Washington State Democrats chairman Dwight Pelz is urging party supporters to approve Referendum 67, this November's ballot face-off over insurance.

"Voters will finally have the opportunity to hold the insurance industry accountable," Pelz wrote in an email sent out Thursday. "...As Democrats, we must stand together to promote the rights of ordinary Americans."

The measure would allow triple damages against insurance companies who wrongly deny a policyholder's legitimate claim. Insurance companies -- who have donated more than $7 million to fight such a change -- maintain that the lawyer-backed referendum will lead to a flurry of questionable lawsuits and resulting higher costs for all policy holders.

---

---