Approve 67 campaign news

[eridani]

Many of you have asked me if the Approve 67 campaign has a short poll-tested message that you can use when communicating with your members about Referendum 67. Below Here is the best (simple and clear) way to describe the referendum to people.

"Referendum 67 simply requires the Insurance Industry to be fair and pay legitimate claims in a reasonable and timely manner. Referendum 67 would help to ensure that the Insurance Industry honor their commitments to treat all policyholders honestly."

Mark Fraley
Approve 67
1700 7th Ave Suite 116 - PMB 367
Seattle, WA 98101-1300
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
www.approve67.org

[eridani]

1. Insurance companies have already raised more than $6.8 million

The big insurance companies have already raised more than $6.8 million to try to defeat Referendum 67 here in Washington this November. What are they so afraid of?

I guess the insurance industry doesn't want to be held accountable by Washington consumers. After all, Referendum 67 simply requires that all insurance companies pay legitimate claims in a reasonable and timely manner. Is that really too much to ask?

Help us stand up to the insurance industry this November -- please contribute $67 to Approve 67 today!

Instead of raising $6.8 million to campaign against Referendum 67, the insurance industry should be using that money to pay the legitimate claims due to Washington consumers.

After all, thousands of consumers in Washington file complaints with the Office of the Insurance Commissioner every year because their legitimate claims have been unfairly denied or delayed.

That's a real problem.

Under our current law, there is no penalty for insurance companies that do not play by the rules. Fortunately, Referendum 67 will create an incentive to pay legitimate claims promptly by allowing the court to assess penalties if an insurance company illegally denies or delays payment of a legitimate claim.

Help us stand up to the insurance industry this November -- please contribute $67 to Approve 67 today!

We don't have $6.8 million to make sure that the people of Washington know the truth about Referendum 67.

But we do have you -- and thousands of other supporters like you.

A contribution of $670, $67, or even $6.70 will go a huge way towards giving us the resources we need to Approve 67 this fall. It doesn't matter how much you give, as long as you give what you can. Can you do your part to help us Approve 67?

https://secure.ga3.org/03/donate_67

Help us stand up to the insurance industry this November -- please contribute $67 to Approve 67 today!

The insurance industry is counting on more than $6.8 million from their deep pockets to defeat this important consumer initiative.

But we're counting on strong grassroots support from friends like you to Approve 67.

Thanks for your help!


Sincerely,
Sue Evans

[eridani]

2. Insucance commissionter Kreidler aboard

Kreidler and lawmakers get behind Approve 67
Measure would make the insurance industry treat consumers fairly

SEATTLE - Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler and a bipartisan group of state lawmakers this week announced their support for Referendum 67, a measure that would make sure the insurance industry is fair to policyholders.

"As Insurance Commissioner, I have heard from consumers around the state and they want the insurance industry to honor its commitment to policyholders, " Kreidler said. "At the end of the day consumers want to know they are being protected. I believe we need Referendum 67."

More than 50 organizations have joined the consumer campaign to pass Referendum 67, a measure that would make it illegal for the insurance industry to delay or deny legitimate insurance claims.

Every year, Washington's Office of the Insurance Commissioner receives thousands of complaints from homeowners, property owners and small business owners about delays and denials of legitimate insurance claims.

The insurance industry has launched a multi-million dollar campaign attempting to persuade voters to reject the consumer protections in Referendum 67. The campaign has already funneled $2 million of largely out-of-state insurance money into Washington's airwaves.

"It's time for the insurance industry to play by the rules," said State Rep. Steve Kirby, D-Tacoma. Kirby introduced a version of the consumer protection legislation this session that was approved by the Legislature and the Governor.

State Rep. Tom Campbell, R-Roy, says that as a legislator and a doctor of chiropractic, he treats hundreds of patients who are treated unfairly by the insurance industry.

"People pay insurance premiums and they should get what they pay for. Referendum 67 simply requires the insurance industry to pay legitimate claims on time," said Campbell.

Contact:
Sue Evans
206.792.0408
sevans {at} approve67.org