Texas Watch Requests TDI Investigation into Insurance Industry’s Auto Repair Practices
In light of recent reporting (here, here, and here) on the insurance industry’s corner cutting on automobile repairs, Texas Watch has requested
Safety
"Patient Death Act" Passes U.S. House
The U.S. House of Representatives voted yesterday 218-210 in favor of H.R. 1215, more aptly referred to as the Patient Death Act. The bill puts road blocks in the way of justice for injured patients and their families and greatly reduces accountability for unsafe hospitals and incompetent doctors. We've tried restrictive laws like this in Texas, and the results have been tragic for patients.
Texas Watch Supports the Military Consumer Protection Act
A group of U.S. Senators are taking important steps to better protect members of the military and their families from abusive financial practices. The Military Consumer Protection Act would allow for greater enforcement of protections designed to ease financial burdens on servicemembers during periods of military service.
Texas Watch has joined a group of national and state organizations supporting the important consumer legislation.
Protect Children. Punish Predators. Oppose the Immunity Amendment to HB 5
HB 5 seeks to improve the foster care system. But a dangerous immunity amendment tacked on in the Senate would give immunity to private contractors that make placement decisions. If they negligently place these children in the hands of predators, these private entities should face full accountability. Immunity only leads to danger. Keep kids safe. Oppose this immunity amendment.
Episode 17: Phantom Policies Haunt Texas Roads
Phantom Policies are haunting Texas roads, making dangerous conditions for all drivers. These policies create gaps in coverage by excluding coverage for household members who are not specifically listed in a policy. This practice not only harms the policyholder who often believes they're covered but any third party involved in a crash. Today, 1.5 million Texans are driving with Phantom Policies and as such, only have phantom policy.
Innovation, not immunity
Today, Texas Watch submitted written testimony against SB 2205, which immunizes manufacturers and developers of autonomous vehicles in certain cases. We believe that the Texas Legislature should fight for innovation, not immunity. Read the full testimony below:
School Bus Safety Bill Passes Out of Senate Committee
Yesterday, SB 693, which would require school districts to ensure that new school buses are equipped with three-point seat belts, was passed unanimously out of the Senate Committee on Transportation. SB 693 by Sen. Garcia is common-sense safety legislation acting on what Texans already know to be true: seat belts save lives.
Press Release: New Report Details Texas' Tragic Experience with Medical Malpractice Laws
Ware Wendell, Executive Director of Texas Watch, a non-partisan citizen advocacy organization that has sought to protect patients and preserve access to justice since 1998, released the following statement regarding the organization’s latest report on Texas' harsh medical malpractice laws:
Eliminate Phantom Policies: Tell Your State Rep to Support HB 915
Phantom policies are haunting Texas roads. HB 915 will remove these dangerous junk policies and it's critical that your legislator hears your voice. Take these few simple steps below to call your Texas State Representative in support of HB 915 by Representative Ed Thompson:
1) Look up who represents you at: http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/find-your-representative/
2) Input your address and press "Find Rep"
Lawmakers Take Steps Towards Safer Roads
Texas lawmakers are one step closer to clearing road blocks to a #SafeTexas. Yesterday, the House Insurance Committee unanimously approved HB 915, which would remove dangerous phantom insurance policies from Texas roads.