Consumer Watchdog News

Schwarzenegger Administration Sued for Allowing Health Insurance Companies to Deny Autism Care

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 09:27:24 PDT

Santa Monica, CA -- The mother of an autistic child joined Consumer Watchdog and its attorneys today to announce a lawsuit against the California Department of Managed Health Care (“DMHC”), the Schwarzenegger Administration agency responsible for regulating many of California’s health insurers. The suit alleges that the DMHC has wrongfully allowed insurance companies to refuse to pay for autism treatments, resulting in the denial of critically needed, medically necessary treatment for autistic children.

State's Good Government Agency Calls for Reforms At Stem Cell Agency

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 14:11:00 PDT

Key 'Little Hoover' Recommendations Follow Consumer Watchdog's Proposals

Santa Monica, CA -- California’s good government agency, The Little Hoover Commission, today called for management and structural reforms at the state stem cell agency after an eight-month study. Key Commission recommendations follow many proposals made by Consumer Watchdog in testimony to the panel last November.

Consumers Urge DC Council to Make Insurers Accountable In Court For Unfairly Delaying, Denying Insurance Claims

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 10:28:54 PDT

Washington, D.C. -- Insurance policyholders whose legitimate insurance claims were low-balled, delayed or denied by their insurance companies testified before the D.C. Council yesterday in support of legislation that would allow consumers to hold their insurer accountable in court. Consumer Watchdog joined policyholders, advocacy organizations and attorneys for insurance consumers to call on the committee on Public Services and Consumer Affairs to forward legislation swiftly to the full council.

Groups to Congress: Don't Sacrifice Patient Safety to Lower Health Costs

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 10:18:30 PDT

Health Reform Should Reduce Medical Errors, Not Immunize Negligent Providers for Mistakes that Maim and Kill Innocent Patients

Washington, D.C. –- Congress should not confuse lowering health care costs with limiting patient safety, said a letter from consumer and patient advocates sent to Congress today. The groups urged a focus on reducing medical errors in health reform legislation, not limits on liability for negligent medical providers, as a means to both save lives and lower the costs of medical mistakes.

Consumer Watchdog To Obama: No "Cash For Clunkers" Without Compensation For GM Victims

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 09:31:00 PDT

Washington, DC -- Consumer Watchdog called upon President Obama to prioritize the purchase of an insurance policy for victims of defective GM vehicles in the company’s bankruptcy given his support for the “cash-for-clunkers” program.

Consumer Watchdog Praises Google For Considering New E-mail Security But Asks Why It Took Internet Giant So Long To Act To Protect Users

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 15:59:00 PDT

Santa Monica, CA -- Google should be praised for agreeing to offer improved security for users of its online services like Gmail, Consumer Watchdog said today, but the non-partisan, non-profit consumer group asked why the the company waited so long to act.

Largest U.S. Health Insurer Rewarded Employees That Cancelled Coverage Of Sick Patients -- Consumer Watchdog Calls On Congress To Ban Bonuses For Canceling, Delaying Or Denying Medical Care

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 12:27:00 PDT

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Consumer Watchdog called on Congress to ban any health insurance employee from receiving bonuses for canceling, delaying, or denying necessary medical care to patients based on new evidence made public today. The evidence released by the House subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations shows that WellPoint, the nation's largest health insurer, rewarded employees for canceling coverage of sick patients. Employees earned high points on "performance reviews" for retroactively canceling policies -- a practice known as "rescission."

Woman Whose Health Insurance Was Cancelled by Blue Cross/WellPoint After She Got Sick Urges Congress to Protect Innocent Patients

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 09:26:12 PDT

Congress Should Not Let Insurers Continue to Cheat Consumers in Health Care Reform

Washington D.C. -- Wittney Horton of Los Angeles, whose own insurance was cancelled after she sought routine medical care, appeared today before the House subcommittee on Government Oversight and Investigations to urge lawmakers to stop insurance companies from canceling or downgrading insurance coverage when patients get sick.

Will Insurer & Drug Money Leash the "Blue Dogs"?

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:13:00 PDT

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The "Blue Dog Coalition," a group of 51 conservative and moderate House democrats who now oppose a strong public option to for-profit health insurers, took $1.7 million in campaign contributions since 2005 from the health insurance and drug industries according to Consumer Watchdog.

