After having four surgeries in 13 months, Kathy Roaleen spends a big chunk of her day dealing with her frequent medical bills. If only she could get her insurance companies to handle them promptly.

"I'm constantly dealing with them," the Rockford woman said of her battles with insurers, which have resulted in many denied claims.

On Monday, Roaleen spoke of her experiences as a handful of state House Democrats promoted a 12-bill package that would penalize home, auto and health insurance companies who delay and deny legitimate insurance claims.The legislation would:

• Strengthen consumer protections, punishing companies who unnecessarily delay or deny rightful claims with fines up to $1 million.

• Hold accountable corporate leaders who encourage wrongful denial of claims, making the misconduct a felony punishable by prison and hefty fines.

• Create a whistle-blower protection plan to shield employees who report an insurance company is engaging in wrongful denial.

• Require companies to repair a consumer's credit that has been harmed by wrongful denial.

Rep. Mike Huckleberry, D-Greenville, said the legislation would not only protect consumers but also protect whistle-blowers. Huckleberry said seven of 10 people filing bankruptcy for medical reasons have health insurance that should have covered their medical costs.

"I find that appalling. You pay your insurance, and you think you and your family are protected and safe and, when something tragic like a crash happens, (companies) look for a reason for denial," he said.

But industry leaders said there's already regulation in place to adequately protect consumers, and additional rules would be cumbersome and unnecessary.

"The majority of insurance companies and their employees in Michigan are doing a good job at handling claims quickly, efficiently and fairly," said Lori Conarton, communication director for the Insurance Institute Michigan, which represents a large portion of the state's insurance companies, "We think (legislators) should be focusing on jobs and the economy," she said.

Conarton also said there is concern about the message this proposed legislation sends insurance companies.

"We would love to find ways to bring insurance companies and have their headquarters here. Efforts like this do not bring insurance companies and their jobs to Michigan."

At a press conference in Grand Rapids on Monday, Huckleberry, representatives Mary Valentine, D-Norton Shores, and Robert Dean, D-Grand Rapids, vowed to pass the legislation they said would give "teeth" to current laws and would put the state in line with the rest of the country. It was one of five such press conferences staged across the state.

Michigan is one of four states -- including Louisiana, Massachusetts and Nebraska -- that doesn't have such protections.

"We're fighting to end that travesty," Valentine said.

Legislators set up a Web site, housedems.com/wrongful-denial, for those wanting to share their experience.

E-mail Nardy Bickel: nbickel@grpress.com