“Consumer protection is the most important job of the
Insurance Commissioner.”
The role has expanded from simply registering insurance
companies doing business in the state to include overall industry regulation,
making sure companies meet all their obligations and abide by the financial and
legal standards. The agency is responsible for testing, licensing, and
oversight of all companies. Any citizen may file a complaint with the Insurance
Commissioner and request an investigation via the Consumer Protection Division
at 1-800-562-6900. Senior Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) are
available for advice statewide. The Insurance Commissioner’s office collects a
tax levied on insurance companies, and collects fees from insurance companies
to support its work.
They’re a necessary watchdog on a rather sharp industry.
education: Pacific University Dr of optometry
served in legislature and senate 16 years, served in US
Congress
Accomplishments include:
Strengthening
the insurance market, increasing competition and bringing more choices to
consumers.
Cut
excessive rate increases by insurance companies, saving auto and homeowner
consumers over $310 million.
Successfully
fought repeated attempts by big out-of-state insurance companies to take away
consumer legal protections.
Helped
individual consumers recover over $160 million on their insurance policies when
payments were delayed or denied.
Protected
women by requiring that contraceptives be included in prescription drug
coverage.
Brought
transparency and regulatory oversight to the individual health insurance market.
Priorities:
~ Continue our work on health
care reform.
~ Ensure consumers get a fair
deal.
~ Protect the environment.
~ Maintain a healthy business
climate.
Endorsed by
FUSE Progressive Voters.
found no campaign website
education: St Martin’s College, political science (degree
not mentioned)
Served as director of WA Dept of Commerce under Gov John
Spellman.
Statement: Paying too much for
insurance? Do you want four more years of the same 16-year policy direction
that governs the state agency that regulates insurance companies?
Washington’s health insurance rates are proposed to rise another 19% next year. Richard Schrock, as Washington’s next Insurance Commissioner, will fight unjustified premium increases, hold down deductibles and limit co-pays.
In 2013, highly respected Seattle Children’s Hospital waged a successful legal battle with the Insurance Commissioner’s Office and three major insurers. Children’s, the region’s premier pediatric hospital, took legal action to get their insured child patients covered by Commissioner-approved insurance plans that had excluded Children’s from service provider networks. In 2014, newspapers reported that a whistleblower complaint revealed scandalous conduct within the Office of the Insurance Commissioner involving “major systemic problems”. Our state’s largest newspaper subsequently called for “major reforms” that have not happened.
Obviously, policy changes are long overdue to broaden access to affordable coverage. If elected Commissioner, Richard Schrock will institute reforms that prevent powerful special interests from influencing agency decisions, vigorously enforce consumer protection laws, and mandate expanding healthcare service- provider networks. Future appeals of Commissioner decisions must be fairly and transparently decided by independent, impartial judges.”
Washington’s health insurance rates are proposed to rise another 19% next year. Richard Schrock, as Washington’s next Insurance Commissioner, will fight unjustified premium increases, hold down deductibles and limit co-pays.
In 2013, highly respected Seattle Children’s Hospital waged a successful legal battle with the Insurance Commissioner’s Office and three major insurers. Children’s, the region’s premier pediatric hospital, took legal action to get their insured child patients covered by Commissioner-approved insurance plans that had excluded Children’s from service provider networks. In 2014, newspapers reported that a whistleblower complaint revealed scandalous conduct within the Office of the Insurance Commissioner involving “major systemic problems”. Our state’s largest newspaper subsequently called for “major reforms” that have not happened.
Obviously, policy changes are long overdue to broaden access to affordable coverage. If elected Commissioner, Richard Schrock will institute reforms that prevent powerful special interests from influencing agency decisions, vigorously enforce consumer protection laws, and mandate expanding healthcare service- provider networks. Future appeals of Commissioner decisions must be fairly and transparently decided by independent, impartial judges.”
I looked into the accusation of
wrongdoing in the Insurance Commissioner’s office, and found that Commissioner Mike Kreidler placed an assistant, the chief presiding
officer, on leave, while a whistleblower complaint against him was
investigated. The complaint was that this officer had attempted to influence
some cases inappropriately. It looks like Kreidler
did the right thing by suspending and investigating.
Mike Kreidler
has been doing right by the public. I mistrust Schrock.
I’ll
be voting for Mike
Kreidler.
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