Consumer Watchdog To Congress: Put Patients' Bill Of Rights Back On The Table

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 09:16:00 PDT

Washington, D.C. -- As the nation's health insurance companies met in San Diego, California to discuss how to "make health care reform a reality," Consumer Watchdog called on Congressional leaders to include key patient protections and legal accountability measures for health insurers and HMOs currently missing from the debate.

Consumer Watchdog Praises Insurance Commissioner Poizner for Health Insurance "Rescission" Rules, Pans Schwarzenegger Administration for Failure to Regulate HMOs

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 12:27:00 PDT

Without Parallel Rules In Department Of Managed Health Care, Insurers Can "Discriminate ... On the Basis of Which Agency Regulates" the Policy.

Los Angeles, CA -- At a press conference today in Los Angeles, Consumer Watchdog joined California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner to praise new rules proposed by the Department of Insurance to protect patients from health insurance cancellations when they get sick. The group called on Governor Schwarzenegger's Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC), which oversees a far larger share of the state's HMOs and health insurers, to move forward with similar rules now more than 18 months overdue.

Consumer Groups To Obama: Google Lobbyist's Appointment To Technology Post Raises Ethics Rules Questions For White House -- Appointment Should Not Go Forward

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 09:59:17 PDT

Washington, DC -- Two consumer groups today urged the White House not to move forward with the pending appointment of Google’s top global public policy official to the position of Deputy Chief Technology Officer in the White House, saying it would violate the intent of President Obama’s ethics rules meant to end the revolving door between lobbyists and the executive branch.

Health Affairs Report On Mass. Mandatory Insurance Law Confirms: Strong Public Option Must Be Included in National Health Reform

Thu, 28 May 2009 12:06:32 PDT

Washington D.C. -- A study released today in Health Affairs finds that a Massachusetts law requiring all to show proof of health insurance has resulted in higher costs. This predictable result confirms that President Obama's promised "public option" to private insurance must be a part of national health reform, said Consumer Watchdog.

Key Victory for Cell Phone Users: Nationwide Lawsuit Against Cingular/AT&T for Overcharges and Poor Cell Phone Service May Proceed, Federal Court Rules

Wed, 27 May 2009 10:29:34 PDT

Court Rejects AT&T's Efforts to Bar Customers from Joining Together to Hold the Company Accountable in Court

Santa Monica, CA -- A class action lawsuit charging that millions of cell phone users were misled and overcharged when Cingular merged with AT&T Wireless in 2004 may go forward, a federal court ruled on Tuesday.

'Optimism' Is Driving Energy Prices, Consumers Will Suffer The Memorial Day Hangover, Says Consumer Watchdog

Fri, 22 May 2009 11:47:00 PDT

Oil, Gas Prices Rising Again At Record Clip For Holiday, Despite Oversupply, Low Demand, Says Group

Washington DC -- The price of regular gasoline at the pump has shot up 30 cents a gallon nationally in the last month and crude oil has nearly doubled, to $60 a barrel, since its low point in December, according to data from AAA and the federal Energy Information Administration. Steeply rising prices are tough on everyone except energy traders, said Consumer Watchdog.

Rarely Used Closed Doors Slammed Again In U.S. Senate Health Care Reform

Wed, 20 May 2009 12:53:53 PDT

Sen. Max Baucus Must Publicly Answer 10 Questions About Mandatory Purchase of Health Insurance

Washington D.C. -- For the second time in two weeks, the U.S. Senate Finance Committee today invoked rules—allowing a closed door committee session barring the public, media and with no Congressional Record—reserved for unusual circumstances, like national security issues and trade secrets.

New Federal Stem Cell Rules Would Hinder Existing Research, Consumer Group Warns

Wed, 20 May 2009 11:39:31 PDT

NIH Should Fix Standards To Allow Use Of Current Stem Cell Lines

Santa Monica, CA -- Regulations governing stem cell research proposed by the Obama Administration -- unless modified before final implementation on July 1 -- prohibit federal funding of important research that had received funding under the Bush Administration, Consumer Watchdog said today. The nonpartisan, nonprofit group called on the National Institutes of Health to change the draft regulations.

