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ATLANTA, GA 30303

of any amount to Georgia Watch today is money well spent. well money is today Watch Georgia to amount any of

We’re excited about what we’ve accomplished and what lies ahead – but we can’t do it alone. A tax-deductible contribution contribution tax-deductible A alone. it do can’t we but – ahead lies what and accomplished we’ve what about excited We’re

Georgia consumers. Georgia

Through generous tax-deductible contributions from our members, we are able to grow, and so does our ability to help help to ability our does so and grow, to able are we members, our from contributions tax-deductible generous Through

by powerful interest groups at the State Capitol. Capitol. State the at groups interest powerful by

We work to raise these same issues with the media and state offi state and media the with issues same these raise to work We cials every day, and guard against attacks on your rights rights your on attacks against guard and day, every cials

ordable health care and other threats to our families and our way of life. life. of way our and families our to threats other and care health ordable aff to access rates, infection hospital

today. Georgia Watch is doing more than ever to help you learn about and avoid insurance scams, predatory lenders, lenders, predatory scams, insurance avoid and about learn you help to ever than more doing is Watch Georgia today.

Help us celebrate us Help fth year as the state’s leading consumer watchdog by contributing to Georgia Watch Watch Georgia to contributing by watchdog consumer leading state’s the as year fth fi our

Help us celebrate our seventh year as the state’s leading consumer watchdog by contributing to Georgia Watch today. Georgia Watch is doing more than ever to help you access aff ordable health care and insurance and avoid scams, predatory lenders, hospital infections, identity theft and other threats to our families and our way of life. We work to raise these same issues with the media and state offi cials every day, and guard against attacks on your rights by powerful interest groups at the State Capitol. Through generous tax-deductible contributions from our members, we are able to grow, as does our ability to help Georgia consumers. We’re excited about what we’ve accomplished and what lies ahead – but we can’t do it alone. A tax-deductible contribution of any amount to Georgia Watch today is money well spent.

FOR QUESTIONS is OUTSPOKEN REGARDING ALLISON WALL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Already in 2009, Georgia Watch employees ANGELA SPEIR DEPUTY DIRECTOR have made consumer presentations to: DANNY ORROCK POLICY MANAGER • Rotary Clubs of Coweta, Fayette, Meriwether, Dekalb and Polk Counties , East Roswell and Peachtree City . HOLLY LANG HOSPITAL ACCOUNTABILITY CONTACT US BY •Savannah Lions Club PROJECT MANAGER PHONE AT • Various NPUs-D, F, G, H, K, J, P JEANNINE MALONE GRASSROOTS COORDINATOR (866) 33-WATCH • Druid Hills Kawanis Club BETH MALONE COMMUNICATIONS OR BY EMAIL AT • American Legion #911 COORDINATOR GEORGIAWATCH@ You too can book Georgia Watch MIKE RODGERS COURT WATCH FELLOW GEORGIAWATCH.ORG for a speaking engagement by calling (866) 33-WATCH! theWATCHER www.georgiawatch.org

