Consumer Watchdog

“Line 11a explanation -FORM 990 REVIEW PROCESS - THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE ORGANIZATION HAS ENGAGED AN INDEPENDENT CPA FIRM TO PREPARE THE ORGANIZATION'S ANNUAL INFORMATION RETURN, IRS FORM 990. THE PRESIDENT, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND OUTSIDE LEGAL COUNSEL REVIEW THE ORGANIZATION'S FORM 990 PRIOR TO FILING THE RETURN.”

“Conflict of interest policy - the board has an annual discussion of potential conflicts of interest that may arise at which time the president reiterates the obligation of directors to disclose any conflicts or potential conflicts as they arise. The executive director monitors all major financial transactions to ensure that no conflict involving a director, key employee or member of staff could arise.”

“The organization reviews the position compensation of similar organizations to evaluate reasonableness, and the independent members of the board determine the compensation of the president by vote.”

“Other organization documents publicly available - our financial statements are available upon request.”

“Pursuant to a resource allocation agreement, consumer watchdog shares overhead expenses and employees with the consumer watchdog campaign. Consumer watchdog serves as common paymaster for both entities. Therefore, in accordance with form 990 instructions, compensation allocable to consumer watchdog is reported in column (d), and compensation allocable to consumer watchdog campaign is reported in column (e).”

“Litigation - consumer watchdog (cwd) works to protect consumers in the courts and before administrative agencies. In 2015, cwd concluded several challenges to insurance rate change proposals saving california homeowners and motorists millions on their insurance. Cwd initiated or intervened in several proceedings at the california department of insurance related to excessive insurance rate change proposals. Cwd initiated litigation against unfair practices by life and auto insurance companies. Cwd initiated and continued litigation against several large health insurance companies to stop bait-and-switch marketing tactics such as misrepresentation of doctor and hospital networks, and to protect the health and privacy of hiv/aids patients. Cwd continued to prosecute litigation against the state to prevent improper disposal of toxic waste in california. In 2015, cwd was interviewed for and cited in approximately 30 news articles, radio & tv interviews related to ongoing litigation including in the miami herald, los angeles times, reuters, san jose mercury news and the associated press.”

“Corporate accountability, privacy & political reform consumer watchdog (cwd) educates the public about issues related to consumer rights, privacy and political reform, and cwd researches and informs the public about corporate involvement in the political process. In 2015, cwd was interviewed for and cited in approximately 320 news articles and radio & tv interviews related to these issues, including the toronto star, new york times, reuters, the washington post, oakland tribune, pittsburgh post gazette, ventura county star, the wall street journal, and the guardian (uk). Cwd joined consumer and privacy groups to educate the public and promote stronger digital privacy protections. Cwd educated the public about the privacy risks of emerging technologies and petitioned the nhtsa to set standards for automated technologies like the self-driving robot car. Cwd educated the public about the political influence and lobbying efforts of various industry giants in washington and sacramento, and sought to strengthen political reporting rules. Cwd exposed concerns regarding mergers and acquisitions by major internet and telecommunications companies.”

“Energy reform - consumer watchdog (cwd) investigates the regulation of companies generating and disposing of toxic waste, oversight of the utility industry, exposes manipulation of the oil markets, and fights for reliable, affordable and clean energy. In 2015, cwd was interviewed for and cited in approximately 220 news articles, radio & tv interviews related to these issues, including the la daily news, orange county register, politico, the hill, bloomberg, the los angeles times, the la daily news, and the associated press. Cwd educated the public about the impact of oil industry practices on gas prices and the environment, and revealed refiners' gas price gouging of california drivers in 2015. Cwd researched and reported on oversight and accountability for public utilities in california. Cwd educated the public about proposals to reduce emissions and address climate change.”

“Health care & insurance reform consumer watchdog (cwd) fights to protect patients from insurance abuses, to improve patient safety, and for universally available and affordable health care. In 2015, cwd was interviewed for and cited in approximately 75 news articles and radio & tv interviews related to these issues, including los angeles times, npr, san diego union tribune, san francisco chronicle, fresno bee, and the insurance journal. Cwd works to enforce and protect california's insurance reform proposition 103, which regulates most property/casualty insurance. Cwd educated the public about unreasonable health insurance rate hikes, the dangers of health industry mergers, and about health insurers' efforts to circumvent federal and state health care consumer protections. Cwd also promoted efforts to increase fairness and transparency in auto and homeowners insurance rates. Cwd continued to pursue a formal petition to the state insurance commissioner to stop auto insurance companies from secretly discriminating against customers based on occupation or educational level. Cwd educated the public about failures in medical oversight and patient safety regulations in california, and about reforming opioid overprescribing.”

“Expert witnesses: Program service expenses 100,978. Management and general expenses 0. Fundraising expenses 0. Total expenses 100,978. Outside services : Program service expenses 38,092. Management and general expenses 4,120. Fundraising expenses 1,627. Total expenses 43,839. Litigation co-counsel: Program service expenses 937,139. Management and general expenses 0. Fundraising expenses 0. Total expenses 937,139.”

“The process has not changed since the prior year.”