The General Assembly recognizes the importance of effectively managed and economical insurance and health management funding products and services to the citizens of the State of Georgia. It is further recognized that the citizens of Georgia should receive adequate insurance and health management funding products and services at the lowest reasonable cost to the consumer while maintaining the ability of insurance and health management funding companies to furnish their products and services. It is further recognized that the Insurance Department has been established for the purpose, among other things, of regulating insurance and health management funding companies, the rates which they charge the consumer, and for representing the public interest. The General Assembly is aware, however, that the department and the Commissioner must be furnished with all available information concerning the effects of its decisions in any proceedings before it. It is the purpose of this chapter to ensure that the department and the Commissioner receive such information, particularly in those cases that directly involve Georgia's citizens. It is further the intent of the General Assembly that consumers have reasonable choices among the products and services offered by insurance and health management funding companies and that these companies are accountable to consumers.