THE NEWSLETTER OF THE STATE’S LEADING CONSUMER WATCHDOG VOL. IX, SUMMER 2009 UNINSURED OR UNDERINSURED IN METRO ATL? MORE GOOD NEWS... GEORGIA WATCH’S HAP CAN HELP! THE CONSUMER ENERGY By Holly Lang of consumers who are uninsured PROGRAM Georgia Watch launched a new or who have insurance with high By Beth Malone and project this year to help expand deductibles or poor coverage. Angela Speir Phelps access to affordable health care Anonymous responses to the I for uninsured and underinsured surveys will be published in a report consumers in the Atlanta area. next January. The Metropolitan Atlanta Hospital In the coming months, HAP staff Accountability Project – or HAP and volunteers will visit Atlanta’s – examines challenges that low- hospitals, checking that financial income, uninsured and underinsured policies are clear and provided in patients face by talking to consumers languages that are appropriate for In January, former Public Service throughout the metro area, and by their patients, such as Spanish and Commissioner Angela Speir joined analyzing the financial aid policies Vietnamese. We’ll determine how Georgia Watch as deputy director and at for-profit and nonprofit hospitals. much free or low-cost care each senior director of the organization’s HAP also looks at state laws that hospital provides and the process new Consumer Energy Program. require hospitals to give free or low- for accessing it. With Speir at the reins, the new cost care to the state’s uninsured We’ll educate Georgians on how program researches and develops and underinsured consumers, hospitals and consumers use the positions on legislative and suggesting policy improvements. Indigent Care Trust Fund (ICTF), a regulatory proposals that affect state-sponsored program that pays the cost of energy, including the hospitals to offer health care to low- financing of new power plants, Over 1.5 million income people. Most hospitals, both energy efficiency and renewable Georgians, or 18 for-profit and nonprofit participate, energy technology. percent of the to some degree, in ICTF. During the 2009 General Assembly, state’s residents, HAP and its partners will use all this the program helped develop Georgia have no health Watch’s consumer arguments insurance. information, gathered from patients and hospitals, to develop a list of against Senate Bill 31, Georgia And countless Power’s pre-payment scheme for others remain best practices and make public policy recommendations. financing two new nuclear reactors underisnured. at Plant Vogtle, near Augusta. This new project of Georgia Watch is funded by a two-year grant and Called Construction Work in Progress In February 2009, the state includes partnerships with the (CWIP), SB 31 will eventually Department of Labor announced Concerned Black Clergy, Atlanta cost consumers $2 billion, with 75 that 120,139 laid-off workers filed Legal Aid, Georgia Budget and Policy percent of that going straight to first-time claims for unemployment Institute, WonderRoot and Georgia Georgia Power as early profit and insurance benefits – an 81 percent Legal Services program.There are new taxes. increase over January 2008. many volunteer opportunities with In a guest column for the Atlanta This means that even more of HAP, including consumer surveying. Journal-Constitution, Speir the state’s consumers will face expressed her disappointment in mounting health care costs as they the Public Service Commission’s too become uninsured. For more information, please (PSC) vote to give Georgia Power contact Hospital Accountability Through HAP, Georgia Watch and the green light for the financing Project Manager Holly Lang at its partners are conducting surveys scheme. [email protected].

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 1 funding cuts. As a result, residential “Georgia Power, in sworn customers and small businesses testimony, stated that CWIP have no representation in the billion FACT BOX: does not save ratepayers dollar cases coming before the PSC. money,” Speir wrote in the Large corporations and utilities D.I.Y. HOME ENERGY March 29th article. remain protected but, without the CUC, the average person no longer MONEY-SAVERS “The [PSC’s own staff] has a voice at the commission. advised that the [PSC] LOCATE AIR LEAKS could implement a less “I truly hope Georgia Watch’s oppressive form of CWIP energy program will fill the void that later, which would have the elimination of the CUC left,” Fixing a drafty home can save 5 to 30 been a better alternative Speir said. “We’ll work to protect percent on electric bills every year! Georgians by ensuring fairness, for ratepayers. But four [of To find leaks, close all windows and doors, transparency and accountability. the five]“Georgia commissioners Power, in sworn turn on exhaust fans in bathrooms and the We’ll also ensure that stimulus decided testimony,to go against stated the that CWIP kitchen. Walk through your house being money coming to Georgia for energy advice.” does not save ratepayers mindful to listen for and feel out breezes. programs and weatherization is money on a net present value Seal any gaps with an expanding foam being spent prudently.” The PSC certifiedbasis,” the Speir cost wroteof the in the caulk or other permanent sealant. nuclear expansionMarch and passed 29th CWIP article. The federal stimulus package will Likely leaky culprits: in March, without“The implementing[PSC’s own the publicprovide $130 million to Georgia • Electrical outlets (2%) consumer safeguardsinterest recomendedadvocacy staff]for weatherization assistance by their own staff.advised that the [PSC]programs, including attic and • Vents (4%) Much like couldthe Georgiaimplement Power a basementless insulation, reduction of air • Window frames (10%) financing scheme,oppressive other upcomingform of CWIPleakage and heating system repairs • Doors (11%) or replacement. PSC cases maylater, have whicha huge impactwould have • Plumbing (13%) on our families, businesses and the The Consumer Energy Program will • Fireplace (14%) state’s economy. Speir is working provide one-on-one instruction on • Ducts (15%) to raise awareness across the state easy ways to lower utility bills and to encourage consumers to fight for save energy on a daily basis. • Floors, ceilings, walls (31%) fair rates and efficiency. “Turn off the computer or TV when “A major point of the Consumer you’re not using it, set your thermostat INSULATION Energy Program is a ground-level a few degrees higher in the summer Homes built before 1980 may have campaign to emphasize cases that or purchase a programmable one, inadequate insulation. will come before the commission use compact fluorescent lights Aside from walls, floors and foundation, that will impact all of us,” Speir said. instead of incandescent bulbs,” your water heater, hot water pipes and “Cases such as the $800 million Speir said. “All of these things – furnace ducts should all be insulated with dollar fuel case that will be filed in weatherization, behavioral changes fiberglass insulation. upcoming months, the Atlanta Gas and energy efficient products – help Light Company rate case that will be mitigate increasing energy costs by filed this fall and the Georgia Power lowering consumption.” LIGHTING rate case and Integrated Resource The Consumer Energy Program will Plan, which will both be filed next Energy for lighting create a credible consumer voice year.” accounts for on energy issues by raising public about 10 percent Georgia Watch“Georgia will Power,also bein swornawareness, encouraging consumer of your electric publishing a testimony,PSC vote reference stated that to CWIPparticipation in the rate process, and bill. Examine publicize the doesvoting recordsnot save of every ratepayers by holding elected representatives wattage size of commissioner.money on a net present accountable.value light bulbs in your “This will helpbasis,” you get Speir to know wrote your in“We’ll the fight for Georgia families, both house. You may elected officials,” MarchSpeir said. 29th “Who article. yours and mine,” Speir said. “We’ll have 100W bulbs where 60 or 75W would are the people“The making [PSC’s decisions own publicdemand fair rates, more energy do. Consider compact fluorescent lights about energyinterest in Georgia advocacy and how staff]efficiency and resource diversity.” ($4 -$15), as each bulb saves about $30 are they voting?advised Their that decisions the [PSC] or more in electricity costs over its lifetime. impact all of us,could our state’simplement economy a less Utilities may offer rebates for purchasing and the environment.”oppressive form of CWIP energy-efficient lamps. The Consumer’slater, Utilitywhich Councilwould have For more info on energy saving tips and money savers visit www.eere.energy.gov (CUC) was eliminated last year or for info on energy efficient products visit: by the Governor’s office due to www.energystar.gov.

