SEATTLE, May 13 /PRNewswire/ -- The Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle
and the Pacific Northwest Regional Anti-Defamation League are happy to
announce today that Governor Christine Gregoire today signed House Bill
1561/Senate Bill 5530, which protects Washington State citizens from
discrimination denying them life insurance. The new law prevents insurance
companies from discriminating against travelers for lawful travel by canceling
or denying travelers life insurance because of that past or current lawful
travel.
Insurance companies have been denying life insurance coverage to
applicants based on their past travel to countries on the U.S. State
Department's "Current Travel Warnings" list.
"This issue is of particular concern to the Washington State Jewish
community because nearly all major life insurance providers have denied life
insurance coverage to travelers simply because those travelers traveled or
planned to travel to Israel," said Nancy Geiger, CFO of the Jewish Federation
of Greater Seattle. "I personally was denied coverage last year because I was
traveling to Israel, as were several of my colleagues."
Creating disincentives to travel to Israel also negatively affects
Christians and Moslems who wish to travel to the Holy Land.
By passing this legislation and signing it into law, the Washington State
Legislature and Governor Gregoire have helped Washington State join both New
York and Illinois, who have enacted similar laws.
About the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle
Founded in 1926, the Jewish Federation's mission is to ensure Jewish
survival and enhance the quality of Jewish life locally, in Israel and
worldwide. In support of that mission, the Federation has raised millions of
dollars for various community, educational and social service programs and
services.
SOURCE Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/governor-gregoire-enacts-important-anti-discrimination-legislation-54400082.html
