tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35858056591066010732011-07-07T14:49:55.133-07:00CAHUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11918294075280635400noreply@blogger.comBlogger411100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585805659106601073.post-59421131191598734002010-02-22T12:03:00.000-08:002010-02-22T13:47:16.850-08:00

Neil CrosbyVP of Public AffairsMany members have requested a letter they can send to their clients regarding the ongoing health care reform discussion being waged at the Federal level and how we as agents and brokers can respond. Therefore, I have drafted a letter below for you to edit and use in reaching out to your clients about our perspective on these discussions. Please contact me if you

Patrice Lorettanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585805659106601073.post-52850480686398128832009-12-23T16:41:00.000-08:002009-12-23T16:47:14.053-08:00

In addition to NAHU's detailed analyses and formal letter of opposition, the following are the most serious concerns NAHU has with H.R. 3590, as amended:• A minimum loss ratio requirement that applies to all fully insured plans including grandfathered plans as of January 1, 2011, which will negatively impact coverage choice and affordability, especially during the transition time prior to 2014

Patrice Lorettanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585805659106601073.post-65307863224735841292009-12-23T09:47:00.000-08:002009-12-23T09:54:04.065-08:00

On Monday, December 21st, President Obama enacted legislation extending certain provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 related to the COBRA continuation coverage subsidy.The new provisions do the following:Change the end date of eligibility for the COBRA ARRA subsidy from December 31, 2009 to February 28, 2010 (a two-month extension) Expand the ARRA premium subsidy to

Patrice Lorettanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585805659106601073.post-70466645247554836662009-11-19T11:00:00.000-08:002009-11-19T11:05:06.586-08:00

As you may know, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) released a merged version of the Senate comprehensive reform legislation last night, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, or H.R. 3590. NAHU is in the process of reading through the 2,074-page bill and will include a detailed analysis in tomorrow's edition of Washington Update. In addition, we will provide talking points and

Patrice Lorettanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585805659106601073.post-21799600907861842352009-09-04T09:23:00.000-07:002009-09-04T17:10:55.559-07:00

Neil CrosbyCAHU Vice President of Public AffairsAs I am reading about the most recent casualty of a Health Care Reform gathering Wednesday night in the LA area where a portion of a person's finger was bitten off by a demonstrator from MoveOn.org, which is a group focused on pushing for the type of reform that President Obama is calling for and who would really like to see more government

Neil Crosbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01897241938254067388noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585805659106601073.post-42871698014278772172009-07-15T13:52:00.000-07:002009-07-15T13:57:46.085-07:00

I am forwarding the e-mail below from CAHU member Ron Masters, that was issued as a result of today's NAHU orchestrated "Fly-In" to DC of 1000+ agents form several agent organizations in America. This news is indeed very inspiring !!!=====================================From: "Ron Masters" Date: Wed, 15 Jul 2009 12:04:38 -0700Subject: NAHU may have saved Agents' Job!Friends,Below is a message I

Bill Robinson- CAHU V-P of Legislationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08743848584550790841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585805659106601073.post-78795681707250435832009-05-13T15:37:00.000-07:002009-05-13T15:46:58.934-07:00

The recent federal stimulus plan provides for a 65% reduction in COBRA premiums for eligible individuals for up to nine months. Assembly Bill 23 (AB 23) requires insurers to mail a notice of the right to elect Cal-COBRA health insurance coverage to everyone who was laid off between September 1, 2008 and December 31, 2009. This includes current Cal-COBRA recipients and allows them to choose the

Patrice Lorettanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585805659106601073.post-71758632884454263542009-04-24T16:47:00.000-07:002009-04-24T17:09:55.453-07:00

For all CAHU Members who responded to our AB 1521 Operation Drumbeat E-Mail Action Alert...THANK YOU SO MUCH! We can't thank you enough for taking the time to respond to CAHU's Operation Drumbeat. YOUR pressure made all the difference in making it possible for CAHU to succeed in totally changing this bill! This past week, AB 1521 was gutted and amended to remove both the commission disclosure and