2 News from the 2008 COURT Director’s Chair WATCH REPORT GEORGIA POWER’S SENATE BILL 31: PUBLIC RISK, BY MIKE RODGERS PRIVATE PROFIT

BY ALLISON WALL Spring is here, and so is the second • GP is requiring ratepayers annual report from Court Watch, A lot of questions remain about the to pay down the “interest” on the involuntary layaway plan Georgia which covers important consumer construction debt early. GP claims issues before the state Supreme Power disguised as a smart financing this is a good deal for consumers scheme during the 2009 legislative Court and Court of Appeals in because SB 31 avoids “interest on 2008. session. SB 31, in short, requires interest”. This argument is akin to consumers to pay increased electric passing a law saying Georgians Georgia’s appellate courts decided bills for two proposed nuclear have to pay for a car before it’s even a variety of consumer cases last reactors at Plant Vogtle long before manufactured so the consumer can year, including medical malpractice, they produce energy. save the “interest” on financing. lending practices, uninsured motorist coverage and products liability. One of the most glaring questions to • GP is actually getting much us is: Why is the state legislature, more than interest payments from Georgia’s two levels of appellate which has no nuclear financing your wallets over the next seven courts review trial court proceedings expertise, taking up SB 31 rather years. SB 31 allows the company to and interpretations of state law for than the Pubic Service Commission collect not only the financing costs errors or misconduct. They hear (PSC), which was established to on the construction debt, but the appeals based on a variety of specifically regulate energy issues? return on equity to boot. In other issues - everything from requests Questions regarding the politics words, SB 31 allows the utility to for attorneys’ fees to constitutional behind SB 31 will remain, but let’s collect a profit seven years early, challenges to state laws. review what we do know, such as before the Vogtle expansion is even In this year’s Court Watch report, how the new law will affect Georgia built, and before they have a service five of seven profiled state Supreme Power customers. to sell you. Court cases were won by the • If you’re a Georgia Power • For every dollar collected by consumer, but only four of ten (GP) customer, expect your monthly Georgia Power from ratepayers only reviewed Court of Appeals cases power bill to go up at least a couple 25 cents will actually go towards went in favor of the consumer. of dollars in January 2011, with a interest payments. Seventy-five specific line item on your bill for cents, or three-quarters of the Vogtle REPORT HIGHLIGHTS: “Plant Vogtle.” charges, will be company profit and •American Home Products income tax payments on that profit. • Construction of the new Corp. v. Ferrari - Federal reactors began this June but SB 31 couldn’t come at a worse time regulation of vaccines does not completion is not expected until for Georgians. Currently, Georgia prevent consumers from filing 2017. GP estimates customers will ranks 7th nationally in foreclosures claims in state court. pay $1.30 extra per month in 2011. and has an unemployment rate of •Mason v. The Home Depot, Then every year the monthly charge 9.1 percent. This is not the time to Inc. - The 2005 Tort Reform Act will double, so by 2017 ratepayers have Georgian’s prioritize Georgia expert witness requirements. will pay ten more dollars a month – Power’s debt over our own. or $120.00 more a year. This model •Scott v. Bank of America At Georgia Watch, we encourage - Notification failures when assumes that there will be no cost you to communicate with Georgia overruns, which are highly likely. mortgage companies do not Power at: www.georgiapower.com. maintain current, accurate • Between 2011 and 2017 See how your senator voted on SB contact information for their there will be no actual service 31 at vote-smart.org. And check borrowers. provided to ratepayers in exchange your Georgia Watch vote count on for their increased monthly charge. this issue at www.georgiawatch. •Cook v. Covington Credit of From the standpoint of “getting com. Georgia - Collection agency what you pay for,” this law is anti- contact and behavior at a consumer, as no service is rendered borrower’s workplace, including for the price folks will pay. racial slurs.