As President Obama Orders Tough Tailpipe Regulations, Consumer Group Offers 'A' to 'F' Solutions for Cleaner and Cheaper Transportation

Tue, 19 May 2009 10:16:00 PDT

Americans Want Green Solutions But Worry About Costs; Handbook Identifies Wasted Billions, Best Paths

Washington, DC -- As President Obama announces new national tailpipe emission standards modeled on California’s, Consumer Watchdog is releasing a report that outlines how to affordably make the transition. The nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy group today sent to the White House and Congress its new “Road to Cleaner and Cheaper” handbook, which urges specific policies and grades vehicle and fuel choices on their cleaner/cheaper balance, from “A” for hybrid electric vehicles to “F” for fuel made from coal.

Sen. Max Baucus: Answer 10 Questions About Mandatory Purchase of Health Insurance Including Why the Public Was Excluded From Today's Committee Meeting

Thu, 14 May 2009 09:36:00 PDT

Washington D.C. -- The U.S. Senate Finance Committee, in closed-door health care discussions today, must answer ten questions about how its plan to require all Americans to show proof of insurance or face tax penalties will provide affordable health care, said Consumer Watchdog.

Insurers Contributed $35.7 Million To Members of Congress Since 2005

Thu, 14 May 2009 07:46:00 PDT

Auto, home, business and life insurance companies contributed $35,743,017 million to members of Congress during the last two election cycles, according to an analysis released today by the nonprofit, nonpartisan Consumer Watchdog. About $5 million went to members of the House subcommittee holding a hearing Thursday entitled "How Should the Federal Government Oversee Insurance?"

President Obama, Sens. Kennedy & Baucus: Don't Buy Insurer "Compromise" for Bush-era Plan to Gut State Consumer Protection Laws

Mon, 11 May 2009 09:42:21 PDT

Washington, D.C. -- President Obama and U.S. Senate health care reform leaders must not override state consumer protection laws as suggested by health insurers last week, a move long-supported by insurers and the Bush Administration said Consumer Watchdog in a letter to the president and senators. The hard-fought state laws enacted in nearly every state over the last 10 years were made necessary because Congress failed to enact Patients' Bill of Rights legislation.

Google Presentation On "Google, Competition and Openness" Shared With Justice Department And Myths Debunked By Consumer Watchdog

Fri, 08 May 2009 16:26:00 PDT

Washington, DC -- Consumer Watchdog has sent to the U.S. Justice Department a Google document presenting the best corporate arguments for why Google should not be viewed as monopolistic, along with a duplicate of the presentation marked up with comments from an expert countering the claims. The nonprofit consumer group received both documents from an anonymous industry insider.

Safeco Must Disclose Who It Surcharged for Auto Insurance, Court Rules

Fri, 01 May 2009 13:05:00 PDT

Lawsuit Seeking Refunds for Violations of Proposition 103 Will Proceed

Santa Monica, CA – Safeco Insurance Company will be required to disclose which customers it surcharged due to their lack of prior continuous automobile insurance coverage, the California Court of Appeal in Los Angeles has ruled. Plaintiffs allege that such unapproved and undisclosed surcharges violate Proposition 103, the landmark insurance regulation initiative approved by California voters in 1988.

Exxon Profit at 2003-04 Levels 'Shows What Normal Looks Like,' Says Consumer Group

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 12:57:22 PDT

Despite 2/3 Drop in Crude Oil Prices, Oil Giant Boosts Bottom Line With Refining Profits

Santa Monica, CA -- Exxon Mobil’s first quarter profit of $4.55 billion dollars is small only by comparison to the last six years of nearly continuous profit records, said Consumer Watchdog. Its first quarter profit is more than $1 billion above what it made for the period in 2003 and about the same amount below its profit in 2004, the first two years of a boom that lasted until the current quarter.

Lesson From the States: Lack of Cost Controls Derailed California Health Reform, Led to Budget Overruns and Unaffordable Policies in Massachusetts

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 10:47:01 PDT

Washington D.C. -- Health care reform failed in California last year, and Massachusetts faces budget overruns and out-of-pocket cost increases for patients under its health care law, because cost control was not part of state reform proposals, said Consumer Watchdog today in advance of a U.S. Senate Committee hearing on how state efforts should inform the national debate.

U.S. Senate Records Reveal Google Inc. Lobbying Campaign On Personal Medical Records Law Despite Internet Giant's Denials

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 09:32:00 PDT

Washington, DC -- First quarter federal reports show Google lobbied on the electronic medical records provisions of the federal economic stimulus act, contradicting the Internet giant’s earlier claims that Consumer Watchdog’s report of its effort was “100 percent false.”

