Jamie Court

Last updated

Jamie Court
Jamie Court, President of Consumer Watchdog.jpg
BornJamie Court
(1967-04-28) April 28, 1967 (age 57)
Suffern, New York, U.S.
Occupation Author, political activist, consumer advocate
Education Pomona College
Genre Activism
Politics
Healthcare
Website
consumerwatchdog.org

Jamie Court (born 1967) is an American author, political activist, lobbyist, and consumer advocate. He serves as president of Consumer Watchdog, a nationally recognized, leftist, nonprofit public interest group. [1]

Contents

Court helped pioneer the HMO patients' rights movement in the United States. He has also led campaigns to reform insurers, politicians, banks, oil companies, and utilities. The Los Angeles Times dubbed Court "a tireless consumer advocate." [2]

Court is the author of Corporateering: How Corporate Power Steals Your Personal Freedom [3] and the co-author of Making A Killing: HMOs And The Threat To Your Health. His newest book, The Progressive's Guide to Raising Hell: How To Win Grassroots Campaigns and Get the Change You Voted For was released September 15, 2010. [4]

Court is also a regular Los Angeles Times op-ed contributor and a commentator on National Public Radio's Marketplace . [5] [6]

Early career and education

Originally from Suffern, New York, Court attended Pomona College in Claremont, California and earned a degree in history. [2] Upon graduation in 1989, Court canvassed door-to-door to raise money for the enforcement of insurance reform ballot initiative California Proposition 103, which passed on November 8, 1988. [2] [7]

From 1990 to 1994, in the wake of President Clinton's welfare reform plan, Court worked as a homeless advocate and community organizer for an interfaith lobbying group called JERICHO and as the associate director of Harbor Interfaith Shelter. [2] [4]

During this period, Court began pioneering the unusual activism tactics he became known for later in life. For example, in an effort to save public assistance programs in Los Angeles County, Court bussed hundreds of homeless people from skid row and signed each of them up for the two-minute public comment, required by law, to talk about their plight and how the city's cuts would affect them. [8]

Consumer Watchdog

In 1994, Court joined fellow consumer activist and Proposition 103 author Harvey Rosenfield to build Consumer Watchdog then known as the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights. Consumer Watchdog named Court president of the organization in 2003.

HMO patients' rights

Court began his career at Consumer Watchdog as the head of Californians for Quality Care, working to reform the HMO system in the state. Here his theatrical style of muckraking matured. For example, during a legislative meeting in Sacramento, Court and his team placed a red herring on the table to signify that the proposed HMO reform was a deliberate attempt to divert attention. [2]

He also created a daily "HMO casualty of the day," where he faxed patient faces and stories to lawmakers to show how HMOs were hurting citizens of the state. [9] [10]

Court's pioneering work for HMO patients' rights made Consumer Watchdog a national voice in the HMO reform debate. In 1996, Court worked with Rosenfield and the California Nurses Association to have a first patients' bill of rights proposition placed on the California ballot. [11] However, Proposition 216 failed to pass garnering only 38.7% of the vote. [12] [13]

In 1998, Consumer Watchdog advocated for legislation, ultimately signed into law by California Governor Gray Davis, to extend broad need rights to HMO patients. [13] To bring attention to the issue, Court dumped a truck load of pinto beans at an HMO industry conference to point out Consumer Watchdog's opposition to HMO "bean counters" overriding doctors' decisions. [14] Most of the legislative package passed with the help of the California Nurses Association in November 1998. [13]

After California had the strongest HMO patient protection laws in America. Many of the provisions of California's bill were included in the national U.S. Patients' Bill of Rights Act, which passed Congress in 2001. [13]

Financial Privacy

Court fought for financial privacy legislation in 2002. The legislation, which required consumers to opt in before financial services companies shared their personal information with other companies, had public support, but lawmakers wouldn't move it forward. Court wanted to expose how much personal information was for sale on the Internet for a relatively cheap price. To prove his point, Court published the partial social security numbers legislators opposed to financial privacy on his website. As a result of his tactics, and the signature gathering help of e-loan's Chris Larsen, Governor Davis signed the "country's toughest financial privacy legislation." [15] [16]