7 HOW DID YOUR REP VOTE ON

SB 31? 123 D Gracewood Y 155 R Vidalia Y Y VOTED YEA N VOTED NAY 151 Carol Fulllerton D Albany Y 90 D Atlanta Y

E EXCUSED/DID NOT VOTE X DID NOT VOTE 57 D Atlanta N 120 Quincy Murphy D Augusta Y 48 Harry Geisinger R Roswell Y 1 Jay Neal R LaFayette Y 76 D Ellenwood Y 69 R LaGrange Y DIST REP PARTY CITY VOTE 34 R Smyrna N Mary Margaret Roberta Abdul 162 J. Craig Gordon D Savannah N 83 Oliver D Decatur N 74 Salaam D Riverdale N 12 Tom Graves R Ranger Y 146 Larry O’Neal R Warner Robins Y 84 Stacey Abrams D Atlanta E 149 D Cuthbert E 141 Bobby Parham D Milledgeville N 8 Stephen Allison R Blairsville N 23 Mark Hamilton R Cumming Y Larry “Butch” 9 Amos Amerson R Dahlonega Y 148 Bob Hanner D Parrott N 156 Parrish R Swainsboro Y 117 Lee Anderson R Grovetown Y 118 Ben Harbin R Evans Y 42 R Marietta Y 56 Kathy Ashe D Atlanta N 147 R Cordele Y 137 R Macon Y 10 Rick Austin R Demorest N 28 Michael Harden R Toccoa N 143 Dubose Porter D Dublin N 78 Glenn Baker D Jonesboro E 177 J. Mark Hatfield R Waycross N 29 D Hartwell N 166 Terry Barnard R Glennville Y 104 John W. Heard R Lawrenceville Y 171 J ay Powell R Camilla Y 15 Paul Battles R Cartersville Y 114 Keith Heard D Athens Y 144 R Eastman Y 68 Tim Bearden R Villa Rica N 62 Joe Heckstall D East Point Y 7 R Blue Ridge N Sharon Beasley 67 Bill Hembree R Douglasville Y 72 R Peachtree City Y 65 Teague D Red Oak N 87 Michele Henson D Stone Mt. N 138 Nikki Randall D Macon Y Stephanie Stuckey 21 Calvin Hill R Woodstock Y Barbara Massey 85 Benfield D Atlanta N 180 Cecily A. Hill R St. Marys Y 11 Reece D Menlo N 31 R Jefferson Y 112 Doug Holt R Social Circle Y 98 Bobby Reese R Sugar Hill N 174 Ellis Black D Valdosta Y 71 Billy Horne R Newnan Y 51 Tom Rice R Norcross Y 63 Tyrone Brooks D Atlanta N 170 R Nashville N 19 Glenn RichardsonR Hiram X 64 D Atlanta N 121 Wayne Howard D Augusta Y 154 Jay Roberts R Ocilla Y 160 Bob Bryant D Garden City N 124 Sistie Hudson D Sparta Y 26 Carl Rogers R Gainesville N 130 D Junction City N Carolyn Fleming 152 R Albany N 50 Mark Burkhalter R Alpharetta Y 133 Hugley D Columbus N 153 Austin Scott R Tifton N 157 Jon Burns R Newington Y 161 Lester Jackson D Savannah N 2 Martin Scott R Rossville N 18 Mark Butler R Carrollton N 80 Mike Jacobs D Atlanta N 136 Tony Sellier R Fort Valley Y 20 R Woodstock Y 135 Lynmore James D Montezuma Y 35 R Acworth Y 175 Amy Carter D Valdosta Y 22 Sean Jerguson R Canton Y 176 Jay Shaw D Lakeland Y Earl "Buddy" 75 Celeste Johnson D Jonesboro N 105 Donna Sheldon R Dacula Y 159 Carter R Pooler Y 37 Terry Johnson D Marietta N 58 Robin Shipp D Atlanta N 103 David Casas R