Consumer Group Applauds Costco for Deal to Sell 'Fair Fuel,' Ending Hot Fuel Ripoff

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 09:32:00 PDT

Agreement for Costco Gas Stations Would Adjust Fuel for Temperature in Several States -- Oil Companies Will be 'Making Fairness Illegal' if They Try to Stop Costco Deal, says Consumer Watchdog

Santa Monica, CA -- Costco has agreed to settle a lawsuit over the sale of “hot gasoline,” becoming the first U.S. gasoline retailer to do so and setting a possible national precedent, said Consumer Watchdog. The group applauded the discount chain and urged others to break ranks with the oil industry and sell “fair fuel.”

Legislation to Federalize Insurance Regulation Would Free Insurers From Consumer Protections in 50 States

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 10:01:55 PDT

State Insurance Regulation Kept Insurance Industry Safe While Federal Regulators Failed to Protect Financial Markets, Says Consumer Watchdog

Washington, D.C. -- A federal proposal to allow insurance companies to choose their regulator would free insurance companies from the local oversight of 50 states and the District of Columbia and roll back strong state-based consumer protections, said the nonprofit, nonpartisan Consumer Watchdog.

Senator Kennedy Shouldn't Give In To HMO Demands

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 09:11:22 PDT

Washington D.C. -- Consumer Watchdog wrote a letter to U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) urging that he continue to protect patients consistent with the principles he has articulated during his 40 year career by demanding a strong public health plan in the Senate’s health care overhaul and resisting mandatory purchase of private insurance policies.

Allstate's NY Times Op-Ed Hides True Motivation of Company: Federal Deregulation of Insurance

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 13:32:49 PDT

Allstate Wants Back the $500 Million Consumers Saved Under California State Insurance Regulation

Washington, D.C. -- Consumer advocates observed today that Allstate Insurance Company wants to take insurance regulation away from the states, as argued today by CEO Tom Davis in a New York Times opinion piece, because state regulators have successfully prevented the company from overcharging policyholders. Allstate was ordered to lower rates by $500 million for its California homeowners and auto insurance customers last year under strong state insurance regulations that prohibit excessive rates. Similarly, in Florida, Allstate has drawn aggressive regulatory oversight in response to the company's anti-consumer practices.

Consumer Group Calls On Justice Department To Intervene In Google Book Settlement

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 09:59:00 PDT

"Orphan Works" provision and "Most Favored Nation" Clause Raise Antitrust Concerns

Santa Monica, CA -- Google’s proposed settlement with authors and publishers raises antitrust concerns, Consumer Watchdog said today and the nonpartiasn, nonprofit group called on the U.S. Department of Justice to intervene.

Consumer Group to Geithner: Don't Use Financial Overhaul to Deregulate Insurance

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 11:04:52 PDT

"Pick Your Own Regulator" Plan Would Dismantle State Consumer Protections

Santa Monica, CA -- Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner's apparent support for a proposal to allow insurance companies to opt out of state regulation and choose, instead, federal oversight caused alarm among consumer advocates. The so-called "optional federal charter" would deregulate the one industry in the financial sector that, because it is overseen exclusively by the states, was not left to its own destructive devices by weak federal regulators, said the nonpartisan, nonprofit Consumer Watchdog in a letter to Geithner sent today.

Consumer Watchdog to Regulator: Disclose Private Communications With Insurers About Autism Coverage, Rescission

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 11:35:29 PDT

Group Calls DMHC Memo to Health Insurers Illegal

Santa Monica, CA -- California's HMO regulator should provide legal justifications for its refusal to disclose records documenting private conversations with health insurance representatives about autism coverage and policy cancellations, according to a letter sent today by Consumer Watchdog. The state regulator has said that it may not provide all available records in response to Consumer Watchdog’s recent Public Records Act request.

Consumer Group Letters Charge Conflict of Interest in Oil-Friendly Outcome of California Fuel Temperature Study

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 12:30:00 PDT

Gov. Schwarzenegger, Assembly Speaker Bass Asked for Action to Protect Consumer Fairness

Santa Monica, CA -- Consumer Watchdog has filed a state complaint that a conflict of interest affected the outcome of the California Energy Commission’s study on the costs and befits of fixing the “hot fuel” ripoff in the state. The group also asked Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to request the resignation of the energy commissioner who led the study, and in a letter to Assembly Speaker Karen Bass asked that she disregard the recommendations of the conflicted study, which the energy commission approved last week, and pass legislation that is fair to consumers.

