First Yes On Prop 45 Advertisement Shows Real Nurses Exposing Plight Of Real Patients In Hands Of Price-gouging, Penny-pinching Health Insurance Companies, Says Consumer Watchdog Campaign

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Oct. 1, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Yes On Prop 45 campaign today released its first television advertisement featuring three working registered nurses discussing how their patients' health care has been compromised by health insurance companies that are raising their rates.

The three bed-side registered nurses --- Gina Macalino, R.N., Andrea Seils R.N., Katey Roemer, R.N. – talk about how health insurance companies are threatening their patients, then say at the end of the ad, "When you're in the hospital you need a nurse on your side, when you deal with insurance companies, you need 45 on your side. Put the brakes on rates. Yes on 45."

Proposition 45 gives California the power to reject excessive health insurance rate hikes. No state or federal agency has that power today.

"When there are no controls on what insurance companies can charge, patients don't get the care they need even when they are paying for insurance coverage because of the high out-of pocket costs," said Gina Macalino, a board member of the California Nurses Association, which sponsored the television advertisements with a $1 million contribution.  "They don't go to the doctor, don't get the recommended treatment, or they don't fill prescriptions. That's why Californians need Proposition 45's oversight and rate relief."

The advertisement can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPoN1WI6OuU

Proposition 45 is being opposed by $37.5 million from five health insurance companies. The No On 45 campaign falsely claims nurses are against the measure even though the 80,000 strong California Nurses Association is a sponsor.

Proposition 45: 



• Requires health insurance companies to publicly disclose and justify, under penalty of perjury, proposed rate hikes before they take effect.

• Gives Californians the right to challenge excessive and unfair premium rate increases.

• Gives the elected insurance commissioner authority to reject unjustified rate increases, a power that is the law in 35 other states but that no California official has today.

Standing with Macalino were small business owners.  Small businesses in the state were recently charged $250 million in rates that regulators deemed unreasonable, but did not have the power to stop. The No On 45 campaign also falsely claims Prop 45 won't protect small businesses.

Diana Guth, therapist and owner of LA-based Home Respiratory Care Sleep Solutions, is committed to providing her 14 employees with health insurance. But she has watched her premiums jump 37 percent in four years while offering ever-smaller benefits.

"Despite the fact insurance companies are sitting on billions, our rates keep going up," said Guth. "I'm paying to build their business, not mine—and it needs to stop. That's why I'm voting yes on Prop 45."


Los Angeles realtor Judy Graff Fisher said, "My business is very important to me. Right after open enrollment ended, my rate almost doubled from $407 to $738. Covered California can't protect us from rate increases, Prop 45 can." 



The text of the advertisement follows:

Gina Macalino, RN: Health insurance companies are pushing patients out of hospitals to save themselves money. Still, they raise your rates.

Andrea Seils, RN: They're cutting back on nurses, and cutting prescriptions. Still, they raise your rates.

Katy Roemer, RN: What's worse? No federal or state agency can stop them, but Proposition 45 will hold them accountable.

Standing together. Gina Macalino: When you're in the hospital you need a nurse on your side, when you deal with insurance companies, you need 45 on your side. Put the brakes on rates. Yes on 45.

Paid for by Consumer Watchdog Campaign – Yes on 45, a coalition of consumer advocates, nurses, attorneys, and policyholders.  777 S. Figueroa St., Ste. 4050, Los Angeles, CA  90017.  Major Funding by Consumer Watchdog Campaign and California Nurses Association.

SOURCE Consumer Watchdog Campaign