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| Mike Hihn, Libertarian |
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| Candidate: Insurance commissioner |
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| Mike Hihn |
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| Age: 58 |
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| Residence: Tukwila |
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| Occupation: |
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Small business, political consultant |
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| Education: |
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Studied political science, philosophy, Kent State University |
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| Political history: |
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Commissioner, King County Water District No. 125 |
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| Endorsements: |
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Washington Liberty Project, state Libertarian Party |
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| Campaign Web site: http://www.MikeHihn.com |
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| Campaign theme: No response. |
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| 1. |
What would you do to make prescription drugs more affordable? |
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There are two prices involved: drugs and insurance. Deregulating health insurance will greatly increase the number of insured families. But drug prices would be beyond my control, and another candidate seems to agree. He would form nongovernmental buying co-ops. Great idea, but why must we elect him first? |
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| 2. |
What would you do to make health insurance more affordable and available for individual consumers? |
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Deregulate. Open your Yellow Pages. Compare the number of health insurers with the number of auto and home insurers. Then ask yourself which insurance is the most highly regulated -- but offers the fewest choices, with out-of-control prices. As you can see, over-regulation is hazardous to your health. |
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| 3. |
What changes are needed to protect insurance consumers' privacy? |
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Insurers have legitimate concerns regarding fraudulent health histories from applicants. But insurance applicants can now be forced to choose between living and lying when new jobs require them to change carriers. Deregulate for portable coverage. |
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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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Nero. Fiddle. Burn. The incumbent has indulged a lot of trendy causes in public. But behind the curtain, many of our families have suffered anonymously. Noble crusades are gratifying; I've done several myself. But my first priority will be the job I am elected to do. |
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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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I believe this reflects failure to properly monitor the financial stability of (primarily) life insurers, plus delayed approvals of new life and annuity products. The two old parties seem more concerned about blaming each other than fixing problems. I'm the only candidate who can independently referee the bipartisan scapegoating. |
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