News Archive

April is National Volunteer Month, and the Office of the Insurance Commissioner is recognizing our more than 230 people who volunteer to help people understand Medicare through our Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) program. 

“For more than 45 years, our SHIBA volunteers have been making a difference in others’ lives all over Washington state,” said Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer. “They help people understand the complexities of Medicare and provide them with options that best meets their needs. We’re incredibly grateful for the work they do and for…

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Substitute Senate Bill 5331, which would have authorized the state insurance commissioner to order an insurance company or person under OIC jurisdiction that violates state insurance laws to pay consumers back their money, failed to pass out of the House Consumer Protection and Business Committee on Wednesday. The bill also would have created fine enforcement parity among those same entities.

The bill was requested by Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer and prime sponsored by Senator Adrian Cortes (D - Battle Ground).  “The Senate passed a strong consumer…

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer responded to President Trump’s abrupt closure of the Region 10 office of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in Seattle: 

“The Trump administration has closed our regional office of health and human services, which serves Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska. These are our partners in delivering Medicare and Medicaid help to Washingtonians. 

“This move is short-sighted, heartless and will harm our most vulnerable and the people who rely on these services. But it will not stop us from doing what we…

OLYMPIA, Wash. — The following is a statement from Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer in response to the passing of former Washington state Speaker Frank Chopp:

“I was deeply saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Speaker Frank Chopp and my heart goes out to his family at this time. He held one of the highest levels of power in our state, yet never lost sight of the good we could do for the most vulnerable among us. I considered him a friend as well as a colleague and his passion will be sorely missed.”