Kansas Insurnace Commissioner Praeger Conducts Media Interviews About candidates' Health Reform Ideas

Topeka, KS  (CompNewsNetwork) - Kansas Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger, who is president of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), spoke to 15 national and regional media organizations March 10-11 about the presidential candidates' health care reform ideas.

The Commissioner was in New York both days, speaking by satellite on morning programs of regional television stations and discussing current topics with national news organizations. The trip was part of her duties as NAIC president.

Commissioner Praeger's primary message was that presidential health reforms should be considered in a form that could provide a public-private partnership, with states enabled to innovate and regulate health insurance matters. Funding for any new health care reforms could be a combination of private money and public assistance, she said.

The Commissioner spoke live or on recorded video to television stations in Austin, Texas; New York City; Jacksonville, Fla.; Albuquerque, N.M.; Philadelphia, Pa.; Greensboro, N.C.; Birmingham, Ala.; Eugene, Ore.; and Johnstown, Pa.

While in New York, the Commissioner also spoke to reporters at Reuters, Bloomberg News, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Dow Jones and ratings group thestreet.com. “It was an exciting, whirlwind experience,” Commissioner Praeger said. “We need to be sure that Americans and the presidential candidates understand that the NAIC and state insurance departments are uniquely qualified to help people understand the different presidential proposals.

We can also help illustrate the impact those proposals have on the quality and availability of affordable health care.”
 
The Kansas Insurance Department, established in 1871, assists and educates consumers, regulates and reviews companies and licenses agents selling insurance products in the state. More about the department is online at www.ksinsurance.org.