|
||||||||||||||
|
| Northwest Federation of Community Organizations |
| TAKING ACTION, MAKING CHANGE |
| OUR AFFILIATES: Idaho Community Action Network | Montana People´s Action | Oregon Action | Washington Citizen Action |
|
Victory: Washington Citizen Action Stops the Premera Blue Cross Conversion! Washington Citizen Action and Northwest Federation of Community Organizations have won a tremendous victory in the fight to preserve non-profit health care. Premera Blue Cross has been barred from becoming a for-profit. In a press conference on July 15, 2004, Washington State Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler announced his decision to deny Premera’s conversion request in its entirety. In May 2002, Premera announced its intention to become a for-profit insurance carrier traded on the public market and owned by shareholders. WCA immediately organized the Premera Watch Coalition to examine the proposal and protect the interest of health care consumers. WCA led a vigorous grassroots campaign across the state, building the Premera Watch Coalition and partnering with organizations such as the Spokane Alliance. Thanks to WCA organizing, a groundswell of public opposition was heard at public forums around the state. In Spokane, two hundred and fifty community members came out to tell Insurance Commissioner Kreidler to protect their health care and deny Premera’s request. Public opinion was stimulated by WCA outreach and education programs yielding over 5,300 written comments to the OIC critical of Premera’s proposal. In addition, WCA and the Premera Watch Coalition partners intervened in the legal proceedings around the conversion and made sure that the voices of health care consumers were heard. NWFCO provided key research and public education support, including the report >> Are Conversions Bad Medicine? (PDF), which highlighted the dangers of a conversion and negative effects in other states. NWFCO also analyzed documents submitted by Premera and helped WCA make the case that the public had a lot to lose from the conversion. NWFCO publications proved essential in educating press contacts on this very critical and complicated issue and were key to maintaining a “consumer protection” frame for statewide, regional and national coverage of the issue. WCA’s arguments were heard loud and clear by the public and the Insurance Commissioner. |
|
Northwest Federation of Community Organizations
1265 S Main, Ste 305 // Seattle, WA 98144
tel: 206.568.5400 // fax: 206.568.5444 // nwfco@nwfco.org