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| John Conniff, Democrat |
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| Candidate: Insurance commissioner |
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| John Conniff |
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| Age: 44 |
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| Residence: Tacoma |
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| Occupation: |
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Deputy insurance commissioner for health policy |
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| Education: |
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B.A., political science, Seattle University; J.D., University of Puget Sound |
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| Political history: |
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Deputy insurance commissioner; attorney for state House of Representatives' program research office |
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| Endorsements: |
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Muckleshoot Tribe, National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League, Classified School Employees |
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| Campaign Web site: http://www.johnconniff.com |
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| Campaign theme: Experience to get the job done. |
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| 1. |
What would you do to make prescription drugs more affordable? |
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I fully support congressional efforts to add prescription benefits to Medicare. I support the governor's efforts to design a discount drug program. I will prohibit unfair discrimination in drug benefits and I will protect consumers with drug benefits to prevent the denial of necessary drug treatment. |
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| 2. |
What would you do to make health insurance more affordable and available for individual consumers? |
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I will work with insurers, consumers, business leaders, health professionals and the Legislature to develop a simple and reasonable approach to health-insurance reform. I will foster a regulatory environment that is professional, predictable and fair. I will work to simplify regulation and reduce the costs of managed health care. |
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| 3. |
What changes are needed to protect insurance consumers' privacy? |
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As deputy insurance commissioner I have led efforts to protect consumer privacy. As insurance commissioner, I will require insurers to: obtain permission before using information for marketing; restrict the use of information; allow consumers to limit the release of information; and protect information from unauthorized access. |
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| 4. |
How would you assess the current insurance commissioner, Deborah Senn, and the job she has done in the last eight years? What would you do differently? |
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As deputy insurance commissioner for seven years, I have watched the office become a place where consumer protection is not just a slogan. We have made great progress in protecting consumers in managed-care plans. As commissioner, I will now focus on creating a vibrant, competitive insurance market. |
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| 5. |
What would you do about the state's lack of accreditation from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners? Why is this important? |
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Washington first became accredited after Deborah Senn became commissioner. Washington withdrew when the Legislature failed to authorize higher salaries and funding needed to attract more financial examiners. As commissioner, I will work to secure needed funding and examiners. Accreditation helps local companies avoid the costs of audits by other states. |
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