Arnold Watch

In 2003, Court launched Arnold Watch to expose Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's ties to special interests. Consumer Watchdog also targeted four Schwarzenegger-backed proposition on the ballot in a special election in 2005. Specifically, Proposition 74, which would have lengthened the time it takes for teachers to get tenure, Proposition 75, which would have limited public employee unions' political spending, Proposition 76, which would have limited California's spending and Proposition 77, which would have removed lawmakers ability to redistrict the state. Consumer Watchdog's grassroots efforts lead to the defeat of the propositions and changed Schwarzenegger's governorship. [17]

Oil Watchdog

In 2005, Court helped create Oil Watchdog, a subgroup of Consumer Watchdog tasked to "expose about the profiteering, power, and unscrupulous practices of the oil industry." [18] He worked to bring attention to Proposition 87, a "$4 billion program with goal to reduce petroleum consumption by 25%, with research and production incentives for alternative energy, alternative energy vehicles, energy efficient technologies, and for education and training", funded by a "tax of 1.5% to 6% (depending on oil price per barrel) on producers of oil extracted in California." [19] The proposition was voted down by the voters, 54.7% opposed to 45.3% in favor. [20]

Insurance reform

During 2010, Court and his team fought Proposition 17, a $16 million attempt by Mercury Insurance Group to repeal a key provision of Proposition 103. Consumer Watchdog and its sister organization the Campaign for Consumer Rights "argued that the measure would have allowed Mercury and other companies to impose surcharges of as much as $1,000 on drivers who have not had continuous coverage." To raise awareness of the fact that an insurance company was trying to hide its sponsorship of Proposition 17, and its CEO was afraid to debate the merits of the proposal in public, the group sent a man in a chicken suit to legislative hearings on the measure. [21] The group was outspent 12-to-1, but the measure was defeated on June 8, 2010. [22]

Inside Google

Court works closely with John Simpson on Consumer Watchdog's Inside Google project. Funded by the Rose Foundation, Inside Google's goal is to educate the general public "about the need for greater online privacy, and to hold Google accountable for tracking consumers online without explicit permission and for exhibiting its monopolistic power in dangerous ways." [23]

In 2010, to bring attention to Google's privacy issues, Consumer Watchdog checked networks in California Representative Jane Harman's home to see if her unencrypted Wi-Fi network might have been tapped when the company captured images for the Google Streetview service of Google Maps. [24]

Also in 2010, the group created a cartoon video of Google CEO Eric Schmidt as an ice-cream truck driver interested in gathering data about the children on his route. The video aired in Times Square and received media attention. [25]

Because of Consumer Watchdog's work, Google allegedly tried to influence the Rose Foundation to halt funding for Inside Google. [26]

Controversy

In 2011, Court's tactics attacking legislators, described as "Keystone Kops" tactics, were publicly criticized. These tactics included launching a TV ad against a state senator. [27]

In 2017, a Los Angeles Times investigation found that Court and Consumer Watchdog do not disclose contributions to their nonprofit organization, raising questions about certain actions the group has taken. [28]

In 2023, a Politico article described Court's recent successes with Governor Gavin Newsom's Administration, having "chalked up some significant policy wins as the costs of climate change have started hitting people’s pocketbooks," and noted criticism that he had been previously been tagged a "complainer for hire." [29]

Consumer Watchdog's staff receive salaries and compensation far above those of other nonprofits. In 2022, IRS filings showed that Jamie Court received more than $400,000 in compensation. [30]

Works

Making a Killing

Published in 1999 by Common Courage Press, Court, with co-author Francis Smith, wrote Making a Killing: HMOs and the Threat to Your Health. The book presents case histories of Americans who have been hurt by the HMO industry. As well, the book suggests ways the HMO system could be more beneficial to consumers. [31] [32] Ralph Nader called the book "a gripping story of excessive power without restraint that comes down hard on powerless and defenseless people. [33]

Corporateering

Corporateering: How Corporate Power Steals Your Personal Freedom…And What You Can Do About It was published by Tarcher Putnam in 2003. The book's premise is that corporations rob consumers of personal freedoms. Court outlines strategies to reverse the damage. [34] The Associated Press called the book "A thought-provoking look at the condition of American society." [35]

The Progressive's Guide to Raising Hell

Court's newest book, The Progressive's Guide to Raising Hell: How to Wage Winning Campaigns, Pass Ballot Box Laws and Get the Change We Vote For was released September 15, 2010 by Chelsea Green Publishing. [36]

