Consumer Federation of America

Leading Senior Groups Join Coalition Opposing SB 263

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木曜日, 2月 15, 2024

Consumer Federation of America, Regulation, Thought, CDI, Assembly, CFC, California Department, CFA, Organization, Consumer Federation of California, Insurance, Senate

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Feb. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Senator Bill Dodd's (D - Napa) Senate Bill 263, sponsored by the California Department of Insurance (CDI), was passed by the Assembly on Monday, February 12, without the implementation of key amendments proposed by consumer protection groups. The coalition of consumer groups opposing SB 263 has now expanded to include the California Alliance of Retired Americans and Californians for Nursing Home Reform. Additional organizations include Consumer Federation of California (CFC), Life Insurance Consumer Advocacy Center (LICAC), the Consumer Federation of America (CFA) and United Policyholders (UP).

Key Points:

The coalition of consumer groups opposing SB 263 has now expanded to include the California Alliance of Retired Americans and Californians for Nursing Home Reform.
The coalition of consumer groups has raised significant concerns over the bill as written.
"We are proud to come together with a coalition of consumer groups to stand against SB 263.
Reg BI includes much stronger customer best-interest requirements and protections against conflicts of interest than does SB 263.

SENATE COMMERCE COMMITTEE TO MARKUP FAA REAUTHORIZATION BILL; PASSENGER PRIORITIES REMAIN ABSENT, AS REPORTED BY FLYERSRIGHTS

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水曜日, 2月 7, 2024

Consumer Federation of America, MAX, Aviation, Representative, Fortnight, Consumer Action, Congress, House, Safety, Sunset provision, Senate, National Consumers League, D.C, Florida State Road 758, Crash, Letter, FlyersRights.org

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On Thursday February 8th the Senate Commerce Committee will mark up its FAA Reauthorization bill, which was originally scheduled to be marked up in June 2023.

Key Points:

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On Thursday February 8th the Senate Commerce Committee will mark up its FAA Reauthorization bill, which was originally scheduled to be marked up in June 2023.
The House of Representatives passed its Reauthorization bill on a bipartisan basis in July of 2023.
The current draft of the Senate bill does not include many of the passenger protection and safety provisions supported by a group of national airline passenger and consumer protection organizations.
Consumer groups wrote to the chairs of the House and Senate committees in July 2022 to identify consumers' top priorities.

Consumer Watchdog Study: Public Scrutiny Has Saved Californians Over $5.5 Billion on Home, Auto Insurance Since 2002, Including $885 Million at Year-End

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木曜日, 2月 1, 2024

CDI, Commissioner, Policy, Book, Failure, Disclosure, Nation, Lawyer, Proposition 103, GEICO, Consumer Watchdog, Sale, Consumer Federation of America, Insurance

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumer Watchdog, a non-profit citizen organization, has saved state consumers $5.5 billion over the last 21 years using a voter-approved law that gives Californians a powerful and direct voice in how much insurance companies can charge – and insurance companies are trying to get rid of it.

Key Points:

The report finds that insurance companies are primarily responsible for unnecessary delays in completion of rate reviews, not public scrutiny.
"Consumer Watchdog has blocked insurance companies from overcharging homeowners, renters, drivers and health care providers by $5.5 billion over the last 21 years," said Carmen Balber, Executive Director of Consumer Watchdog.
"The goal of the opponents of public scrutiny and participation is to allow insurance companies to overcharge Californians.
Since Insurance Commissioner Lara took office, Consumer Watchdog's rate challenges have saved Californians $2.1 billion.

Consumer Advocacy Organizations Question Insurance Commissioner Role in Anti-Consumer Legislation

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水曜日, 1月 17, 2024

Consumer Federation of America, Life, Senate, Insurance, CFA, Ministry of Labour, IRA, National Association, CDI, Regulation, NAIC, Consumer, Organization, CFC, Security (finance), Financial adviser

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Jan. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumer organizations are publicly asking why California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara's Department of Insurance (CDI) is hurriedly attempting to get an anti-consumer bill passed. The bill in question would undermine a Biden Administration proposed federal rule that would enhance consumer protections by creating a so-called "fiduciary" standard where consumer interests are put in front of profits and huge commissions for complex investment products. The Biden Administration wants such a rule to govern retirement investment products, while CDI's sponsored bill, largely written by insurers, would keep consumers uninformed and vulnerable to being victimized by bad insurance sales practices.

Key Points:

Senator Bill Dodd's (D - Napa) Senate Bill 263, sponsored by CDI, was held by the Assembly Appropriations Committee due to significant concerns raised by consumer organizations such as the Consumer Federation of California (CFC), Life Insurance Consumer Advocacy Center (LICAC), the Consumer Federation of America (CFA) and United Policyholders (UP).
However, the bill in print is weaker than the NAIC model law, which was already laughably weak since it was written by life and annuity insurance companies.
"This bill started out as something that helps consumers, but now it is a Frankenstein monster largely written by the insurance industry.
The consumer groups, led by CFC and LICAC, want the bill to remain at the Assembly Appropriations Committee and for meaningful negotiations with consumer groups to immediately commence.

32 California House Representatives Express Concerns About Insurance Commissioner Lara's "Sustainable Insurance Strategy," Says Consumer Watchdog

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水曜日, 11月 8, 2023

Consumer Watchdog, Delegation, Insurance, Sale, Attention, Consumer Federation of America, Insurance commissioner, Multimedia, Commissioner, Representative, Democrat, Proposition 103, Health insurance, Whaling

WASHINGTON, Nov. 8, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Thirty-two members of California's Democratic Congressional Delegation wrote a letter to Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara this week expressing concern that a plan he announced in September would diminish the Insurance Commissioner's regulatory power and threaten the consumer protections established in insurance reform Proposition 103.