Lilburn Y 46 Jan Jones R Alpharetta Y 119 Barbara Sims R Augusta Y 81 Jill Chambers R Atlanta N 44 D Atlanta N 169 Chuck Sims R Ambrose Y 116 Mickey Channell R Greensboro Y 77 Darryl Jordan D Riverdale Y Georganna 134 D Americus Y 59 D Atlanta N 60 Sinkfield D Atlanta N 101 Mike Coan R Lawrenceville Y 179 Jerry Keen R St. Simons I. Y 113 Bob Smith R Watkinsville Y 125 Jim Cole R Forsyth Y 173 Mike Keown R Coolidge Y 70 R Newnan Y 97 R Duluth Y 126 David Knight R Griffin Y 131 Richard Smith R Columbus Y 27 Doug Collins R Gainesville Y 24 Tom Knox R Cumming Y 168 Tommy Smith R Nicholls Y 95 Toney Collins D Gainesville N 158 Bob Lane R Statesboro Y 129 R Pine Mountain Y 41 R Marietta Y 167 Roger Lane R Darien N 132 D Columbus Y 102 Clay Cox R Lilburn Y 82 Kevin Levitas D Atlanta Y 161 D Savannah N 16 Rick Crawford D Cedartown N 54 Edward Lindsey R Atlanta Y 164 Ron Stephens R Savannah X 122 Hardie Davis D Gracewood Y 14 Barry Loudermilk R Cassville Y 92 D Atlanta E 109 Steve Davis R McDonough Y 54 Ralph Long D Atlanta N 145 Willie Talton R Warner Robins Y Dee Dawkins 139 D Macon N 55 Rashad Taylor D Atlanta N 93 Haigler D Lithonia Y 110 John Lunsford R McDonough Y 40 Rob Teilhet D Smyrna N 163 Burke Day R Tybee Island N 127 B Maddox R Zebulon Y 100 Brian Thomas D Lilburn N 13 R Rome Y 172 Gene Maddox D Cairo Y 104 Lee Thompson D Lawrenceville N 6 Tom Dickson R Cohutta Y 94 Randal Mangham R Decatur N 107 Len Walker R Loganville Y 53 Elly Dobbs D Atlanta N 32 Judy Manning D Marietta Y 3 Tom Weldon R Ringgold Y 45 R Marietta Y 96 R Duluth N 52 Joe Wilkinson R Sandy Springs Y 38 Pat Dooley D Marietta N 47 Chuck Martin R Alpharetta Y 49 R Atlanta Y 86 D Avondale Est Y 17 Howard Maxwell R Dallas Y 165 D Midway Y 150 D Albany N 111 Jeff May D Monroe Y Earnest “Coach” 36 Earl Ehrhart R Powder Sprgs Y 91 Rahn Mayo R Decatur N 89 Williams D Avondale Est X 108 R Auburn Y 30 Tom McCall D Elberton Y 178 Mark Williams R Jesup Y 128 Carl Von Epps D LaGrange Y 115 Doug McKillip R Athens N 4 Roger Williams R Dalton Y 140 D Dry Branch N 5 John Meadows R Calhoun Y 33 Don Wix D Mableton N 106 Melvin Everson R Snellville Y 79 Fran Millar R Dunwoody Y 73 John Yates R Griffin Y 147 D Norcross N 25 James Mills D Gainesville Y 66 Virgil Fludd D Fayetteville N 88 Billy Mitchell D Stone MountainN 43 Bobby Franklin R Marietta N Alisha Thomas Y = 107 N= 66 39 Morgan D Austell N 6 GEORGIA WATCH AROUND THE STATE

JEANNINE MALONE AND ANGELA SPEIR AT THE EAST ALLISON WALL TEACHES MILLITARY PERSONNEL ABOUT THE ANGELA SPEAKS AT THE EAST COBB ROTARY CLUB. THREAT OF ID THEFT AT FT STEWERT. HINESVILLE, GA COBB ROTARY CLUB.

