DC -- Consumer Watchdog called on President Obama to impose a national freeze on health insurance rates before health reform takes effect to protect consumers from premium hikes like the 39% increase recently announced by Anthem Blue Cross in California. The rate freeze is one of five tools Consumer Watchdog urged the president to include as part of his proposed fixes to the Senate health care bill. 9871 Press Release Breaking news 9879 legislation 9881 Insurance Campaign Affordable Car & Home Insurance 9882 Protecting Patients Campaign Protecting Patients 9883 Politicians Campaign Keeping Politicians Honest 9909 Auto Insurance 9911 Prop 103 10077 Action on Medical Care 10079 HMO/PPO Abuse 10219 Health Insurer Accountability 10222 Universal Health Care 10261 Campaign Finance 10265 Washington DC published 1222 0 <strong>Insurers Would Get Tens of Millions of New Customers Under Reform, and Owe Americans a Break from Audacious Rate Spikes By Anthem Blue Cross and Others</strong><br /> <br /> Washington, DC -- Consumer Watchdog called on President Obama to impose a national freeze on health insurance rates before health reform takes effect to protect consumers from premium hikes like the 39% increase recently announced by Anthem Blue Cross in California. The rate freeze is one of five tools Consumer Watchdog urged the president to include as part of his proposed fixes to the Senate health care bill. false false 2010-03-09T13:06:39.291-08:00 story 33158 Lawsuits Over California Ballot Question to Be Heard Together http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/insurance/articles/?storyId=33158 2010-03-08T13:03:00.000-08:00 By Sean P. Carr, <font size="3">BESTWIRE</font> 4563274 A judge will hear testimony on three related cases surrounding ballot language for Proposition 17, which backers say will allow discounts for more drivers and opponents claim will create back-door rate increases. The latest is Attorney General Jerry Brown's attempt to change the official title and summary to say the measure &quot;will allow insurance companies to increase cost of insurance to drivers who do not have a history of continuous insurance coverage,&quot; according to the lawsuit. Due to what Brown's office argued is its error, the language submitted by the attorney general to the California Secretary of State reads, &quot;may allow insurance companies to increase cost of insurance to drivers who do not qualify for discount.&quot; 9872 News Clipping In the media 9879 legislation 9880 lobbying 9881 Insurance Campaign Affordable Car & Home Insurance 9883 Politicians Campaign Keeping Politicians Honest 9884 Courts Campaign Going to Court 9905 Litigation 9907 DirtyMoneyWatch 9909 Auto Insurance 9911 Prop 103 10085 Enforcing Prop. 103 10088 Reforming Politics 10228 vs. Insurers 10259 Insurance Reform 10260 Ballot Initiatives 10261 Campaign Finance 10264 Sacramento 10321 deregulation published 1222 0 A judge will hear testimony on three related cases surrounding ballot language for Proposition 17, which backers say will allow discounts for more drivers and opponents claim will create back-door rate increases. The latest is Attorney General Jerry Brown's attempt to change the official title and summary to say the measure &quot;will allow insurance companies to increase cost of insurance to drivers who do not have a history of continuous insurance coverage,&quot; according to the lawsuit. Due to what Brown's office argued is its error, the language submitted by the attorney general to the California Secretary of State reads, &quot;may allow insurance companies to increase cost of insurance to drivers who do not qualify for discount.&quot; false false 2010-03-08T14:36:22.430-08:00 story 33145 Anthem's Rate Hikes To Add To Burdens Of Jobless http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/patients/articles/?storyId=33145 2010-03-06T14:28:00.000-08:00 By Tom Kisken, <font size="3">THE VENTURA COUNTY STAR</font> 4563274 There have been demands for explanations from state and federal lawmakers as well as the White House. Documents of financial records have been subpoenaed. Last week, Consumer Watchdog filed a lawsuit in Ventura County Superior Court alleging the insurer doesn&rsquo;t offer adequate alternatives when it closes a policy. 9872 News Clipping In the media 9882 Protecting Patients Campaign Protecting Patients 9883 Politicians Campaign Keeping Politicians Honest 9884 Courts Campaign Going to Court 9905 Litigation 10077 Action on Medical Care 10079 HMO/PPO Abuse 10219 Health Insurer Accountability 10228 vs. Insurers 10265 Washington DC 10342 Unfair Billing published 1222 0 There have been demands for explanations from state and federal lawmakers as well as the White House. Documents of financial records have been subpoenaed. Last week, Consumer Watchdog filed a lawsuit in Ventura County Superior Court alleging the insurer doesn&rsquo;t offer adequate alternatives when it closes a policy. false false 2010-03-05T13:24:23.771-08:00 story 33108 Run From Guys With Clipboards http://www.oilwatchdog.org/?storyId=33108 2010-03-05T13:24:26.000-08:00 Posted by Judy Dugan 5448270

