URGENT – One Last Chance to Stop Bad Legislation!
Senate Republicans Have Returned from Walkout
Bad Insurance Bills May Be Voted on Floor Soon
Now the insurance bills, HB 3242 and HB 3243, are in play.
The bad insurance bills HB 3242 and HB 3243 may come up for a Senate floor vote before session ends on June 25 – likely sooner, so act immediately! Links to them are at the bottom of this bulletin. PIA had to become neutral on HB 3242 so our “ask” of you is only for HB 3243. Whether or not you include HB 3242 is up to you.
Click here for a business-related brief against the bills. Likely your clients belong to one of these trade groups!
IMPORTANT – SEND EMAILS
The insurance lobby must find three Democratic “NO” votes, and we need your help. Please will each of you send separate individual emails (can still have the same content) to these Senators asking for a NO vote on HB 3243:
Sen. Aaron Woods Sen.AaronWoods@oregonlegislature.gov
Sen. Janeen Sollman Sen.JaneenSollman@oregonlegislature.gov
Sen. Elizabeth Steiner Sen.ElizabethSteiner@oregonlegislature.gov
= = = = = = = = = =
Please send me blind copy to lanab@teleport.com.
SAMPLE MESSAGE
Here is a sample message, but it’s better if you write in your own words:
Dear Senator (last name):
Please vote no on HB 3243. HB 3243-A has the potential to really harm Oregon insurance consumers. It would:
– redefine the relationship of insurer to insured, to the detriment of insurance consumers
– lead to inflated settlement demands
– encourage more lawsuits
– increase underlying costs related to insurance claims
– raise insurance premiums significantly
– create incentives for insurance fraud
– clog the court system.
HB 3243-A, by authorizing secondary lawsuits regarding the resolution of claims and authorizing
suits against insurers, would undermine the existing strong protections we have for consumers
already in Oregon. These policies negatively impacted insurance rates in other states that
adopted them.
The Division of Financial Regulation has said that this bill will also impact insurance agents
(producers), most of whom are very small businesses. Please vote no on HB 3243.
Sincerely,
Your Name and Contact Information
BILL LINKS
HB 3243-A
https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2023R1/Downloads/MeasureDocument/HB3243/A-Engrossed
Provides that violation of prohibitions against unfair claim settlement practices with respect to insurance is subject to enforcement action under Unlawful Trade Practices Act. Permits person to obtain, and court to award, appropriate equitable relief in addition to monetary damages under Unlawful Trade Practices Act. Requires Director of Department of Consumer and Business Services to request action before prosecuting attorney may take action under Unlawful Trade Practices Act against act or practice related to insurance.
HB 3242-B
https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2023R1/Downloads/MeasureDocument/HB3242/B-Engrossed
Provides insured with cause of action for insurer’s unfair claim settlement practices, other than practices related to settling workers’ compensation or medical malpractice claim. Provides that insured may not bring action against attorney in attorney’s personal capacity for act or practice that attorney undertakes on behalf of insurer, insured, beneficiary or other person in advising, presenting or negotiating insurance claim.
