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Daily Archives: July 24, 2007

FTC Releases Report on Effects of Credit-Based Insurance Scores

Press release: “The Federal Trade Commission today released a report presenting the results of a study concerning credit-based insurance scores and automobile insurance. The study found that these scores are effective predictors of the claims that consumers will file. It also determined that, as a group, African-Americans and Hispanics tend to have lower scores than non-Hispanic whites and Asians. Therefore, the use of scores likely leads to African-Americans and Hispanics paying relatively more for automobile insurance than non-Hispanic whites and Asians. Credit-based insurance scores are calculated based on a consumer’s credit history information. Insurance companies use them to predict the claims that consumers are likely to file, and to determine the premiums they are charged.”

  • Credit-Based Insurance Scores: Impacts on Consumers of Automobile Insurance: A Report to Congress By the Federal Trade Commission (July 2007)
  • Statement of Chairman Majoras, Commissioner Kovacic, and Commissioner Rosch
  • Dissenting Statement of Commissioner Harbour
  • Concurring Statement of Commissioner Leibowitz
  • Consumer Information: Need Credit or Insurance? Your Credit Score Helps Determine What You’ll Pay
  • Concise Guide to Lawyer Specialty Certification Available Online

    Press release: “The American Bar Association is making its Concise Guide to Lawyer Specialty Certification (27 pages, PDF) available online. The Guide helps specialty bar associations and section leaders determine whether to create a certification program and the steps for doing so. Certification allows lawyers who have acquired specialized knowledge in a practice area formalize… Continue Reading

    Committee Requests Specific Tillman Documents from the White House

    “Today Chairman Waxman and Ranking Member Davis sent a letter to the White House requesting specific documents related to the death of U.S. Army Corporal Patrick Tillman, who was killed by friendly fire in Afghanistan in 2004. The White House has made available for staff review approximately 400-450 pages, which had previously been redacted or… Continue Reading

    CBO: Testimony on the Navy's 2008 Shipbuilding Plan and Uninsured Children Eligible for Medicaid

    Testimony on the Navy’s 2008 Shipbuilding Plan and Key Ship Programs, July 24, 2007 – House Armed Services Committee Estimates of the Number of Uninsured Children Who Are Eligible for Medicaid or SCHIP, July 24, 2007: “(CBO) has examined available estimates of the number of children who lack health insurance but are eligible for Medicaid… Continue Reading

    Senate Committee on Commerce Hearing: Protecting Children on the Internet

    Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation hearing, Protecting Children on the Internet, July 24, 2007. Links to witness statements “As the Senate Commerce Committee debates how best to protect children on the Internet, lawmakers must take special care to avoid overly simple solutions that would do more harm than good. In its zeal to… Continue Reading

    New GAO Reports: DHS Privacy Office, Nonprofit Sector, Health Screening for 9/11 Responders, Tax Compliance, VA Accountability

    Compact of Free Association: Implementation Activities Have Progressed, but the Marshall Islands Faces Challenges to Achieving Long-Term Compact Goals, GAO-07-1115T, July 24, 2007 Defense Acquisitions: Realistic Business Cases Needed to Execute Navy Shipbuilding Programs, GAO-07-943T, July 24, 2007 Federal Farm Programs: USDA Needs to Strengthen Management Controls to Prevent Improper Payments to Estates and Deceased… Continue Reading

    States of Disclosure: Tracking the Private Interests of Public Officials

    “The Center for Public Integrity researched state requirements on the filing of Personal Financial Disclosures by all three branches of state government — executive, legislative and judicial — to help the public hold officials accountable and determine the potential for conflicts of interest.” [Note: see the drop-down menu on the right hand side to view… Continue Reading

    Survey Shows Online Newspaper Audience at Record High for Second Quarter

    Press release: “More than 59 million people (37.3 percent of all active Internet users) visited newspaper Web sites on average during the second quarter of 2007, a record number that represents a 7.7 percent increase over the same period a year ago, according to custom analysis provided by Nielsen//NetRatings for the Newspaper Association of America.… Continue Reading