WHO: UnitedHealth Group, an heath insurance provider.
WHAT: An investigation by the California Department of Insurance found evidence of 133,000 violations of state laws and regulations regarding payments for medical care.
WHERE:Health plan faces fines of $1.33 billion [LA Times]
THE QUOTE:“”Our integration issues and challenges shouldn’t affect our providers, and they shouldn’t affect our members,” he said. “We’re very regretful about that.”

At the same time, UnitedHealth executives downplayed the effect on members and patient care, characterizing the problems largely as administrative errors. Still, they said, the company was taking the allegations seriously.“

Want more consumer news? Visit our parent organization, Consumer Reports, for the latest on scams, recalls, and other consumer issues.