CFC Supports AB 52 (Feuer) – Health Insurance Rate Approval
AB 52 would bring California in line with 35 other states that require some form of prior health insurance rate approval by state regulators. Read More ›
Change in ‘Made in USA’ label debated
by Michael Gardner, San Diego Union Tribune
The labels are “beneficial to consumers who care where their products are made to have truthful information when determining what to buy,” Richard Holober, executive director of the Consumer Federation of California…The federal law is weaker so we are better off not changing a good standard.’ Read More ›
Privacy Threats The Constitution Can’t Protect You From
by Zack Kaldveer, CFC Communications Director, Privacy Revolt
We would do well to – sooner rather than later – recognize the inherent and fundamental value that privacy provides ANY claimed democracy. Without one there can not be the other. Read More ›
As anti-piracy bills stall, activists switch focus to web tracking legislation
by G.W. Schulz, California Watch
…digital rights activists might now be turning their attention to a lesser-noticed bill aimed at requiring Internet companies to store identifying information about their customers. Read More ›
CFC Supports SB 890 – The Fair Debt Buyers Practices Act
SB 890 requires that debt buyers have essential information about a debt before they try to collect it or bring a lawsuit, and share that information with the consumer on request. Read More ›
‘Medicare for All’ Would Solve California’s Budget Deficit
by Jennifer Epps, Ocean Beach Rag
SB 810 would eliminate private health insurance entirely. All Californians’ healthcare costs would be paid for from one big pool. It’s just like the way people get insurance coverage now, except much much simpler, everyone would be covered, and the profit motive would be removed. Read More ›
Google’s New Privacy Policy Causes Controversy
by Zack Kaldveer, CFC Communications Director, Privacy Revolt
“Google’s new privacy announcement is frustrating and a little frightening. Even if the company believes that tracking users across all platforms improves their services, consumers should still have the option to Opt Out’especially the kids and teens who are avid users of YouTube, Gmail and Google Search.” Read More ›
Scoring the California Legislature: Who Stood With Consumers In 2011?
We hope this scorecard can help Californians evaluate whether their lawmakers voted on behalf of their interests when it comes to issues that affect their pocketbooks, privacy, and health and safety, but often get little news coverage. Read More ›
Supreme Court Rules Search Warrant Needed to Track People Using GPS
by Zack Kaldveer, CFC Communications Director, Privacy Revolt
The fourth amendment isn’t completely dead after all! While this fundamental right to privacy is admittedly in tatters, the Supreme Court ruled last week that police must have a warrant in order to track someone using a GPS device. Read More ›
Consumer Federation of California Releases 2011 Scorecard for State Legislators
The scorecard highlighted a deep ideological split between the two parties when it comes to consumer rights protections. Assembly Democrats had an average score of 93 percent (a six point increase from last year), with Senate Democrats averaging 83 percent (a 3 point drop from last year). Read More ›
Initiative Granting Discounts for Continuous Coverage to Be Included on California Ballot
by Jeff Jeffrey, Insurance News
“As we have seen in the past, just having coverage does not demonstrate driving performance,” Holober said. “This measure would have a similar effect to how pre-existing conditions affect people who purchase health insurance.” Read More ›
Zombie Initiative Alert: Prop 17 is Back from the Dead
by Richard Holober, Executive Director, Consumer Federation of California
The measure has the same goal as Proposition 17, which voters rejected in 2010. It would impose insurance surcharges on California drivers simply because they had been car-free for a time. Read More ›
Watch CFC’s Richard Holober talk with ABC TV about new insurance industry initiative
by Nannette Miranda , ABC News Channel 7
Consumer Federation of California says the initiative isn’t good for people who have been uninsured for a time, even if because they gave up their car. The cost of getting reinsured will jump. Coverage doesn’t determine whether you’re a good driver. Read More ›