Maria Sheffield: Positive Policy - True Georgia

Georgia needs and deserves an Insurance Commissioner who does not require on-the-job training, an insurance commissioner with the right experience.

Given the state of the economy, its direct impact on the insurance industry and the raging federal debates regarding healthcare and the regulation of insurance, it is crucial Georgia have an insurance commissioner who is fully versed in the issues.

I will work with Georgia’s INSURANCE AGENTS:

Insurance agents - both independent and company agents - are good people who deserve an Insurance Commissioner who will support their efforts to serve the people of Georgia.

I strongly support Georgia insurance agents and the agent system. Professionally licensed insurance agents, brokers and consultants are the liaisons with Georgia consumers and there will always be a proper role for qualified agents, as they are vital to the process and provide valuable services to individuals and employers.

President Obama and his friends in the Georgia Democrat Party are doing all they can to attack and remove the ability of Georgia insurance agents to operate in the free market place. I am proud to stand with Georgia insurance agents and defend their right and ability to provide a service to Georgia without undue and excessive government regulation.

I WILL FIGHT Obamacare:

As your next Insurance Commissioner, I will refuse to participate in any Obamacare policies which come across my desk: in the strongest manner possible, I will fight the health care and health insurance takeover by the Obama Administration.

Obamacare means obscene costs in higher taxes, burdensome debt, anti-freedom mandates. Most in Georgia understand that Obamacare is transformational legislation that will take the United States into European-style Socialism.

As your next Insurance Commissioner, I will not participate in any phase of the recently enacted federal health care legislation including the first phase which calls for the implementation of a temporary high risk insurance pool. This creates a massive unfunded mandate on Georgia taxpayers and our state budget.

I will lead on CONSUMER PROTECTION:

Georgia must have a vigorous, free market competitive insurance environment, which will expand consumer choice and drive down premiums.

I will work with the General Assembly to make certain your Consumer Services Division is fully funded as this vitally important division of the Department of Insurance is dedicated to helping Georgians resolve disputes with their insurance companies and agents.

I strongly support the FREE-MARKET and CONSUMER CHOICE:

I will make sure Georgia maintains a competitive, free market insurance environment; one that adequately provides choice and availability to both individuals and companies.

I will fight for AFFORDABLE COVERAGE:

Georgia taxpayers deserve an Insurance Commissioner who is committed to keeping property, health, workers' compensation and life coverages affordable and available. I will oppose any regulatory action which would limit any person's insurance options and choice.

I strongly support THE RURAL GEORGIA HEALTHCARE INITIATIVE:

I pledge to continue the Rural Georgia Healthcare Initiative. This important privately funded program allows Georgians living in rural areas of the state convenient local access to specialty medical care usually found only in Georgia’s largest metropolitan areas.

I am a STRONG DEFENDER OF STATE REGULATION:

I oppose any effort to dismantle the state insurance regulatory system.

The state system has kept the industry stable and solvent for nearly 200 years. Insurance is a product that is locally purchased and locally consumed and a Georgia Insurance Commissioner is better able to protect the citizens of the state of Georgia than a federal bureaucracy.

I will work to bring jobs to Georgia by encouraging insurance companies to become licensed to do business in Georgia, and to move their operations to the state, which can also simultaneously increase competition.

I will fight INSURANCE FRAUD:

It is estimated that insurance fraud costs Americans $80 to $120 billion dollars a year. That means that each family in Georgia has paid nearly $1,000 out of their own pocket due to insurance fraud, which in its various forms, is one of the most costly white collar crimes.

It infiltrates every type of insurance and makes victims of both the consumers and the insurance industry.

Be clear on this, I will use my legal background to aggressively investigate and prosecute insurance fraud in Georgia.

I strongly support PORTABILITY OF HEALTH INSURANCE POLICIES:

There are many changes being proposed in healthcare and insurance. We must maintain portability for Georgia policyholders. A job change should never cause a Georgia taxpayer to lose his or her health insurance.

Maria Sheffield – Experience Ready To Lead On Day One!

Maria Sheffield thanks you for your prayers, support, and hard work. Maria Sheffield asks you for your vote on Tuesday, August 10th in the Republican Run-off for Insurance Commissioner.


For Georgia,

Team Sheffield

Visit Maria at www.mariasheffield.com