Bill Robinson- CAHU V-P of Legislationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08743848584550790841noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585805659106601073.post-50829267332614783662009-03-23T14:58:00.000-07:002009-03-23T15:12:01.644-07:00

Congratulations to Craig Gussin of the San Diego Association of Health Underwriters for his continued outreach into the community and his recent appearance on San Diego's Channel 6 News as a part of their coverage on the new ARRA COBRA changes.In addition to doing an excellent job on ARRA COBRA, Craig also touted the importance of working with your own professional agent who should be a member of

Sam Smith, Vice President-Public Affairsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585805659106601073.post-9727748376040280192009-03-06T10:07:00.000-08:002009-03-06T10:50:09.371-08:00

Sam Smith, CFPVice President, Public AffairsCalifornia Association of Health UnderwritersFriday, March 6, 2009Sacramento Business JournalPoizner Showcases Web Site With Information on Health InsuranceOn Thursday, California State Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner (R) showcased the website www.coverageforall.org intended to highlight health insurance options for unemployed people, according to

Sam Smith, Vice President-Public Affairsnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585805659106601073.post-15298581898508096192009-02-08T18:15:00.000-08:002009-02-09T10:27:14.229-08:00

I am posting this meaningful message taken from NAHU's B2B Internet discussion group. As posted 2/7/2009 on NAHU B2Bby Tom Gibson - Senior Market Services - Camas, WA (he is a NAHU member but not a CAHU member)You would think that over 20 years of insurance reform and over a thousand state and federal mandates later someone might have realized that trying to cure our health care system through

Bill Robinson- CAHU V-P of Legislationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08743848584550790841noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585805659106601073.post-39095787024885322752009-02-03T07:28:00.000-08:002009-02-04T14:59:37.932-08:00

MD Sam Smith, CFPCAHU VP, Public AffairsOn January 26th, the California Association of Health Underwriters was invited to give testimony at the first public hearing by California State Auditor Elaine Howle to solicit comments about the processes that should be established for individuals to apply to become members of the new Commission established by the California Voters First Act (Proposition

Sam Smith, Vice President-Public Affairsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585805659106601073.post-31741626212839816372009-01-19T11:04:00.000-08:002009-01-19T11:13:19.357-08:00

Kansas City Star, (Diane Stafford)MD Sam Smith, CFPCAHU VP, Public Affairs“If you’ve lost your health insurance in a layoff…If you’re confused about which retirement health plan you should take…If you’re buried under hospital bills and don’t know what to do next…Steve Luptak feels your pain.”So begins a recent newspaper story about Steve Luptak, a member of a growing cottage industry of

Sam Smith, Vice President-Public Affairsnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585805659106601073.post-78157545095072788792009-01-03T14:30:00.000-08:002009-01-03T14:37:39.743-08:00

The Hollywood Chamber of CommerceHealth Care Committee-LAAHUHealth Care Discussion Meeting December 30, 2008On Thursday, December 30th, thirty two participants attended the Health Care Community Discussion hosted by the Health Care Committee of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by the Saban Free Clinic of Los Angeles and Genesis SmithBenton, a local employee benefits consulting

Sam Smith, Vice President-Public Affairsnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585805659106601073.post-14222289284764263512008-12-15T16:56:00.001-08:002008-12-17T08:13:49.672-08:00

Bill RobinsonVP of LegislationI ask you, as a member of CAHU, to read the important message below and then please seriously consider holding one of these "health care community discussions in homes, churches or even a local coffee shop, anytime from December 15 through the end of the year."This is one way in which NAHU members from all over America CAN have a voice in the health care reforms to

Patrice Lorettanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585805659106601073.post-73905966821111050132008-11-16T08:57:00.000-08:002008-11-16T09:00:08.380-08:00

Sam Smith, CFPCAHU VP Public AffairsNAHU Statement on Senator Baucus’ Blueprint for Health Care Reform (Arlington, VA) – Janet Trautwein, CEO of the National Association of Health Underwriters (NAHU), issued the following statement in response to the health care reform proposal released by Senator Max Baucus:“The National Association of Health Underwriters (NAHU) congratulates Senator Baucus for

