PIA Perturbed with house
healthcare “Reform” Bill

WASHINGTON—The House-passed healthcare bill that

debuted recently has several areas of concern to members of

the National Association of Professional Insurance Agents.

Move Over Tolstoy “Although we are still combing through the 1,990-page bill — which it has been noted is longer than ‘War and Peace’ — PIA has already spotted a few provisions that are of concern,” said Mike Becker, PIA national director of federal affairs.

Agents Can Play Through

While we are heartened that a provision allowing insurance agents and brokers under state law to participate in providing coverage to individuals and employers in quali-

fied health plans offered through insurance exchanges was included, we are concerned with language added under a subsection entitled “Assistance for Small Employers” that designates the Small Business Administration (SBA) to design a program for small businesses.

Government Competition

This provision mandates that the SBA set up what is, in essence, a “navigators” program. SBA is required to provide educational activities to small businesses, along with distribution of information and “enrollment and plan selection assistance for employers” for health plans available under the Health Insurance Exchange.

continued on page 8

FIWT elects New Officers

In This Issue

Gov. Perry hectors hUD

John Graham – Salespeople Under Siege: The Profession Redefined 4

IIABA Disappointed with Senate Democratic health Care Bill 10

harleysville Mutual Acquires Delta Lloyds’ Flood Business

State Regulators Support Changes to Federal Insurance Office Act 14

Consumer Tips for the 2009 Medicare enrollment Period

Newly elected FIWT officers include, left to right, Teri Jones, Linda Saupp, Conya Harris, JoAnna Ringel, and Mary Gunn. continued on page 8

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:

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