A Sample of PSP Results: Protecting consumers in Washington state
Consumer protections were under attack in Washington State in 2005 and 2007 when PSP was hired as general consultant to direct the campaigns to defeat two ballot measures. Washington is one of only a handful of states with ballot measures in odd-numbered years.
In 2005, the insurance industry put Initiative 330 on the ballot, which would have required consumers to sign away their rights when visiting a doctor and would have put unfair caps on medical malpractice claims.
We started this race significantly behind, with only 42% of the voters opposed to the initiative. With strategic messaging and a strong communications program, the voters rejected I-330 with a 56% No vote.
Two years later, the insurance industry tried again, with a referendum to overturn a law prohibiting insurance companies from unfairly denying or delaying payment of claims. To retain the law, consumer advocates had the burden of advocating for approval of the referendum, even though the insurance industry had placed it on the ballot.
Despite the insurance industry outspending consumers by a three-to-one ratio in the intense four month campaign, Referendum 67 was approved by 57% to 43%.
In March 2008, Rose was honored with the AAPC Public Affairs Professional of the Year award in recognition of her leadership of the Approve 67 campaign.