Congress Should Preserve State Insurance Regulation That Kept Insurers Stable While Financial Firms Crumbled Under Federal Oversight, Says Consumer Watchdog

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 09:10:56 PDT

Washington, D.C. -- Congress should reject any proposal that would deregulate insurance or otherwise override state insurance laws that have successfully protected consumers during the current economic crisis, said the nonprofit Consumer Watchdog today in advance of an insurance hearing in the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs.

AIG Bonuses Should Be Delivered by FBI, Consumer Watchdog Says

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 12:34:04 PDT

Advocates Say No Bonuses Should Be Paid Until Law Enforcement Conducts Detailed Review Of Any AIG Employee Who Wants to Enforce Contract

Santa Monica, CA -- Consumer advocates said that federal law enforcement agencies should create a special investigative unit dedicated to unearthing any fraud or misconduct attributable to AIG employees paid bonuses since taxpayers bailed out the company. The nonpartisan, nonprofit Consumer Watchdog said that AIG executives and employees who claim a "contractual right" to a bonus should be subject to the strictest scrutiny by the FBI and Department of Justice.

Documents Show Political Appointees Interfered With Cal. Energy Commission Study Of Hot Fuel Ripoff To Protect Oil Companies

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 10:15:00 PDT

Consumer Group Says Government Staff's Consumer-Oriented Findings Were Altered by Commissioners With Ties to Oil Industry

Santa Monica, CA -- Public documents retrieved by Consumer Watchdog reveal that, after private meetings with oil industry representatives, some of the California Energy Commission's politically appointed Board Members changed staff conclusions in a study of "hot fuel," in a way that protected the interest of oil companies.

Consumer Group Wants Public To Share Profits From Federally Funded Stem Cell And Medical Research

Mon, 09 Mar 2009 10:15:14 PDT

Lauds Lifting of Ban And Calls On President Obama To Follow Policies Established By California Stem Cell Agency

Santa Monica, CA — Consumer Watchdog today praised President Obama for lifting Bush era restrictions on federal funding of stem cell research and called on him to implement further policy changes that would allow taxpayers to share in any profits from research they have funded.

Health Insurers & Drug Companies Contributed $5.5 Million to Top 10 Senate and House Recipients Since 2005

Mon, 09 Mar 2009 09:28:00 PDT

Senator Max Baucus, Leading Architect of Health Care Reform, Received More Industry Contributions Than Any Other Democrat

WASHINGTON D.C. -- Health insurers and pharmaceutical manufacturers contributed $5.5 million to the top 10 recipients in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives during the last two election cycles -- a period in which health care reform dominated political discourse, according to the nonprofit, nonpartisan Consumer Watchdog.

Parents of Autistic Children Fight Back -- Warn HMO Regulator Against Siding With Insurers Refusing to Pay for Treatment

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 10:28:00 PST

Kaiser, Blue Cross and Other Health Insurers Illegally Deny Treatment to Autistic Children, Says Consumer Watchdog

Santa Monica, CA -- Parents of autistic children and their families joined Consumer Watchdog today in warning California regulators not to side with health insurance companies that are scheming to avoid paying for autism treatment that is required by state law.

Consumer Groups Seek Records of California Energy Commission On Disputed 'Hot Fuel' Report, After Conflict of Interest Charge Against Commissioner

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 15:01:02 PST

Commission Again Delays Vote on Anti-Consumer Report as Oil-Lobbyist Spouse of Commissioner Quits Her Role

Santa Monica, CA -- Consumer Watchdog and Public Citizen have filed a detailed request for public records of the California Energy Commission, seeking communications between its professional staff and a politically appointed member of the commission’s board whose spouse was a state-registered lobbyist for the oil industry. The two groups previously sent a letter charging a conflict of interest by the commissioner, James Boyd, whose spouse, Catherine Reheis-Boyd, is chief operating officer of the Western States Petroleum Association.

Privacy Watchdog Condemns Google For Effort To Defund It: Calls For Greater Corporate Disclosure About Lobbying Efforts And Independent Privacy Chief

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 11:29:00 PST

Washington, DC -- Consumer Watchdog President Jamie Court wrote Google’s CEO Eric Schmidt today questioning the company’s priorities following efforts by one of Google’s top executives to dissuade a charitable foundation from supporting the nonpartisan group’s privacy efforts.