Interesting that it took a New York newspaper to tell Californians that a couple of giant Texas oil refining companies are bankrolling a ballot initiative to kill the state's popular climate change/green energy law. The whole saga is much like Oklahoma oilman T. Boone Pickens' failed effort in 2008 to make California taxpayers subsidize his natural gas business. Except that Pickens was honest about paying for his own ballot initiative.

]]> 8059 The Industry 8061 Influence 8069 Privatization 8073 Environment 8078 Global Warming 8151 Media Critique 8273 cash register politics 8855 Schwarzenegger 10345 Refining Operations published 881 0

Interesting that it took a New York newspaper to tell Californians that a couple of giant Texas oil refining companies are bankrolling a ballot initiative to kill the state's popular climate change/green energy law. The whole saga is much like Oklahoma oilman T. Boone Pickens' failed effort in 2008 to make California taxpayers subsidize his natural gas business. Except that Pickens was honest about paying for his own ballot initiative.

]]> false false 2010-03-09T06:13:02.469-08:00 story 33107 Front page as advertising, shame on LA Times for selling its masthead http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/corporateering/articles/?storyId=33107 2010-03-05T08:16:00.000-08:00 Posted by Jamie Court 4530210 <p> I have heard of full page advertising, but until I got my Los Angeles Times from the driveway this morning I never heard of Front Page As Advertising. </p> 9877 Blog Post On the blog 9916 Corporateering 10097 Corporateering Campaign Fighting Corporateering 13338 Media-Critique published 1222 0 <p> I have heard of full page advertising, but until I got my Los Angeles Times from the driveway this morning I never heard of Front Page As Advertising. </p> false false 2010-03-05T09:46:43.509-08:00 story 33104 Thanks Blue Cross, you gave the public its reason to reform http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/patients/articles/?storyId=33104 2010-03-05T03:50:00.000-08:00 Posted by Jamie Court 4530210 <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"> The President called for an up or down vote on health care reform, but I can say from my own experience this week working with Blue Cross patients, who are part of Consumer Watchdog&rsquo;s lawsuit against he company, that the public has already cast its vote.&nbsp; </p> 9877 Blog Post On the blog 9882 Protecting Patients Campaign Protecting Patients 9883 Politicians Campaign Keeping Politicians Honest 9884 Courts Campaign Going to Court 9905 Litigation 10077 Action on Medical Care 10219 Health Insurer Accountability 10222 Universal Health Care 10228 vs. Insurers 10262 Health Insurance Mandate 10264 Sacramento published 1222 0 <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"> The President called for an up or down vote on health care reform, but I can say from my own experience this week working with Blue Cross patients, who are part of Consumer Watchdog&rsquo;s lawsuit against he company, that the public has already cast its vote.&nbsp; </p> false false 2010-03-05T16:02:01.650-08:00 story 33109 Candidates Find Incumbent Advantage Extends To Web http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/corporateering/articles/?storyId=33109 2010-03-04T15:53:00.000-08:00 By Sara Jerome, <font size="3">THE NATIONAL JOURNAL</font> 4563274 Thirteen years in the House and a stint as majority leader have furnished Rep.Roy Blunt, R-Mo., with useful GOP and K Street support for his Senate bid. But Blunt's long resume also means a boost from another source: Google. Google's overwhelming dominance of the search market has brought its power to determine marketplace outcomes under new scrutiny this year. Tech company Foundem and other so-called "search neutrality" advocates allege that the search engine is gaining an unfair advantage by favoring its own products in searches. The advocacy group Consumer Watchdog wrote the Justice Department last week urging it to investigate the issue, while the European Commission is already checking out complaints from Foundem and others.