Sam Smith, Vice President-Public Affairsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585805659106601073.post-34194274003596568212008-11-05T15:08:00.000-08:002008-11-05T16:00:39.230-08:00

Sam SmithCAHU VP Public RelationsAt 10am on Wednesday, November 5th, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger gathered the key leaders of the Yes On Prop 11 Campaign on the steps of the Los Angeles City Hall and declared victory in his fight to bring redistricting reform to the California legislature. Flanked by Campaign Co-Chairs Jeannine English, California State President, AARP; Janis R. Hirohama,

Sam Smith, Vice President-Public Affairsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585805659106601073.post-85303564285457527622008-10-31T15:35:00.000-07:002008-10-31T18:28:38.060-07:00

Sam Smith, CFPCAHU VP, Public AffairsWith just three days until Election Day, Proposition 11, California's redistricting measure is headed for victory, but a large undecided block of voters still threatens this important reform. The California Association of Health Underwriters has invested heavily in time, talent and resources to help make this reform a reality.The Field Poll released today

Sam Smith, Vice President-Public Affairsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585805659106601073.post-29740722261950973762008-10-21T16:02:00.000-07:002008-10-21T16:21:45.012-07:00

Sam Smith, CAHU VP of Public AffairsAs we enter the final stretch of this year's general election, all indications point toward Democratic victories across the board nationally. The Presidency, 3 United States Senate seats and 16 US House of Representatives seats. Not my statistics, these are the conservative projections of Republican strategists. While this will create a challenging landscape

Sam Smith, Vice President-Public Affairsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585805659106601073.post-17039680611479475222008-10-13T15:58:00.000-07:002008-10-14T12:29:36.211-07:00

I have just completed my annual year-end report on the details of the most important new health insurance laws form the 2008 legislative session and signed into law by the Governor. Every CAHU member should be aware of the content of these laws, as they affect all of us to one degree or another. You may download the PDF document for this 4 page report from the "Bills & Legislation" section on the

Bill Robinson- CAHU V-P of Legislationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08743848584550790841noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585805659106601073.post-24751105778627875072008-09-30T21:19:00.000-07:002008-09-30T23:42:27.286-07:00

To All CAHU Members......CAHU has GREAT NEWS for you! ! !As of late Tuesday, September 30 (the deadline for the Governor to sign or veto some 900 bills passed by our state legislature), among the many bills he vetoed were many health care related bills......among which were.....AB 1945 - Individual Health Plan Rescission Bill -VETOEDSB 1440 - 85% Medical Loss Ratio Bill -VETOEDSB 840 - Single

Bill Robinson- CAHU V-P of Legislationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08743848584550790841noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585805659106601073.post-79974145765149243192008-09-29T09:54:00.000-07:002008-09-29T10:38:34.059-07:00

Sam SmithCAHU VP, Public AffairsIt has been said that "freedom of choice is a universal principle to which there should be no exceptions". Actually, it was Mikhail Gorbachev who made this statement in an address to the United Nations on December 7, 1988. Mr. Gorbachev was right. Freedom to choose to succeed and freedom to choose to fail are certainly paramount in the list of choices we make every

Sam Smith, Vice President-Public Affairsnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585805659106601073.post-24060681839730376712008-09-01T13:03:00.000-07:002008-09-01T16:08:37.901-07:00

2007-2008 Legislative Session-Chaos and CompromiseSam SmithCAHU VP Public RelationsWhile the majority of Californians enjoyed the Labor Day holiday, both the California State Senate and Assembly were busy doing what they do best (and what that actually is would be good fodder for debate). In describing the closing hours of this session, Assemblyman Roger Niello, a Republican from California's 5th

Sam Smith, Vice President-Public Affairsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585805659106601073.post-11406634348925782752008-08-28T08:09:00.000-07:002008-08-28T08:59:20.188-07:00

Operation Drumbeat-a resounding success!Sam SmithCAHU VP Public AffairsAll across California, members of our association answered the call to initiate Operation Drumbeat messages to their assembly members regarding SB 1522 (Steinberg), the individual health insurance 5 coverage choice categories legislation. I am pleased to report the response to this call for action was nearly DOUBLE the

