Aetna gets OK to hike rates on individual health policies in California

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The increase will average 19% and will take effect Oct. 1 along with double-digit hikes by Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of California and Health Net that also had been reviewed by the Department of Insurance. More than 1 million Californians will see their health insurance premiums rise Oct. 1 now that regulators have wrapped up their review of a plan by Aetna Inc. to raise rates an average of 19% for 65,000 individual policyholders.
Los Angeles TImes

Children’s Hospital Oakland RNs Authorize Strike, Cite Management Demands to Slash Healthcare Bene

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Registered nurses from Children’s Hospital Oakland, voted overwhelmingly this week to authorize their nurse negotiators to call a three-day strike if necessary to protest ongoing management efforts to sharply reduce healthcare coverage for nurses and their families. No date has been set for a strike, and additional contract talks are scheduled over the next two weeks.
Press Release
Nov 23, 2010

What They Could Be Saying to the Joe Miller Republicans

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Republican candidates from coast to coast are fond of branding their opponents the Nancy Pelosi Democrats. Maybe it's time to talk about the Joe Miller Republicans. Miller is the Sarah Palin-backed Republican candidate for U.S. Senate from Alaska who toppled incumbent Republican Lisa Murkowski because she was not conservative enough. Miller gained notoriety, in part, by proposing elimination of two of the most popular reforms in U.S. history, Social Security and Medicare, and calling unemployment insurance "unconstitutional".
Huffington Post

Wall Street sees a reliable partner in Whitman

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Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman was leading a triumphant rally at the state GOP convention last month when she announced that New Yorkers were excited about the California governor's race. At a fundraiser she held in New York, Whitman said she met with people who "have suffered the financial reforms that are going to crimp our ability to raise capital, and they want California to turn the corner."
Sacramento Bee

California regulators seek up to $9.9 billion in fines from PacifiCare

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California regulators are seeking fines of up to $9.9 billion from health insurer PacifiCare over allegations that it repeatedly mismanaged medical claims, lost thousands of patient documents, failed to pay doctors what they were owed and ignored calls to fix the problems.
Los Angeles TImes

Queen Meg & Princess Carly Prepare to Celebrate Labor Day Events Throughout the State

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Just days after leading thousands of people in a Sacramento march celebrating women’s right to vote, and decrying those politicians who dishonor it, the California Nurses Association/National Nurses United today announces that Labor Day festivities across the state will feature both Queen Meg and Princess Carly, the two satirical figures lampooning the Republican nominees for governor and senator.
Press Release
Nov 23, 2010

Whitman attacks nurses in Kos ad

Submitted by oldAdministrator on
Kos readers in California may have been startled to see banner ads today from someone who you can bet does not start out her mornings booting up her computer to read the latest blogs on Kos -- Meg Whitman. In one large ad, Whitman attacks nurses and the California Nurses Association for our challenge to her candidacy -- and our portrayal of her as the arrogant "Queen Meg." The ad links to a website her well-heeled consultants have created attacking CNA and nurses, recycling the greatest hits from the union busting crowd. She also has another ad on Kos attacking Jerry Brown.
DailyKOS.com

Princess Carly Prepares for Debate Debut Wednesday, Queen Meg to Tour State’s Labor Day Celebratio

Submitted by oldAdministrator on
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Just days after leading thousands of people in a Sacramento march celebrating women's right to vote, and decrying those politicians who dishonor it, the California Nurses Association/National Nurses United today announces the general election campaign debuts of Queen Meg and Princess Carly, two satirical figures lampooning the Republican nominees for governor and senator.
Press Release\
Nov 23, 2010

Sen. Bernie Sanders says "Hands off Social Security"

Submitted by oldAdministrator on
By Sen. Bernie Sanders: The White House deficit commission is reportedly considering deep benefit cuts for Social Security, including a steep rise in the retirement age. We cannot let that happen. The deficit and our $13 trillion national debt are serious problems that must be addressed. But we can — and must — address them without punishing America’s workers, senior citizens, the disabled, widows and orphans.
Politico