]]> 9872 News Clipping In the media 9880 lobbying 9883 Politicians Campaign Keeping Politicians Honest 9907 DirtyMoneyWatch 9916 Corporateering 9918 Privacy 10088 Reforming Politics 10097 Corporateering Campaign Fighting Corporateering 10261 Campaign Finance 10265 Washington DC 11589 Google published 1222 0 Thirteen years in the House and a stint as majority leader have furnished Rep.Roy Blunt, R-Mo., with useful GOP and K Street support for his Senate bid. But Blunt's long resume also means a boost from another source: Google. Google's overwhelming dominance of the search market has brought its power to determine marketplace outcomes under new scrutiny this year. Tech company Foundem and other so-called "search neutrality" advocates allege that the search engine is gaining an unfair advantage by favoring its own products in searches. The advocacy group Consumer Watchdog wrote the Justice Department last week urging it to investigate the issue, while the European Commission is already checking out complaints from Foundem and others.

]]> false false 2010-03-04T13:08:47.027-08:00 story 33099 Good news for consumers at the FTC http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/corporateering/articles/?storyId=33099 2010-03-04T12:19:00.000-08:00 Posted by John M. Simpson 5264575 The senate confirmed two appointees to the <a href="http://ftc.gov/" target="_blank">Federal Trade Commission</a> Wednesday night, tipping the balance on the five-member commission to three seats appointed by Democrats to two held by Republican... 9877 Blog Post On the blog 9916 Corporateering 9918 Privacy 10097 Corporateering Campaign Fighting Corporateering published 1222 0 The senate confirmed two appointees to the <a href="http://ftc.gov/" target="_blank">Federal Trade Commission</a> Wednesday night, tipping the balance on the five-member commission to three seats appointed by Democrats to two held by Republican... false false 2010-03-03T17:52:12.520-08:00 story 33082 The Onion nails Google on privacy http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/corporateering/articles/?storyId=33082 2010-03-03T16:53:00.000-08:00 Posted by John M. Simpson 5264575 <p> <a href="http://www.theonion.com/content/index" target="_blank">The Onion</a>, the satirical newspaper, has an on-the-mark article today that makes you realize why people are concerned about the amount of information Internet giant...</p> 9877 Blog Post On the blog 9916 Corporateering 9918 Privacy 10097 Corporateering Campaign Fighting Corporateering 11589 Google published 1222 0 <p> <a href="http://www.theonion.com/content/index" target="_blank">The Onion</a>, the satirical newspaper, has an on-the-mark article today that makes you realize why people are concerned about the amount of information Internet giant...</p> false false 2010-03-03T13:58:19.922-08:00 story 33081 President Obama's best ally--Anthem Blue Cross http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/patients/articles/?storyId=33081 2010-03-03T12:47:00.000-08:00 Posted by Judy Dugan 5448270 President Obama's "get it done" speech on health reform Wednesday may have been a day late, but I hope it's not a dollar short, as the old saying goes. At least he has one tremendous ally in his call for action by Congress: Anthem Blue Cross, and the continuing outrage at its huge rate increases.

 

]]> 9877 Blog Post On the blog 9882 Protecting Patients Campaign Protecting Patients 9883 Politicians Campaign Keeping Politicians Honest 9884 Courts Campaign Going to Court 9905 Litigation 9914 Affordable Medicine 9916 Corporateering 10077 Action on Medical Care 10079 HMO/PPO Abuse 10219 Health Insurer Accountability 10228 vs. Insurers 10265 Washington DC published 1222 0 President Obama's "get it done" speech on health reform Wednesday may have been a day late, but I hope it's not a dollar short, as the old saying goes. At least he has one tremendous ally in his call for action by Congress: Anthem Blue Cross, and the continuing outrage at its huge rate increases.

 

