BY JASON deBRUYN

Staff Writer

MONROE

The N.C. Insurance Commissioner stopped in Union County Monday and said he wants to protect North Carolinians.

Wayne Goodwin, a Democrat, met with the Union County Democratic Women Monday afternoon for a question and answer period on some of their concerns.

Being so closely tied to insurance dealings, Goodwin said he hears daily questions and concerns on health insurance and how legislation in Washington will affect people in North Carolina; Mondays meeting was on the same topic. “Cost, cost and cost.” Those were the top three concerns Goodwin said he hears from people. Beyond that, access to health care and consumer protections were high on the list as well.

“We want to make sure that there are no unintended consequences,” Goodwin said. He and insurance commissioners from surrounding states have banded together to help assist Washington lawmakers on any health reform bill.

One particular aspect Goodwin wants to make sure is worded precisely is allowing insurance companies to sell across state lines.

On the surface, giving consumers more options sounds like a good idea, he said. But shoppers who don’t read the fine print could be in for a rude awakening, he said.

Insurance plans in California are high on earthquake coverage, for example. A buyer in North Carolina might not need that. Also, not all states mandate coverage for diabetes or breast cancer. Rules and regulations that cross state lines could become blurred and tricky for a consumer to decipher.

The insurance commissioner’s office is an independently elected position in North Carolina and Goodwin said that helps that official stay beholden to the voters and consumers, not anyone else, and keep the voters best interest in mind when making suggestions about any legislation.

-by Staff Writer Jason deBruyn