Sam Smith, Vice President-Public Affairsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585805659106601073.post-83204601870512252892008-08-16T18:16:00.000-07:002008-08-16T18:21:57.621-07:00

Sam SmithCAHU VP, Public AffairsThis bill, authored by Sen. Darrell Steinberg, Senate President Pro Tem in waiting and in the “honeymoon stage of his ascension” (to quote Alan Katz of http://www.alankatz.wordpress.com/ ) will categorize products in the individual health insurance market in to five classes of plans and specifically eliminate an entire class of affordable plans currently providing

Sam Smith, Vice President-Public Affairsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585805659106601073.post-77599230501588191712008-08-12T13:03:00.000-07:002008-08-12T13:14:26.341-07:00

Sam SmithCAHU VP, Public AffairsIn the last week, Senator Sheila Kuehl’s Single Payer SB840 was voted out of the Assembly Appropriations Committee and is currently on its way to the Assembly floor for a final vote. If the bill passes in the Assembly, SB840 returns to the Senate floor for concurrence and then it goes to the Governor’s desk for signature or veto.SB840 is expected to be voted on in

Sam Smith, Vice President-Public Affairsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585805659106601073.post-19374248790618952252008-07-26T14:56:00.000-07:002008-07-26T15:09:44.689-07:00

Public Affairs Bulletin MD Sam Smith, Vice President, Public AffairsCAHU Endorses Proposition 11July 26, 2008 For more than a decade, the California Association of Health Underwriters has worked to establish itself as a relevant, strong and respected participant in California political arena. This effort has been made in preparation for the day when our association and its

Sam Smith, Vice President-Public Affairsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585805659106601073.post-86093437038656352442008-07-12T19:29:00.000-07:002008-07-13T20:21:38.926-07:00

California is suffering badly from a dysfunctional, polarized legislature. Almost all of its 120 members are either far left Democrats or far right Republicans, with neither side of the aisle remotely willing to compromise and work with the "other side" for the benefit of California's residents and businesses. That is one of the reasons why every election has so many ballot initiatives- 12 or

Bill Robinson- CAHU V-P of Legislationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08743848584550790841noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585805659106601073.post-32808925057212002372008-07-12T12:12:00.001-07:002008-07-12T12:33:53.870-07:00

On Wednesday, July 16th, at 9:00 am, Senator Kuehl’s single payer health care bill, SB840, will be heard in the Assembly Appropriations Committee in the State Capitol, Room 4202. This will be SB840’s last committee appearance for this year.The Appropriations Committee has 17 members. Of those members, 12 are Democrats and 5 are Republicans. The bill will require 9 YEA votes to be passed out of

Sam Smith, Vice President-Public Affairsnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585805659106601073.post-5939506269179984852008-07-04T11:43:00.001-07:002008-07-04T11:51:43.974-07:00

July 4, 2008On July 2nd, 2008, the Board of Directors of the California Association of Health Underwriters unanimously endorsed Proposition 11, the California Voters FIRST Act, which will take the take the task of drawing legislative district boundaries away from the legislature and put it in the hands of a truly independent commission. Year after year, partisan gridlock prevents our state

Sam Smith, Vice President-Public Affairsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585805659106601073.post-21640021609438108872008-06-23T15:20:00.000-07:002008-11-12T21:34:40.793-08:00

By Kym Hopwood, VP of LegislationCAHU Members: Thank you to the 172, (yes, 172!!!), members who took time out of their busy schedules to attend this year's Day at the Capitol held on May 20th. This is the annual opportunity for members to meet with their local representatives to voice our views on legislation that impacts our clients and our livelihoods.As with every legislative session, there

Patrice Lorettanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585805659106601073.post-72003972511811422872008-03-24T08:22:00.000-07:002008-03-24T08:37:21.005-07:00

Normally I take everything that comes out of Consumer Watchdog (formerly the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights) with a grain of salt. OK, with truckloads of salt, mountains of skepticism, and continents of doubt. Jamie Court is passionate about his causes, but he's also a political showman and an ideologue -- a dangerous combination.But even a broken clock is right twice a day. And in

Alan Katznoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585805659106601073.post-60797267540949033142008-03-10T17:15:00.000-07:002008-03-11T19:46:43.525-07:00