]]> false false 2010-03-04T12:10:06.098-08:00 story 33098 Consumer Group Sues Anthem Blue Cross Over Rate Hike http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/patients/articles/?storyId=33098 2010-03-03T12:06:00.000-08:00 By Al Slavin, <font size="3">BESTWIRE</font> 4563274 A consumer group has filed a class-action lawsuit against Anthem Blue Cross of California, alleging the company's strategy in deploying an average 25% rate increase for individual plan customers violates state law. The lawsuit was filed by Consumer Watchdog on behalf of two Anthem policyholders who are covered under a program the insurer closed to new enrollees on Sept. 25, 2009. This triggers a &quot;death spiral&quot; as rate increases fall to &quot;those remaining in the closed book of business until they can no longer afford coverage,&quot; the lawsuit stated. 9872 News Clipping In the media 9882 Protecting Patients Campaign Protecting Patients 9884 Courts Campaign Going to Court 9905 Litigation 10077 Action on Medical Care 10079 HMO/PPO Abuse 10219 Health Insurer Accountability 10265 Washington DC 10342 Unfair Billing published 1222 0 A consumer group has filed a class-action lawsuit against Anthem Blue Cross of California, alleging the company's strategy in deploying an average 25% rate increase for individual plan customers violates state law. The lawsuit was filed by Consumer Watchdog on behalf of two Anthem policyholders who are covered under a program the insurer closed to new enrollees on Sept. 25, 2009. This triggers a &quot;death spiral&quot; as rate increases fall to &quot;those remaining in the closed book of business until they can no longer afford coverage,&quot; the lawsuit stated. false false 2010-03-03T11:35:12.335-08:00 story 33077 Google tries to highlight competition in SEC filing http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/corporateering/articles/?storyId=33077 2010-03-03T11:30:00.000-08:00 Posted by John M. Simpson 5264575 <a href="http://www.google.com/intl/en/corporate/" target="_blank">Google</a>, under antitrust scrutiny by the <a href="http://www.justice.gov/atr/" target="_blank">U.S. Department of Justice</a>, the ... 9877 Blog Post On the blog 9916 Corporateering 10097 Corporateering Campaign Fighting Corporateering 11589 Google published 1222 0 <a href="http://www.google.com/intl/en/corporate/" target="_blank">Google</a>, under antitrust scrutiny by the <a href="http://www.justice.gov/atr/" target="_blank">U.S. Department of Justice</a>, the ... false false 2010-03-03T18:00:32.402-08:00 story 33084 Senate Panel Mulls Consumer Protection Deal http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/politicians/articles/?storyId=33084 2010-03-02T17:57:00.000-08:00 By Jennifer Liberto, <font size="3">CNNMONEY.COM</font> 4563274 The Senate might break its impasse on financial overhaul if it moves forward with a proposal that would put a consumer financial protection watchdog inside the Federal Reserve. &quot;It's time for Senator Dodd to stop negotiating with Senators who have dug into battle trenches with the big banks in their attempt to block any meaningful consumer protections, and move a bill that will give the rest of the Senate a chance to vote for Main Street and support real reform,&quot; said Carmen Balber, Washington director for Consumer Watchdog, an advocacy group. 9872 News Clipping In the media 9879 legislation 9880 lobbying 9883 Politicians Campaign Keeping Politicians Honest 9907 DirtyMoneyWatch 10088 Reforming Politics 10097 Corporateering Campaign Fighting Corporateering 10261 Campaign Finance 10265 Washington DC 10321 deregulation 13552 Financial Reform published 1222 0 The Senate might break its impasse on financial overhaul if it moves forward with a proposal that would put a consumer financial protection watchdog inside the Federal Reserve. &quot;It's time for Senator Dodd to stop negotiating with Senators who have dug into battle trenches with the big banks in their attempt to block any meaningful consumer protections, and move a bill that will give the rest of the Senate a chance to vote for Main Street and support real reform,&quot; said Carmen Balber, Washington director for Consumer Watchdog, an advocacy group. false false 2010-03-04T17:46:44.127-08:00 story 33100 More Bad News For Anthem http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/patients/articles/?storyId=33100 2010-03-02T17:43:00.000-08:00 By Evan George, <font size="3">THE DAILY JOURNAL OF LOS ANGELES</font> 4563274 The company used controversial rate hikes, as high as 39 percent, to force older and sicker customers into high-deductible plans with fewer benefits so it could save money, Santa Monica-based Consumer Watchdog alleged in the complaint. The lawsuit seeks to end that tactic of "closing" an insurance product and raising rates to members while offering them cheaper plans, which plaintiffs say is known in the industry as the "death spiral."

]]> 9872 News Clipping In the media 9882 Protecting Patients Campaign Protecting Patients 9884 Courts Campaign Going to Court 9905 Litigation 10077 Action on Medical Care 10079 HMO/PPO Abuse 10219 Health Insurer Accountability 10228 vs. Insurers 10342 Unfair Billing published 1222 0 The company used controversial rate hikes, as high as 39 percent, to force older and sicker customers into high-deductible plans with fewer benefits so it could save money, Santa Monica-based Consumer Watchdog alleged in the complaint. The lawsuit seeks to end that tactic of "closing" an insurance product and raising rates to members while offering them cheaper plans, which plaintiffs say is known in the industry as the "death spiral."

]]> false false