Category Archives: Uncategorized
Senate confirms Cordray to head Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
by Kevin Lam, Reuters, Washington Post
The Senate confirmed Richard Cordray to head the CFPB, ending years of contentious political wrangling over the leadership of one of the most influential agencies in Washington. The vote came hours after lawmakers averted a showdown over Senate rules governing whether a filibuster could be used to block presidential appointees. Read More ›
Hazardous lead paint: Legal battle comes to trial in California
by Howard Mintz, San Jose Mercury News
From old cottages in Berkeley and Palo Alto to ranch-style homes in Silicon Valley, the remnants of a hazardous past can lurk in the walls — lead paint. And now 10 California cities will finally get to try to make the powerful paint industry pay dearly to remove those poisonous ghosts from millions of homes around the state. Read More ›
74% of consumers support approving CFPB director
by Mary Beth Quirk, Consumerist
This week the Senate will vote to confirm a director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Richard Cordray, who has been overseeing the bureau for the entirety of its existence since Jan 2012. Read More ›
Fraud fear raised in California’s health exchange
by Judy Lin, Associated Press Writer, Daily Democrat
As California prepares to launch its health care exchange, consumer groups are worried the uninsured could fall victim to fraud, identity theft or other crimes at the hands of some of the very people who are supposed to help them enroll. Read More ›
Sacramento, statewide foreclosures plunge in first half of year
by Mark Glover, Sacramento Bee
Year-over-year foreclosure activity default notices, scheduled auctions and bank repossessions in California plunged dramatically through the first half of this year. Read More ›
Apple conspired to fix e-book prices, judge rules
by Editor, BBC News
The judge said the publisher defendants conspired with each other to eliminate retail price competition in order to raise e-book prices, and that Apple played a central role in facilitating and executing that conspiracy. Read More ›
Tell Committee members: Reject AB 844, which destroys credit card privacy
On Wednesday, July 3, the Senate Banking and Financial Institutions Committee will vote on anti-privacy bill AB 844 (Dickinson). AB 844 is being touted as a bill to protect consumers’ personal information for online credit card purchases, with claims it will better protect consumers’ privacy by safeguarding … Read More ›
2013 HIPAA Omnibus Rule
In early 2013, the HHS added new scope to HIPAA, which provides individuals new rights to their health information, and strengthens the government’s ability to enforce the law. The changes provide consumers with increased protection and control of personal health information. The 2013 HIPAA Omnibus Rule expands … Read More ›
Concerns with HIPAA
There are concerns that consent is not required for a long list of legal and administrative purposes that include law enforcement and public health. That means that if you have been a victim of a HIPAA violation, you have no legal recourse. Instead, only the HHS and … Read More ›
Who Must Comply with the HIPAA Privacy Rule?
The HIPAA Privacy Rule pertains to health care providers, health plans, and health care clearinghouses and to the business associates of these entities. Health care providers – As long as they transmit information electronically, “health care provider” includes close to all entities in the business of doctors, … Read More ›
TracFone’s ‘get out of jail free’ legislation removed by author
TracFone is sponsoring a bill that would give public utility companies, individuals, and private corporations the ability to not be responsible for their actions, if they claim that CPUC staff advised them.
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Automobile guide revisions provoke uproar
by Christopher Jensen, New York Times
Proposed changes to the federal used-car buyers guide have stirred disagreements over whether the wording reduces protection for consumers. Read More ›
Fire-retardant chemicals in furniture challenged in California
by Jeremy White, Sacramento Bee
Jim Doucette served the Sacramento Fire Department for more than 30 years, and he understood the perils of the job when he accepted it. But there was one hazard he did not anticipate: the effects of burning toxic chemicals embedded in furniture.
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