JEANNINE , GA WATCH MEMBER GAY PROCTOR AND BETH GAY PROCTOR BEHIND THE SCENES OF FORECLOSURE FILM BY JEANNINE AND ALLIE VISIT THE CORDELE COUNTY LIONS CLUB. MALONE IN APPLING, GA DIRECTOR ZACH FRANKEL. APPLING, GA

ESTABLISHING OUR ROOTS Georgia consumers want to know: “Where did accountability go?” BY JEANNINE MALONE promise that it would reduce the cost the devastating effects of SB 3. Early in the 2009 legislative session, of medical malpractice insurance for Here, we share their personal stories Sen. Bill Cowsert (R-Athens) doctors who were struggling to stay about the effects of tort reform. introduced Senate Bill 101, which afloat due to high premiums. LORI AND JOSH TATE would have granted Georgia-based Georgia Watch pays quarterly visits On New Years Eve of 2007, Lori Tate drug and medical device makers’ to the Insurance Commissioner’s brought her 12-year-old son Josh to full immunity from lawsuits filed by Office to research and review the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Georgia consumers. changes in those insurance rates. emergency room. Josh had severe Cowsert, a floor leader for Gov. We’ve found that there have been stomach pain, a high fever and was Perdue, claimed that SB 101 would very few rate reductions for Georgia vomiting. attract pharmaceutical companies doctors of all specialties since the The pediatrician in the ER ordered and biotech firms to Georgia and passage of SB 3. lab work, which showed a shift in create new job opportunities. Over four years later, SB 3 has Josh’s white blood count and an As we learned from, Senate Bill 3, done away with fundamental legal important protein level that was 14 the first round of Gov. Perdue’s so- rights for patients, while reducing times higher than normal. These called “tort reform” in 2005, the only accountability for doctors and signs should have been a red alert one who benefits from laws that limit hospitals. But the law failed to but the ER doctor diagnosed Josh accountability is big business. The reduce the cost of insurance or the with a stomach virus and sent him state’s consumers are left with little cost of healthcare. home. or no recourse. GA Watch members Lori Tate and Immediately following the holiday SB 3 was signed into law with the Joe Dipietro experienced first hand weekend, Tate brought Josh to his 4 CONTINUED ON PAGE 5 2009 LEGISLATIVE HIGHLIGHTS

