PROTECT CONSUMER JUSTICE.ORG

California doctors are complaining their medical malpractice insurance premiums are too high? It’s not because injured Californians seek compensation for their injuries. It’s because medical malpractice insurance companies haven’t lowered premiums anywhere near as quickly as their claims payments have dropped.

Bloomberg: The National Association of Insurance Commissioners tells consumers they may be better off taking the death benefit payments they are entitled to rather than letting insurance companies hold onto the money.

Bloomberg Markets reporter David Evans offers thorough details, after a six-month investigation, of how some insurance companies hold onto the death benefit unless requested by the beneficiary — even though the beneficiary is entitled to the entire amount right away — and those companies continue to earn interest on the benefit money until it is paid out. (UPDATE 7-29-10: New York attorney general begins investigation.)

Mary Salas concedes race to Juan Vargas in California Senate District 40 primary, a win for the insurance industry and other corporate interests that heavily invested in Vargas’s campaign.

An Assembly committee approves Padilla measure on a bipartisan vote, but lobbyists for hospitals and radiologists warn that provisions could put scare in patients who can be helped.

Tort-war front groups for big oil, insurance and tobacco get walloped on election day.

Well, here is heartening news — despite spending a combined $62 million, PG&E and Mercury Insurance’s bids to buy their own state initiatives went down in flames at the polls Tuesday.