Public Interest Groups Ask California Supreme Court to Rehear Case on Consumer Protection Law

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 13:10:00 PST

Groups Want Reversal On Ruling That Companies Can Continue Illegal Practices Until Someone Gets Hurt

Santa Monica, CA -- In an extraordinary request made late yesterday, eight public interest organizations asked the California Supreme Court to scrap its recent decision barring consumers from going to court to block unlawful terms in a contract unless the consumer suffered “some damage.” The groups said the decision of the court leaves businesses unaccountable for clear violations of the law.

Consumer Watchdog To U.S. Senate: Don't Leave Consumers Out Of Health Reform Debate, Public Opposes Mandatory Purchases of Private Insurance & Supports Opening Medicare To Everyone

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 12:02:32 PST

Washington, D.C. -- Consumer Watchdog sent a letter to Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) and other U.S senators today expressing their profound disappointment that consumer advocates had been left out of closed negotiations orchestrated by the Massachusetts senator to forumulate health care reform legislation. The nonprofit and nonpartisan group noted two recent national polls showing the public overwhelming opposed the central premise of the Senate’s so-called “workhorse” group, mandatory purchases of private heath insurance, and supported a different path — giving Americans of any age access to Medicare.

Consumer Watchdog Calls on HMO Regulator To Disclose Communications With Insurance Companies Regarding Autism Coverage Denials

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 11:05:17 PST

Santa Monica, CA -- Consumer Watchdog called on the California Department of Managed Health Care to make public all communications between top Department officials and insurance company representatives regarding the treatment of autism. Currently, many insurers refuse to pay for treatment even though such coverage is required by law.

Six In 10 Americans Support Opening Medicare as a "Public Option" to the Private Insurance Market; Public Willing To Pay Through Payroll Deductions

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 09:18:42 PST

Washington, D.C. -- Deep public dissatisfaction with the current health insurance system is evident in a new poll showing that 64% of Americans support expanding Medicare as a choice for anyone who wants an option to the private insurance market. The poll numbers illustrate unease with rising premiums, diminishing benefits and loss of health coverage when a job disappears.

Treasury Secretary Should Not Let Insurance Deregulation Proposal Infect Financial Reform Plan, Say Advocates

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 10:25:00 PST

Consumer Group Calls Congress Members' Appeal A Stalking Horse for Federal Deregulation of Insurance

Washington, D.C. -- Consumer advocates warned Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner not to allow necessary reform of the financial markets become a launching pad for insurance industry efforts to federally deregulate insurance, in a letter sent today.

Consumer Groups Protest California Energy Commission's Skew to Oil Industry in 'Hot Fuel' Report

Mon, 09 Feb 2009 12:27:00 PST

Letter to Commissioner Heading Hot Fuel Study Cites His Clear Conflict of Interest: Spouse's Petroleum Association Job

Washington, DC -- Two national consumer advocacy groups today protested a report by the California Energy Commission that is likely to roll back consumer rights on the sale of gasoline in the state. The California action will also affect national policy on the fairness of gasoline sales, said Public Citizen and Consumer Watchdog.

Commissioner Poizner Cuts Deal Allowing Auto Club to Keep $140 Million of Policyholder Money

Fri, 06 Feb 2009 12:38:00 PST

Weakened Regulations, Disregard for Process Leave AAA Insurance Customers Paying Too Much

Santa Monica, CA -- California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner's decision to limit the size of Auto Club of Southern California's insurance rate cut will cost AAA policyholders an average of $240 each this year. The Commissioner announced a 5.4% rate cut for the state's 2nd largest auto insurer today without the agreement of Consumer Watchdog, which requested a hearing on Auto Club's rate application. The group said that, by its review of the company's data, the Commissioner should have required a much more substantial rate cut (at least 13%) and that the Department of Insurance had not properly involved consumer intervenors in the process and may have not followed its own regulations.

Consumer Watchdog To Google: Publicly Disclose Your Lobbying Positions On Electronic Medical Record Provisions In Stimulus Bill

Mon, 02 Feb 2009 13:05:00 PST

Santa Monica, CA -- A national consumer group today called upon Google to publicly disclose its lobbying positions on the electronic medical record provisions of the financial stimulus legislation given a new account by an independent journalist that Google's presence on the bill was felt on Capitol Hill.