BY DANNY ORROCK Plant Vogtle. The reactors won’t Requires that lenders verify that come online until 2017 or later, borrowers have the financial ability Georgia Watch though customer rate increases to repay the loan. Income verification had its busiest and will begin in 2011. This method of is a good example of this, and it can most successful pre-financing is called Construction keep borrowers from taking on more session yet during Work In Progress (CWIP). loan than they can afford. the 2009 General SB 57 flew through the Senate, but Assembly, working Under CWIP, ratepayers will be slowed down in the House in the on major pieces forced to make at least $2 billion in final days of the session and never of legislation prepayments for Plant Vogtle. made it to the floor for a final vote. that addressed One-quarter of that actually goes The bill will be eligible for action in nuclear financing, toward paying down the financing the House again in 2010. mortgage lending, costs on the construction debt – accountability for drug makers, about $500,000. health insurance coverage and This CWIP prepayment scheme was more. written into Senate Bill 31, sponsored When the gavel came down for the by Sen. Don Balfour (R-Snellville). last time on April 3rd, Georgia Watch After several re-writes, the bill was walked away with more victories than fast-tracked to the floor of the House losses in 2009, and good consumer and Senate for a vote, and was the HB 169: NOTIFYING LANDOWNERS bills still on the table for 2010. first bill to reach the governor’s desk IN FLOOD AREAS We’ve compiled the highlights on February 26th. He signed it into law on April 21. Rep. Buddy Carter (R-Pooler) filed of the legislative session below. a bill to help people whose homes Please watch the mail for our 2009 To learn how SB 31 will or businesses are at risk of being legislative reference to see how your effect your monthly electric flooded. House Bill 169 would legislators voted on key consumer bill and to see how Georgia require the Georgia Department of issues. legislators dropped the ball, Natural Resources (DNR) to notify see the Director’s Chair. HB 509: ADDING A CONSUMER landowners if their property is being MEMBER TO THE STATE MEDICAL SB 57: MORTGAGE REFORM affected by new changes to flood BOARD plain maps used by the National Sen. Bill Hamrick (R-Carrollton) Flood Insurance Program. Since 2006, Georgia Watch has sponsored Senate Bill 57 to address pushed the legislature to add more the obvious fraud and profiteering The bill would also require DNR to consumer members to the State in mortgage loan origination that include in the notice information Medical Board – members who work contributed to the current housing about appealing changes to flood outside the medical profession. and financial crisis. SB 57 was plain maps. Consumer members help balance written to apply to subprime and In general, land in the flood plain has the interests on the board and nontraditional home loans only. a lower property value and needs to improve the representation of Key provisions of SB 57: be insured under the federal flood average consumers in closed-door insurance program. disciplinary hearings. Bans prepayment penalties on subprime loans. A high-cost loan HB 169 passed out of the House House Bill 509 will increase the size should be a bridge to better financing, easily but was amended in several of Georgia’s board to two consumer not an anchor to high-interest debt. ways on the Senate floor. Georgia members and 13 physicians, which Watch supported one amendment Bans broker yield spread premiums, is comparable to other southeastern which guarantee notice by mail for or broker kickbacks, on subprime states. It passed with little opposition landowners in the flood plain and loans. When brokers lead borrowers and will be signed into law in June. flood way. to higher interest rates than they SB 31: PRE-PAYING FOR POWER, really qualify for, the lender pays Unfortunately, the two chambers TAXES, AND GEORGIA POWER’S them a kickback. Therefore, YSPs could not agree on a compromise PROFITS were an incentives for brokers to version to pass. HB 169 will be Georgia Power asked legislators make loans more expensive than eligible for action again in 2010. for permission to require their necessary. ratepayers to start paying down the Requires mortgage brokers to act in company’s financing debt early on the best interest of borrowers. two proposed nuclear reactors at 3 pediatrician because he was still TThehe hhospitalospital life-flightedlife-flighted DipietroDipietro in a tremendous amount of pain ttoo tthehe UUniversityniversity ofof TennesseeTennessee and had lost 15 pounds. When the KKnoxvillenoxville MedicalMedical CenterCenter (UTMC)(UTMC) FACT BOX: pediatrician reviewed the ER labs, wwherehere hehe waswas admittedadmitted withwith acuteacute he knew immediately that Josh ttubularubular necrosisnecrosis (bruised(bruised kidneys),kidneys), did not have a stomach virus and a severesevere concussionconcussion andand listedlisted inin STIMULUS MAY EXPAND referred him back to Children’s ccriticalritical condition.condition. HEALTH CARE FOR LAID-OFF Hospital of Atlanta. DDipietroipietro spentspent fivefive daysdays atat UTMC,UTMC, Doctors then perfromed tests that ffollowedollowed byby severalseveral weeksweeks ofof WORKERS determined Josh would need an rrecovery.ecovery. TheThe delaydelay inin hishis treatmenttreatment apendectomy. Unfortunately, by