Key Points:

We believe it is important to keep California consumer interests at the forefront of your decision-making process.
Prop 103 made the Insurance Commissioner's office an elected post and Representative Garamendi was the first elected Commissioner in California.
Consumer Watchdog warned last week that the deregulation deal cut by Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara with the insurance industry will not expand access to affordable insurance for California homeowners or small businesses.
Documents uncovered by Consumer Watchdog through a public records request reveal that the quid pro quo for allowing insurance companies to plunder California – the insurance industry's "commitment" to resume the sale of insurance – is riddled with loopholes.

United States International Trade Commission Issues Exclusion Order for Infringing Apple Watches, Finding that Apple Violated U.S. Trade Laws

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金曜日, 10月 27, 2023

Masimo (NASDAQ: MASI) today announced that the United States International Trade Commission (USITC) has recommended a limited exclusion order for infringing Apple Watches with light-based pulse oximetry functionality.

Key Points:

Masimo (NASDAQ: MASI) today announced that the United States International Trade Commission (USITC) has recommended a limited exclusion order for infringing Apple Watches with light-based pulse oximetry functionality.
The USITC found that Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) violated U.S. laws by incorporating Masimo’s patented light-based pulse oximetry technology in its products.
The exclusion is scheduled to go into effect after a 60-day Presidential review period.
“This important determination is a strong validation of our efforts to hold Apple accountable for unlawfully misappropriating our patented technology,” added Mr. Kiani.

Consumer Watchdog Challenges Recidivist Mercury Insurance for Policyholder Price-Gouging, Discrimination and Deception

Retrieved on:

水曜日, 10月 11, 2023

Consumer Watchdog said its participation in the matter would focus on the company's violations of Proposition 103, the 1988 insurance reform initiative.

Key Points:

Consumer Watchdog said its participation in the matter would focus on the company's violations of Proposition 103, the 1988 insurance reform initiative.
Consumer Watchdog noted that Mercury had previously promised CDI it would stop many of these practices, which are unlawful under Proposition 103, but nevertheless continued to violate the law.
Mercury, as a repeat offender, must pay a steep price or no insurer will bother to obey the law.
Consumer Watchdog looks forward to working with CDI prosecutors to bring Mercury to justice – which we believe means barring Mercury from doing business in the state."

Leading Women Address "Rethinking Our Approach to Hunger" at National Food Policy Conference

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火曜日, 9月 12, 2023

WASHINGTON, Sept. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On September 12th, women leaders convene in Washington, D.C., to discuss "Rethinking Our Approach to Hunger," spotlighting the pressing issue of food and nutrition insecurity in the U.S. at the National Food Policy Conference during Hunger Action Month.

Key Points:

WASHINGTON, Sept. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On September 12th, women leaders convene in Washington, D.C., to discuss "Rethinking Our Approach to Hunger," spotlighting the pressing issue of food and nutrition insecurity in the U.S. at the National Food Policy Conference during Hunger Action Month.
An alarming 34 million Americans, including over 9 million children, grapple with food insecurity, leading to higher rates of diet-related diseases and developmental issues.
Thomas Gremillion of the Consumer Federation of America notes the discussion's timeliness amidst surging food prices and diminished hunger aid.
Rucha Gadre, Food Security Director of NJEDA highlights the economic roots of food insecurity, tying it to low wages and systemic barriers that disadvantage specific communities.

Garamendi, Nader, and SD Union Tribune Add Voices Against 11th Hour Insurance Bailout Legislation, Consumer Watchdog Urges Vigilance Until Monday Deadline

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金曜日, 9月 8, 2023

Insurance, The San Diego Union-Tribune, Left–right political spectrum, CDI, Legislature, Multimedia, History, Proposition 103, Outline, Consumer Watchdog, Capitol, Consumer Federation of America, Safety, Legislation, Cryptocurrency, Airline, Property insurance

"Until lawmakers and Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara say they are not going to pursue the insurance industry's billion-dollar bailout plan, California consumers must remain alert for an 11th hour smash and grab," Consumer Watchdog said.

Key Points:

"Until lawmakers and Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara say they are not going to pursue the insurance industry's billion-dollar bailout plan, California consumers must remain alert for an 11th hour smash and grab," Consumer Watchdog said.
A memo written by insurance lobbyist John Norwood , circulated Wednesday evening, asked legislators to back "the plan" endorsed by Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara.
Not a single consumer advocate or consumer advocacy group met with Lara in those months; written requests from Consumer Watchdog have been ignored.
The outline of the industry's proposal was published only a few weeks ago and its impact on consumers analyzed by Consumer Watchdog.

Consumer and Environmental Groups Locked Out of Secret Wildfire Insurance Deal Oppose 11th Hour Insurance Industry Bailout, Consumer Watchdog Says

Retrieved on:

木曜日, 9月 7, 2023

"Consumers must be at the table," wrote the groups, because news reports about the wildfire insurance deal "make clear the plan would raise rates dramatically and devastate Californians already struggling to pay their insurance bills."

Key Points:

"Consumers must be at the table," wrote the groups, because news reports about the wildfire insurance deal "make clear the plan would raise rates dramatically and devastate Californians already struggling to pay their insurance bills."
"We urge you to reject an end of session deal that would gut consumer protections and put policyholders on the hook for a multi-billion-dollar bailout of the insurance industry."
Consumer Watchdog has obtained a copy of a letter written by insurance lobbyist John Norwood asking legislators to back "the plan" endorsed by Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara.
"When politicians and Big Insurance negotiate behind closed doors, and consumer groups are actively barred from the room, consumers are going to lose," said Consumer Watchdog executive director Carmen Balber.