Protect your rights to your health insurance coverage
DO NOT sign Initiative 895
You may be approached by people asking you to sign Initiative 895. This is an insurance-industry sponsored initiative to the people that would:
- Allow insurance companies to raise premiums 8 percent each year without oversight by the State Insurance Commissioner. Currently, the Insurance Commissioner must approve increases in excess of 4 percent yearly.
- Allow your insurance company to charge you additional premiums based on the type of health care provider you choose for your already covered health condition - even though there is no evidence that your choice of provider type is more expensive, and in fact may be cheaper.
- Allow your insurance company to decide what will be covered under a limited plan, such as a visit to an emergency room, mammography, diabetes education, training and screening, and direct access to a women's health care provider. (State law now requires all of the above to be covered but I-895 would allow the insurance company to pick and choose!!)
To qualify for the November election ballot, initiative supporters must obtain 197,000 valid, registered voter signatures by July 2, 2004. Here's what you can do to stop I-895 from reaching the ballot:
- If approached, do not sign the initiative. Also encourage your family, friends and co-workers not to sign it!
- Let your local chamber of commerce know how you feel about Initiative 895. Insurance interests have influenced local chambers of commerce to support this initiative by claiming that it will result in lower insurance premiums for small business. History tells us that insurance companies never lower their premiums; they simply raise the salaries of their executives!
If your employer or your local chamber of commerce is supporting this effort, let them know the above facts, and that I-895 will compromise the right of patients to choose the type of provider to treat their already-covered condition.
- Make a donation to defeat this effort! The insurance industry has extremely deep pockets and has committed millions of dollars in their efforts to restrict your rights to choose chiropractic care or any other type of health care provider (massage therapist, etc.) for your covered health condition. Concerned citizens across Washington State have joined forces to fight I-895. If you can help, please mail your donations to:
Citizens Against I-895
6016 NE Bothell Way, #225
Kenmore, WA 98028-9403
Century Massage & Bodywork, Inc.
- Lyn Yancha, LMP
425.228.5217
www.CenturyMassage.com
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