10/14/2006: "Rick Larsen Was No Help!"

To The Editor:

In 2001 the State of Washington lost the benefits of Emergency Med-Flight Membership Programs. The Insurance Commissioner at the time decided to identify these programs as insurance products. This made it impossible for the provider, Health Guard, to meet the Washington State Insurance Rules & Regulations and they were forced to stop the programs.

Faced with the possibility of being flown to an emergency room is a real concern to many who live in remote or inaccessible areas of the State. I understood these affordable Membership Programs to be extremely important to many of my friends and others in these circumstances. I then decided to try and do something to correct the problem.

After spending time with the St. Joseph's Hospital Administrator understanding the issues with the Insurance Commissioner in implementing the program, I decided to go to Olympia and talk with the Insurance Commissioner's Office. In preparation for this meeting, the Medical Guilds of Orcas Island and San Juan Island were asked to collect signatures on petitions. They collected over 1800 signatures in just three weeks. These petitions described the importance of these Med-Flight Membership Programs, asking for help in re-stating them.

I send these petitions to both our U. S. Senators and I personally handed the petitions to Rep. Rick Larsen when he attended a Candidates Night here on Orcas. Although she was not able to help, I heard from Senator Patty Murray's Office. I did not hear from Rick Larsen's Office. Republican John Evans, former San Juan County Commissioner and Democratic State Senator Harriet Spanel put their shoulders to the wheel and were very interested in and instrumental in helping their constituents (previous story) . There were many others from both sides of the political arena who helped get this legislation through and signed by our Democratic Governor. Rick Larsen was not one!

Joan Berkowitz