Consumer Watchdog – 'Midday Sunday' Interview with Prop 103 Author, Harvey Rosenfield

Will 'progressives' let middle class burn to prove their point?

August 30, 2010 | Posted by Jamie Court

When Anthem Blue Cross announced its controversial premium increases in California recently, the insurer claimed, "a carrier must be able to receive actuarially sound rates." So it is remarkable that "progressive" San Francisco State Senator Mark Leno, a single payer health care advocate, recently introduced eleventh hour legislation codifying Anthem Blue Cross's "actuarially sound" defense of premium increases in law.

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Insurers hold death benefits for more profit

August 13, 2010 | Posted by Carmen Balber

Life insurers are facing broad criticism for profiting from the death benefits of soldiers and other life insurance policyholders after a claim is supposed to be paid...

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Corporate "smart initiatives" will test California voters' smarts Tuesday

June 3, 2010 | Posted by Jamie Court

During my two decades battling in California's ballot initiative process never before have large corporations been poised to gain so much so cleverly as in next Tuesday's election.

Industries have long tried to lard ballots...

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Health insurance premium curbs are catching on

March 10, 2010 | Posted by Judy Dugan

Consumer Watchdog's calls for tough and open health insurance rate regulation are being echoed and amplified. The latest instance is in Connecticut, the home state of insurance companies, where Attorney General Earl Blumenthal recently proposed major reforms that would require the state to review and reject, modify or allow a rate change before it goes into effect. No more shrugging and letting it happen without a public review.

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Jerry Brown gets it right on Prop 17's Title & Summary

February 23, 2010 | Posted by Jamie Court

California Attorney General Jerry Brown has issued his final ballot label for Proposition 17, the Mercury Insurance-financed ballot measure to surcharge those with lapses in auto insurance coverage.  Brown got the ballot label right this time, acknowledging Prop 17 allowed insurers to increase premiums, as well as lower prices, based on whether a driver has a lapse in insurance coverage.

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