Consumer Federation of California

Data breaches at U.S. health-care providers are increasing as hospitals adopt electronic medical records and mobile technology without spending enough on security to ensure patient privacy, a research group said. Read More ›

State Sen. Leland Yee…said…that his first action when the Legislature reconvenes…will be to introduce a bill to repeal a law barring the public release of most records at the commission without a vote of its five appointed members.
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The latest salvo came last week from the retailers, who have alleged that bankers are continuing to gouge them – despite the new limits – by exploiting a provision that allows them to add the costs of updating equipment to the fees they charge merchants. Read More ›

Californians concerned about dangerous pipelines running underneath their neighborhoods are barred from obtaining government records about them by a 60-year-old state law backed by Pacific Gas and Electric Co. and other utilities, a Chronicle investigation shows. Read More ›

The big question is, why would a private insurance company spend millions of dollars to save driver’s money? Out of the goodness of their hearts? No. It’s a great example of horrible government. Because they have money, Mercury is able to buy politicians, lawyers, and deceptive ads that make their mislabeled laws appear to benefit consumers. Read More ›

Facing growing concerns over the health risks of flame retardants in household products, the chemical industry spent at least $23.2 million over the past five years to lobby California officials and donate to campaigns in a successful effort to defeat legislation. Read More ›

Lobbyists have a lot to be thankful for this holiday season. The powerful interests that employ lobbyists spent nearly quarter of a billion dollars – $217 million from Jan. 1 through Sept. 30 – to persuade government to meet their clients’ needs. The amount is a record. Read More ›

Sutter Health is being sued for negligence and other allegations in the mid-October theft of a computer from Sutter Medical Foundation headquarters that held information on more than 4 million of its patients.
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New figures show two California campuses owned by for-profit education firm Career Education Corp. appear to have placed fewer than 65 percent of graduates in jobs – the minimum job placement rate required by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools. Read More ›

…significant increases in health insurance premiums over the past seven years will provide fodder for a recently launched campaign in California to let voters decide whether the state should have the authority to reject health insurance rate increases. Read More ›