Insurance Commissioner

I joined the American Cancer Society Action Network, which is the political arm of the ACS. They are the organization I was involved with over the past year or so that got funding for under and un-insured colonoscopies and an insurance mandate to cover routine colonoscopies. Washington state is starting to address the need for better healthcare coverage. Several proposals are being floated for ballot vote this November. All are flawed, but anything that provides better access for people is good. I was invited to a small meeting with the insurance commissioner, Mike Kreidler, where he reviewed and wanted input for his proposal - basically an "umbrella liability" coverage for all state residents to be funded by a payroll tax. Anything over $10,000 would be covered by the state, so employers and non-covered people would have limited financial exposure and/or could buy cheaper coverage as it would only be for $10,000. There were some points not totally worked out, but I liked the idea of the plan. Website for this proposal is: http://www.insurance.wa.gov/consumers/reform/index.shtml