ForAccess.com to Petition State Legislators to Support Consumer Advocacy Programs

By making one wrong decision, how will that affect my family?

[ClickPress, Wed May 16 2007] How do you measure the long-term impact that making the wrong decision has on a family? How can you measure the consequences of having limited information when trying to make a decision? State legislators have it within their power to provide consumers with better access to this type of information, and one website is determined to hold states accountable for doing so.

Jeanne Fuller, president of the consumer resource website ForAccess.com, says, “For years, consumers have been pushed into making important decisions, such as identifying a new healthcare provider, based off the insurance’s list of approved doctors and their zip codes. You can’t learn anything about a provider based off a zip code! Consumers resort to doctor-hopping, or even hold off on getting the care they need. This isn’t safe, and it isn’t right. The information is out there; consumers just need a way to access it.”

ForAccess.com provides consumers with a safer way to find the professional services they need. Consumers can search for professionals based on discipline, specialty, or location. They can then read the information licensed professionals have voluntarily posted about themselves, including previous experience, credentials, specialty services, and office information. Consumers can also click on the professional’s license number to verify the information the professional has posted.

Fuller adds, “Each state has information about the licensed professionals operating within its borders, and most states allow consumers to access this information for free. The problem is that most consumers don’t know where to find that information, and also, some states are starting to charge for access to this information.”

At ForAccess.com, consumers can quickly find professionals, and then verify that they are in fact licensed, completely confidentially and for free. Beginning this month, ForAccess.com will be contacting state legislators to educate them about the importance of allowing consumers free access to this type of information, and introducing an Award of Excellence for those states that have readily available and accessible information on their websites. The criterion for the award is listed on the ForAccess.com website under Resources. “We will announce the first recipient of this award toward the end of the summer and look forward to sharing this information with consumers. As always, our goal is to educate and protect consumers. We hope the states will join us in this effort,” said Fuller.

ForAccess.com is a woman-owned web site supported by professionals for the purpose of sharing information with consumers for a more informed decision prior to purchasing or hiring services. Our mission statement is to make a positive difference in people’s lives. ForAccess.com also connects professionals with affiliate partners who offer discounted services. For more information call 210-614-9911, or go to www.ForAccess.com.

Bookmark this release: Del.icio.us - Digg - Furl - Blinklist - Reddit