California probe recommended into oversight of trillions of dollars in utility ratepayer money
by George Avalos , San Jose Mercury News
The state legislative analyst recommended that auditors probe whether regulators are properly overseeing accounts for utility projects totaling trillions of dollars. Read More ›
Blue Cross suspends mandatory HIV/AIDS drug mail order program
by Jerry Flanagan, Consumer Watchdog
In the face of overwhelming public outrage and consumer complaints, Blue Cross is suspending their controversial planned forced mail-order pharmacy program for HIV/AIDS patients. Read More ›
Toxic nap mats draw suit in Oakland
by Stephanie Lee, San Francisco Chronicle
An Oakland watchdog group said it is suing manufacturers and retailers, including Target and Amazon.com, for selling nap mats made with a toxic flame retardant that is a known carcinogen. Read More ›
States worry about rate shock during shift to new health law
by Noam N. Levey, Los Angeles Times
Even states that back Obama’s healthcare law worry about a jump in some insurance premiums as it takes effect. Read More ›
California energy customers could get $1.6 billion in refunds
by Dale Kasler, Sacramento Bee
California electricity consumers could get refunds totaling $1.6 billion because of excessive rates charged during the initial phase of the energy crisis, the Public Utilities Commission said today. Read More ›
Anthem Blue Cross rolls back rate increase
by Chad Terhune, Los Angeles Times
Health insurer Anthem Blue Cross agrees to reduce the average increase to 14% from 18% in response to regulators’ criticism.
Read More ›
California health exchange rolls out coverage options
by Jeremy White, Sacramento Bee
Millions of uninsured Californians will soon be required to buy health insurance or face a penalty, and Wednesday morning they got a glimpse of what to expect. Read More ›
Foreclosures drop 75% following passage of homeowners bill of rights
by Rebecca Band, California Progress Report
A lot can change in a year, and a new report released this week has found the number of foreclosures in California has dropped dramatically. Read More ›
Doubts voiced on fracking oversight at California hearing
by Michael Mishak, Los Angeles Times
Some lawmakers say proposed rules don’t go far enough to require disclosure by oil companies using the extraction method. Read More ›
CFC releases 2012 Scorecard for State Legislators
The Consumer Federation of California released its 2012 Scorecard for State Legislators, which rates lawmakers on their votes cast on key consumer rights bills. Read More ›
Consumer Federation of California releases 2012 Scorecard for State Legislators
The Consumer Federation of California released its 2012 Scorecard for State Legislators, rating lawmakers on their votes cast on key consumer rights bills. Read More ›
California bill would ban teen drivers from using Smart car technology
by Torey Van Oot, Sacramento Bee
California minors are already banned from using their smartphones behind the wheel, even with a hands-free device. New legislation would expand those rules to include their use of new technology while driving. Read More ›
Online instruction destined to increase in California colleges
by Jim Sanders, Sacramento Bee
Gov. Brown and CA university officials say it’s inevitable. Targeting a tech-savvy generation, they are paving the way for more students to pass courses and obtain degrees without ever going to class. Read More ›