Kreidler fines Aetna for discriminating against transgender women

09/02/2021

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Washington state Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler fined Aetna Life Insurance Co. $25,000 for discriminating against policyholders who sought gender-affirming medical treatment. 

In June 2019, a Washington state consumer filed a complaint with Kreidler’s office that Aetna, a health insurer, denied coverage for breast augmentation as part of the policyholder’s gender-affirming treatment plan. Aetna denied coverage without reviewing for medical necessity, stating the treatment was not covered because it was a cosmetic procedure. 

Aetna also…

Kreidler slams Taliban-like abortion law in Texas

09/01/2021

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler issued the following statement today on the new Texas law that restricts women’s rights to abortion:

“The Republican party in Texas has once again shown its blatant disregard for women’s rights. The new law that effectively bans abortions in the state cannot be allowed to stand.

“The Texas law is a threat to women’s health and – if allowed to stand – could become a model for other states to restrict the ability of women to make choices about their own health.  

“Texas Republicans have become America’s own…

Abshir Ali joins Kreidler’s insurance fraud most wanted

08/27/2021

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Abshir A. Ali, aka Mowlid Hersi, of Tukwila, has been added to Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler’s insurance fraud most wanted after he failed to appear in King County Superior Court to face felony charges of filing a false insurance claim and first-degree attempted theft. A bench warrant for his arrest was issued and bail is set for $10,000. 

If you have information that may lead to Ali’s arrest, please contact your local law enforcement agency or Kreidler's Criminal Investigations Unit (CIU).  

Ali was charged in connection with an auto…

Kreidler requires employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19

08/09/2021

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler will require the 243 employees at his agency to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Oct. 18, 2021. The announcement follows Gov. Jay Inslee’s directive to all cabinet-level agencies and request for other state leaders to follow suit. 

“As a doctor and public health expert, I have been encouraging my family, friends and colleagues to get fully vaccinated against COVID-19,” said Kreidler. “I am pleased that 84% of the people at my agency have self-reported being fully vaccinated. Vaccines are the only way we get back…