Awards

Personal

Court is married to a civil rights attorney. The couple live in Los Angeles with two young children. [2]

See also

Related Research Articles

In the United States, a health maintenance organization (HMO) is a medical insurance group that provides health services for a fixed annual fee. It is an organization that provides or arranges managed care for health insurance, self-funded health care benefit plans, individuals, and other entities, acting as a liaison with health care providers on a prepaid basis. The US Health Maintenance Organization Act of 1973 required employers with 25 or more employees to offer federally certified HMO options if the employer offers traditional healthcare options. Unlike traditional indemnity insurance, an HMO covers care rendered by those doctors and other professionals who have agreed by contract to treat patients in accordance with the HMO's guidelines and restrictions in exchange for a steady stream of customers. HMOs cover emergency care regardless of the health care provider's contracted status.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Hatch</span> American politician

Michael Alan Hatch is an American politician and lawyer. He was the Attorney General of Minnesota from 1999 to 2007, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Commerce from 1983 to 1989, and chair of the Minnesota DFL Party from 1980 to 1983.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1964 California Proposition 14</span> Referendum on housing discrimination

California Proposition 14 was a November 1964 initiative ballot measure that amended the California state constitution to nullify the 1963 Rumford Fair Housing Act, thereby allowing property sellers, landlords and their agents to openly discriminate on ethnic grounds when selling or letting accommodations, as they had been permitted to before 1963. The proposition became law after receiving support from 65% of voters. In 1966, the California Supreme Court in a 5–2 split decision declared Proposition 14 unconstitutional under the equal protection clause of the United States Constitution. The U.S. Supreme Court affirmed that decision in 1967 in Reitman v. Mulkey.

The Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act (MICRA) of 1975 was a statute enacted by the California Legislature in September 1975 (and signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown in September), which was intended to lower medical malpractice liability insurance premiums for healthcare providers in that state by decreasing their potential tort liability.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2006 California Proposition 87</span>

California Proposition 87 was a proposition on the ballot for California voters for the November 7, 2006 general election, officially titled Alternative Energy. Research, Production, Incentives. Tax on California Oil Producers. It was rejected by the voters, 54.7% opposed to 45.3% in favor. This was highest-funded campaign on any state ballot and surpassing every campaign in the country in spending except the presidential contest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 California Proposition 8</span> Successful referendum on banning same-sex marriage

Proposition 8, known informally as Prop 8, was a California ballot proposition and a state constitutional amendment intended to ban same-sex marriage; it passed in the November 2008 California state elections and was later overturned in court. The proposition was created by opponents of same-sex marriage in advance of the California Supreme Court's May 2008 appeal ruling, In re Marriage Cases, which followed the short-lived 2004 same-sex weddings controversy and found the previous ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional. Proposition 8 was ultimately ruled unconstitutional by a federal court in 2010, although the court decision did not go into effect until June 26, 2013, following the conclusion of proponents' appeals.

Consumer Watchdog is a non-profit, progressive organization which advocates for taxpayer and consumer interests, with a focus on insurance, health care, political reform, privacy and energy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010 California Proposition 23</span> Referendum on environmental regulations

Proposition 23 was a California ballot proposition that was on the November 2, 2010 California statewide ballot. It was defeated by California voters during the statewide election by a 23% margin. If passed, it would have suspended AB 32, a law enacted in 2006, legally referred to its long name, the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006. Sponsors of the initiative referred to their measure as the California Jobs Initiative while opponents called it the Dirty Energy Prop.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Simpson (journalist/consumer advocate)</span> American consumer rights advocate and former journalist

John M. Simpson is an American consumer rights advocate and former journalist. Since 2005, he has worked for Consumer Watchdog, a nonpartisan nonprofit public interest group, as the lead researcher on Inside Google, the group's effort to educate the public about Google's dominance over the internet and the need for greater online privacy and as director of the organization's Stem Cell Oversight and Accountability Project to ensure that California’s stem cell program, created by Proposition 71, served the interest of voters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harvey Rosenfield</span> American lawyer

Harvey Rosenfield is an American lawyer, author and consumer advocate. In 1985, he founded Consumer Watchdog, a nationally recognized, nonpartisan nonprofit public interest group. He serves as the group's counsel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elevance Health</span> American healthcare company

