Carmen Balber talks with Angela Asatrian, a social worker-turned filmmaker who wrote, directed and produced the new documentary Never Events about the medical malpractice crisis in America. Consumer Watchdog board member Tammy Smick, patient safety advocate Michele Monserratt-Ramos and allies Annette Ramirez and Bruce Brusavich are among those interviewed for the doc about their own medical negligence horro stories and the cap on compensation that prevents families from getting justice.

Consumer Watchdog Podcast

Never Events - A documentary to save your life

Following a 2019 pay-to-play scandal, California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara agreed to be transparent about its details. After a year and half of litigation over Public Records Act requests that are unanswered, Consumer Watchdog has found Lara in overt violation of the Public Records Act. Consumer Watchdog’s Litigation Director Jerry Flanagan discusses the case with President Jamie Court.

How Ricardo Lara Violated The Public Records Act

While the vast majority of Californians drove far less last year, most California insurance companies continued to charge pre-pandemic auto insurance rates, reaping a windfall of about $5.5 billion. Carmen Balber talks with Prop 103 author Harvey Rosenfield about how to get people their money back.

CA Drivers Overcharged $5.5 Billion for Insurance Last Year

Charles Johnson joins Carmen Balber for a Father’s Day discussion about the preventable loss of his wife Kira in childbirth. As Charles shares on Oprah’s Father’s Day Special, Honoring Our Kings, his responsibility to Kira and their two sons propelled him to fight the Black maternal death crisis and to restore equal justice for women of color – and all families – who lose a loved one to medical negligence.

On Father’s Day This Dad Fights for Justice

Does the California Medical Association own the state Senate? Legislation to make the Medical Board of California more accountable to patients harmed by negligent doctors was gutted this week because of doctor pressure after being in print for just one week. Carmen Balber talks with patient safety advocate Michele Monserratt-Ramos about new developments and patients’ demand for accountability.

Doctors’ Lobby Guts Doctor Accountability Law

You pay a deposit every time you buy a bottle or can, but how do you get it back? Liza Tucker talks with Nancy Hannickel about the disappearing act of recycling and return centers across California. They discuss how Senate Bill 38 will help restore recycling. 

Why Your Bottle Deposit Refund Is Missing And How SB 38 Gets It Back

Consumer Watchdog President Jamie Court and Energy Director Liza Tucker discuss how California needs to revoke Tesla’s carbon credits, which give it hundreds of millions of dollars in subsidies annually for zero emissions vehicles, if the company is going to invest in Bitcoin, whose carbon emissions dwarf any savings from the Tesla fleet.

Elon's Carbon Credit Bitcoin Hustle

Celebrating 30 years as the Bay Area’s leading consumer reporter Michael Finney has seen it all. Consumer Watchdog President Jamie Court talks with Michael about his experiences on KGO’s Seven On Your Side consumer beat.

Michael Finney’s 30 Years On Consumer’s Side

Gavin Newsom announced an historic ban on fracking, but what does it really mean? Consumer Watchdog President Jamie Court talks with environmental advocate Liza Tucker about the ban and what more is needed.

How Big A Deal Is California’s Fracking Ban?

Carmen Balber and Nourbese Flint, Executive Director of Black Women for Wellness Action Project, close out Black Maternal Health Week with a conversation about legislation to close racial maternal health disparities and improve birth outcomes for all moms in California.

Better Birth Outcomes for Black Mamas & Babies

When you go into the Dr you assume they are looking out for your best interest. But what if they are looking out for their bank account instead? Carmen Balber talks with Wendy Knecht to discuss California Bill AB1278

Informed Consent: Revealing Doctors’ Conflicts of Interest

With California greatly expanding COVID vaccine eligibility in April, Carmen Balber sits down with Anthony Wright of Health Access for tips on how, why and where you can get vaccinated, and a reminder that the program is free for everyone.

Your COVID Vaccination Questions Answered

For Women’s History Month, Carmen Balber discusses the fight to get women represented in the halls of power with Val McGinty, founder and president of FundHer, the first PAC dedicated to winning gender parity in state legislatures.

When Women make the Rules

Jamie Court and Mike Mattoch talk with veteran press agent and San Francisco legend Lee Houskeeper about Gavin Newsom’s recall and what it means for California political opportunities in 2021.

What Newsom’s Recall Means For California

Carmen Balber and the Center for Public Interest Law’s Bridget Gramme discuss needed reforms of the Medical Board of California that is failing to protect patient safety. Among their top recommendations: Add public members to the Board that’s currently controlled by doctors.

Public, Not Doctors, Should Oversee Doctors

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Consumer Watchdog Podcast

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