this nnotot oonlynly mademade hishis recoveryrecovery moremore Have you been laid off? time a typical appendectomy was ddifficultifficult – itit almostalmost costcost hhimim hishis life.life. Did you lose your employee health not possible – Josh’s appendix had EEvenven today,today, DipietroDipietro mustmust maintainmaintain insurance? ruptured. a strictstrict ddietiet ttoo a ppreventrevent relapserelapse andand Are you now covered under Josh was rushed back to Children’s ssuffersuffers ffromrom iintensentense migraines.migraines. AfterAfter COBRA? Healthcare of Atlanta for an hhisis experience,experience, DipietroDipietro hashas vowedvowed intervention draining of his abdomen. ttoo mmakeake thethe triptrip toto TTennesseeennessee forfor Typically, coverage under COBRA Had the draining not occurred, mmedicaledical care,care, ratherrather thanthan takingtaking hishis lasts no more than six months. Josh may have died from ruptured cchanceshances inin a GeorgiaGeorgia ER.ER. However, the stimulus package intestines. A VVICTORYICTORY FFOROR CCONSUMERSONSUMERS includes a 65 percent subsidy for the continuation of COBRA coverage for During Josh’s hospital stay, he AAss eevidencedvidenced byby thethe Tates’Tates’ andand developed kidney stones and had workers who were laid off. Coverage DDipietro’sipietro’s experiences,experiences, torttort reformreform can last up to nine months. two procedures to prevent kidney ttiesies tthehe hhandsands ofof patientspatients whowho havehave failure. All told, Josh had four ttrulyruly beenbeen harmed,harmed, andand protectsprotects surgeries and spent 22 days in the nnegligentegligent medicalmedical providersproviders fromfrom hospital. bbeingeing heldheld accountableaccountable forfor theirtheir FACT BOX: After more than a year of surgeries, aactions.ctions. hospital stays, treatments and worry, AAgaingain withwith SBSB 101,101, GeorgiaGeorgia patientspatients Josh is a normal kid. But because of wwouldould havehave nono recourserecourse forfor badbad drugsdrugs FORECLOSURE PREVENTION SB 3’s harsh tort reform provisions, aandnd devicesdevices marketedmarketed byby Georgia-Georgia- RESOURCES Tate has been unable to hold the bbasedased biotechbiotech andand pharmaceuticalpharmaceutical ER doctor accountable for the near- HOPE N OW – HUD-approved counseling iindustries.ndustries. ToTo getget thosethose legallegal rightsrights agents, mortgage companies, investors fatal misdiagnosis. She continues to bback,ack, patientspatients wouldwould havehave nono choicechoice and other mortgage market participants worry about the misdiagnosis and bbutut ttoo ttravelravel ttoo ootherther sstatestates fforor that provide free foreclosure prevention how it will affect Josh’s health in the mmedicaledical procedures.procedures. assistance. future. GGov.ov. PPerdueerdue andand Sen.Sen. CowsertCowsert 888-995-HOPE or www.hopenow.com The Tate’s may never be cclaimlaim thatthat moremore torttort rreformeform ssuchuch aass REVERSE EQUITY MORTGAGE compensated for the months of SSBB 110101 wouldwould bringbring jobsjobs toto Georgia.Georgia. CONSELING - Available 24 hours, HUD- physical and emotional suffering BButut MMichiganichigan – thethe onlyonly otherother statestate trained counselors offering mortgage caused by that doctor’s negligence. wwithith a similarsimilar lawlaw – hashas thethe worstworst default and delinquency counseling. JOE DIPIETRO eeconomyconomy inin thethe nation.nation. 1-800-251-cccs or www.cccsatl.org In November 2007, Joe Dipietro IInn ffact,act, ssinceince tthehe MMichiganichigan lawlaw waswas HOMEOWNER AFFORDABILITY AND was in a head-on collision while eenactednacted inin 1990,1990, a largelarge PfizerPfizer plantplant STABILITY PLAN - Treasury Secretary’s traveling down a mountain road in iinn KalamazooKalamazoo closedclosed andand anotheranother inin plan to restore stability to our financial Blue Ridge. AAnnnn ArborArbor downsized.downsized. system by helping families avoid foreclosure. Counselors are available to He was taken to a local ER, was FForor nnow,ow, SBSB 110101 isis dead.dead. TheThe SenateSenate assist customers for free. dismissed, and went back twice EEconomicconomic DevelopmentDevelopment CommitteeCommittee more before he was finally able to hheldeld twotwo hearingshearings onon thethe billbill andand 1-800-225-5342 or financialstability.gov persuade the ER doctor to give him tthenhen votedvoted itit downdown fourfour toto seven.seven. AVOID FORECLOSURE RECOVERY a thorough exam. GGeorgiaeorgia WatchWatch willwill continuecontinue keepkeep SCAMS – Never give money to firms claiming they can stop foreclosure. By the time the proper tests were aann eyeeye onon thesethese typestypes ofof lawslaws inin thethe ccourtsourts andand statestate legislature.legislature. Signing a contract with them is akin to performed, the ER doctor informed signing over the title to your property. Get DDipietroipietro thatthat hishis internalinternal injuriesinjuries FForor mmoreore infoinfo pleaseplease contactcontact GeorgiaGeorgia advice from an attorney, a trusted real wwereere soso seriousserious thatthat hehe onlyonly hadhad a 1212 WWatchatch aatt 11-866-33-WATCH.-866-33-WATCH. estate professional, or a HUD-approved ttoo 224-hour4-hour windowwindow beforebefore completecomplete housing counselor before signing any kkidneyidney failurefailure andand death.death. documentation. www.hud.gov

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