Elevance Health, Inc. is an American health insurance provider. Prior to June 2022, Elevance Health was named Anthem, Inc. The company's services include medical, pharmaceutical, dental, behavioral health, long-term care, and disability plans through affiliated companies such as Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Anthem Blue Cross in California, Wellpoint, and Carelon. It is the largest for-profit managed health care company in the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. As of 2022, the company had 46.8 million members within its affiliated companies' health plans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jim Steyer</span> American attorney

James Pearson Steyer is an American civil rights attorney, professor, and author. He founded Common Sense Media, an organization that "provides education and advocacy to families to promote safe technology and media for children."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ed Howard (lawyer)</span> American lawyer

Ed Howard, is an American public interest lawyer and strategist who currently works as senior counsel for the Children's Advocacy Institute and the Center for Public Interest Law based at the University of San Diego School of Law. He is currently the president of Howard Advocacy in Sacramento, California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 California elections</span>

The California state elections in 2020 were held on Tuesday, November 3, 2020. Unlike previous election cycles, the primary elections were held on Super Tuesday, March 3, 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1988 California Proposition 103</span> Ballot initiative for insurance rate adjustments

California voters passed Proposition 103 on November 8, 1988. It in effect made insurance companies require "prior approval" from the California Department of Insurance before implementing property and casualty insurance rates. It passed with 51% of the vote.

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) is a state statute intended to enhance privacy rights and consumer protection for residents of the state of California in the United States. The bill was passed by the California State Legislature and signed into law by the Governor of California, Jerry Brown, on June 28, 2018, to amend Part 4 of Division 3 of the California Civil Code. Officially called AB-375, the act was introduced by Ed Chau, member of the California State Assembly, and State Senator Robert Hertzberg.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 California Proposition 22</span> Gig economy workers employment status ballot initiative

Proposition 22 was a ballot initiative in California that became law after the November 2020 state election, passing with 59% of the vote and granting app-based transportation and delivery companies an exception to Assembly Bill 5 by classifying their drivers as "independent contractors", rather than "employees". The law exempts employers from providing the full suite of mandated employee benefits while instead giving drivers new protections:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">California Privacy Rights Act</span> Privacy and data protection law in California, U.S.

The California Privacy Rights Act of 2020 (CPRA), also known as Proposition 24, is a California ballot proposition that was approved by a majority of voters after appearing on the ballot for the general election on November 3, 2020. This proposition expands California's consumer privacy law and builds upon the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) of 2018, which established a foundation for consumer privacy regulations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 California Proposition 1</span> Successful referendum on enshrining reproductive rights in the state constitution

Proposition 1, titled Constitutional Right to Reproductive Freedom and initially known as Senate Constitutional Amendment 10 (SCA 10), was a California ballot proposition and state constitutional amendment that was voted on in the 2022 general election on November 8. Passing with more than two-thirds of the vote, the proposition amended the Constitution of California to explicitly grant the right to an abortion and contraceptives, making California among the first states in the nation to codify the right. The decision to propose the codification of abortion rights in the state constitution was precipitated in May 2022 by Politico's publishing of a leaked draft opinion showing the United States Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. The decision reversed judicial precedent that previously held that the United States Constitution protected the right to an abortion.

Proposition 45, also known as Prop 45 and the Insurance Rate Public Justification and Accountability Act, was a California ballot proposition that required any health insurance rate change to be approved by the state's Insurance Commissioner before it goes into effect. It failed in the November 2014 California elections. Insurance companies would be required to submit information to justify their rate change. The proposition also would have put in place procedures for public notice, disclosure, hearing, and subsequent judicial review for the process of the rate change being approved. The proposition was similar to 1988 California Proposition 103, in that it imposed the same things on health care insurers that the 1988 proposition imposed on homeowners insurance and automobile insurance. Sponsors of the proposition had originally tried to get the proposition on the November 2012 California election ballot and turned in over 800,000 signatures on May 18, 2012. On June 28, 2012, it was determined that there would not be enough time to confirm the validity of the signatures in time for the November election. It was announced on August 23, 2012 that the measure would be on the November 2014 ballot. The proposition was supported by Dianne Feinstein, Barbara Boxer, CREDO Action and Dennis Quaid. Opponents of the measure include the California Republican Party, California Hospital Association, NAACP California, California Chamber of Commerce and California Medical Association.