A few bad apples can harm the reputation of an entire grove. And too many bad apples have been engaged in selling Medicare-related insurance products. As a result, Congress is considering legislation that could have far-reaching implications for all agents.Regional Vice President Bruce Benton sent me a copy of a letter NAHU has sent to regulators and Congress concerning the sale of Medicare

Alan Katznoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585805659106601073.post-88884848256550964052008-02-14T21:52:00.001-08:002008-02-14T22:04:42.060-08:00

Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez recently announced that there was no chance comprehensive health care reform would pass in 2008. He did, however, say there were likely to be several "piecemeal" bills considered and enacted this year.My guess is that components of Assembly Bill X1-1, the reform package Speaker Nunez worked out with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, will wind on the table. I'm not sure

Alan Katznoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585805659106601073.post-8484362874750688752008-01-30T21:35:00.001-08:002008-01-30T21:55:00.376-08:00

CAHU worked hard to help Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Speaker Fabian Nunez and Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata fashion responsible, workable comprehensive health care reform. Several of our ideas found their way into the compromise reform package, Assembly Bill X1-1.Unfortunately, there were many elements of the legislation we couldn't support. We communicated those concerns to the

Alan Katznoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585805659106601073.post-21341080537814302512008-01-28T15:41:00.001-08:002008-01-28T16:28:15.129-08:00

AB1X-X(Nunez) was defeated in the Senate Health Committee today on a 7 no votes, 1 yes vote and 3 not voting hearing. This is a stunning reversal of fortune for the Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. It 's down fall began last week when Senator Sheila Kuehl the Chair of the Senate Health Committee held an 11 hour hearing on the bill. A financial analysis prepared

Steven J Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03924075639468138091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585805659106601073.post-48551807971795759192008-01-25T14:04:00.000-08:002008-01-25T14:57:35.640-08:00

The Senate Health Committee held an 11-hour hearing on Assembly Bill X1-1, the health care reform package developed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez. CAHU’s Steven Lindsay was among the dozens of witnesses who provided input on the legislation.While numerous speakers testified in favor of the bill, even more sought amendments to ABX1-1, or its defeat. Of

CAHUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11918294075280635400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585805659106601073.post-69410768518048268782008-01-22T11:07:00.000-08:002008-01-22T11:19:56.200-08:00

The analysis shows 113 groups submitted position letters on AB1X-X. The comments from only 27 were included in the analysis and we were one of them. A testament I believe to the strengths of our concerns about the bill. Please find below the text as reported in the Analysis."The California Association of Health Underwriters (CAHU) and the National Associationof Insurance and Financial Advisors –

Steven J Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03924075639468138091noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585805659106601073.post-11078666875144255522008-01-21T15:31:00.001-08:002008-01-21T15:42:14.219-08:00

On Friday the Senate Health Committee released its analysis of AB1X-X. Below is a link to that analysis, all 66 pages. It is however broken down into sections by subject and I encourage you to make time in your busy schedule to read the section on market reform, individual mandate and purchasing pools.http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/postquery?bill_number=abx1_1&sess=CUR&house=A&author=nunez

Steven J Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03924075639468138091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585805659106601073.post-90931925233829506122008-01-21T10:18:00.000-08:002008-01-21T10:27:40.206-08:00

The Senate Health Committee has scheduled an extensive hearing on Assembly Bill X1-1, the compromise health care reform legislation hammered out by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez. The hearing will begin mid-morning on January 23rd and is expected to go into the evening.This is the first meaningful vetting of this version of ABX1-1. The bill was published the same

Alan Katznoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585805659106601073.post-78771745137121838302008-01-17T12:30:00.000-08:002008-01-17T12:33:06.659-08:00

First, welcome to the CAHU Legislative & Public Affairs Blog. I hope this becomes a great asset to the CAHU community.Second, there's this bill. It's called Assembly Bill ABX1-1 although it's official name is the Health Care Security and Cost Reduction Act. It's before the State Senate and it's important.ABX1-1 is the compromise health care reform package worked out by Governor Arnold

Alan Katznoreply@blogger.com1