References

  1. ↑ Nicholas, Peter (July 7, 2003). "Lobbyist's Guerrrilla Tactics Get Attention". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 10, 2010.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Nicholas, Peter (July 7, 2003). "Lobbyist's Guerrrilla Tactics Get Attention". Los Angeles Times. p. 3. Retrieved August 10, 2010.
  3. ↑ Barrington Salmon (September 9, 2003). "Fighting Corporate America". USA Today.
  4. 1 2 "About | Consumer Watchdog".
  5. ↑ Rovner, Julie. "Health Insurance Changes Come Too Late For Some". NPR.org. National Public Radio. Retrieved December 10, 2010.
  6. ↑ "Our Team | Consumer Watchdog".
  7. ↑ "About us: Provisions of Proposition 103 Affecting the Rate Regulation Division". California Department of Insurance. Retrieved August 10, 2010.
  8. ↑ Benson, Michael (April 21, 1999). "Some Insurance Activists Turn the Actuarial Tables". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved August 10, 2010.[ permanent dead link ]
  9. ↑ "California Proposition 216, Taxes on Healthcare Businesses (1996)".
  10. ↑ "WHO'S WHO---Local Forces Playing Key Roles in Patient Rights Issue". Los Angeles Business Journal. July 16, 2001. Retrieved August 10, 2010.[ permanent dead link ]
  11. ↑ "Summaries of November 5, 1996 Ballot Propositions". Archived from the original on July 4, 2010. Retrieved December 11, 2010.
  12. ↑ "California Proposition 216, Taxes on Healthcare Businesses (1996)".
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Los Angeles Business Journal, p. 1
  14. ↑ Benson, p1
  15. ↑ Sample, Herbert (August 23, 2003). "Governor signs privacy measure". Sacramento Bee.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
  16. ↑ Nicholas, p1
  17. ↑ Martin, Mark (August 23, 2003). "The Special Election / Californians Say No To Schwazenegger / State Measures: Governor reaches out, doesn't concede". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved August 10, 2010.
  18. ↑ "Oil Watchdog: Articles". www.oilwatchdog.org. Archived from the original on May 16, 2007. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
  19. ↑ Official title and summary Archived June 14, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  20. ↑ "Prop. 87 shot down throughout state - except along coast". November 8, 2006.
  21. ↑ Joseph, Brian (March 24, 2010). "Consumer advocates cry fowl over initiative". Orange County Register. Archived from the original on August 31, 2011. Retrieved June 10, 2010.
  22. ↑ Berton, Justin (August 23, 2003). "Voters defeat insurance measure". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved June 10, 2010.
  23. ↑ "About – Inside Google".
  24. ↑ Kravets, David (July 9, 2010). "Consumer Group Sniffs Congresswoman's Open Wi-Fi". Wired. Retrieved August 10, 2010.
  25. ↑ Krazit, Tom (October 3, 2010). "An inside look at Google's loudest critic". CNET. Retrieved December 10, 2010.
  26. ↑ Kang, p2
  27. ↑ Gorn, David (September 26, 2011). "Hernandez Attacked in TV Ad". California Healthline. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  28. ↑ Myers, John (December 15, 2017). "For a prominent California consumer group and savvy political consultants, documents reveal a close financial relationship". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  29. ↑ "Jamie Court's tactics are finally working". POLITICO. October 19, 2023. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  30. ↑ "Registry of Charities and Fundraisers". State of California Department of Justice. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  31. ↑ "Making a Killing". Publishers Weekly. November 22, 1999.
  32. ↑ Nicholas, Peter (February 28, 2000). "HMO Story Is Thorough but Dated". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 10, 2010.
  33. ↑ "Making a Killing - HMOs and the Threat to Your Health".
  34. ↑ Merle Rubin (July 16, 2004). "How the corporate big picture affects the little guy". Los Angeles Times.
  35. ↑ "Corporateering: How Corporate Power Steals Your Personal Freedom - and What You Can do About It".
  36. ↑ "The Progressive's Guide to Raising Hell by Jamie Court – Chelsea Green Publishing". May 2, 2018.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.