TAHU Update Volume No. 4 Issue No. 4 December 2002
December Meeting
Monday, December 16, 2002
Marriott at RTP
Exit 281, Miami Blvd.
11:45 am, Luncheon Meeting
DECEMBER GUEST SPEAKER
Jim Long
Insurance Commissioner
State of North Carolina
A native of Burlington, North Carolina, Jim Long was first elected to the statewide post of Insurance Commissioner in 1984, and re-elected in 1988, 1992, 1996 and 2000.
He is now the senior member of the Council of State, made up of the 10 statewide elected officials. As Insurance Commissioner, Long serves as State Fire Marshal. He chairs the NC Manufactured Housing Board, the Arson Awareness Council and serves as a member of numerous commissions and boards.
Long is the past president and vice president of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. The NAIC is a national organization of the chief insurance regulatory officials of the 50 states.
Soon after being elected to his first term as Insurance Commissioner, Long created the Seniors' Health Insurance Information Program. The program, known as SHIIP, trains senior volunteers to assist their peers with Medicare, Medicare supplement insurance, and long-term care insurance problems and questions.
As Insurance Commissioner, Long has emphasized consumer advocacy through fair rate making, injury prevention efforts and close regulation of insurance company solvency and industry practices.
SPONSORED BY
Health Care Savings
President's Message:
Sam King, CHC
The Christmas season is upon us. With it comes the opportunity to be near family and friends through holiday parties and dinners. To enjoy the excitement of finding a gift for someone who has holds a special place in your life. And of course if you haven't been too big a Scrooge the chance to enjoy a gift given to you from someone special. I hope your Holiday Season is extra special this year. We all could use one with all that is occurring in the world around us.
With the Christmas Season also comes the New Year. It will be one of surprises as every New Year proves to be. As members of TAHU we know our industry will be in the forefront of the news. I have read no less than four articles in the past week in the local and national newspapers addressing the rising problem of the uninsured, the rising costs of health insurance premiums, and the hardships that are being incurred throughout the nation from these situations. I have also read where the United Kingdom is looking to change their State run program. As members of NAHU it is important that we address the public with the solutions NAHU has presented. Items such as the Tax Credit for employers to supplement the purchase of health insurance by employees is but one of NAHU's solutions. The lessening of the legislative reins would also be of a service in lowering costs I believe we would all agree. Go to www.ncah.org and be familiar with what your Association has proposed and supports. We have been and continue to be the one source for answers other than "let the government run it" for the nation.
I encourage you to be active in our local Association. I encourage you to participate in the coming year when we have our Day on the Hill in Raleigh (3/20/03). I encourage you to participate on a national level by going to the Capital Conference and meet with your elected Senators and House of Representative members (3/23/03). If we the individuals work daily in the industry are not the ones to forge the solution to the problems who will be?
Have a Merry Holiday Season, plan your way to a Successful New Year and be sure to come to the December 16 meeting and meet our Commissioner of Insurance for the Sate of North Carolina, Jim Long. Lets make Mr. Long have to wear his other hat as State Fire Marshal by having an overflow crowd on the 3rd Monday of December.
Note: Please e-mail or fax Tom Snell your reservation. We want the buffet to be ready for the crowd.
New Legislative News:
Bill Hendrickson
"You better watch out, you better not cry"---Santa Claus Al Gore now advocates a single-payer health care system. Just two and one-half years ago, he criticized Bill Bradley's support of single-payer, but now Gore has flip-flopped back onto the single-payer bandwagon. But others are vehemently opposed to such nonsense, namely the citizens of Oregon who voted 80% against a ballot issue advocating single-payer in that state. But we must keep our guard up as the realities of higher health care and insurance costs along with the unending millions without any insurance continue to make headlines. Our health insurance profession must provide the answers to solve these major national issues.
On the North Carolina legislative front, the last Legislative Session passed a technical correction bill that clarified the concept that short term limited duration health insurance products are not subject to HIPAA and its pre-existing conditions provisions. Another bill involving managed care gives a plan participant a few extra days (seven days from the day the participant receives the notice) to submit additional information to an independent review board.
More disquieting news on the cost front, we've been reading and talking about how small employers are cutting back or eliminating health insurance coverage. Well, the giants of American industry are also facing higher costs along with slower profits and are making their own changes. The Wall Street Journal of November 26 reported the following:
Wal-Mart plans to drop chiropractic coverage next year
Goodyear, Ford Motor and DaimlerChrysler are suspending their matching 401(k) contributions
General Motors and DuPont both are substantially increasing the premium retirees must pay for their health insurance
General Electric in its "Health Care Preferred" HMO plan is increasing almost all co-pays.
What all this means, of course, is that all insured persons must dig a little deeper into their own pockets to pay for their medical expenses.
At the Federal level, the National Academy of Sciences, in a report requested by Congress, said that all Federal health care programs (Medicare, Medicaid, veterans plans, CHIP, etc) should establish standards of quality, assess the performance of each health care provider and reward the high quality performers with higher fees or bonuses. Some 100,000,000 Americans are affected by these various plans and the report says that with measures of performance tied to rewards, the quality of care is bound to improve. An interesting concept, and one that apparently Congress, employers, insurers and some health care providers are willing to accept.
Three health care issues the 108th Congress plans to initiate will be---- prescription drug legislation for the elderly, an $89 billion tax credit bill over ten years favored by the Administration, and a cap of $250,000 limit for pain and suffering and a limit for punitive damages to the greater of $250,000 or twice the amount of economic damages---dealing with malpractice awards. Keep your eyes and ears tuned to NAHU
for information about all these potential pieces of legislation.
AND REMEMBER OUR "DAYS ON THE HILL" (MARCH 18 & 19 IN RALEIGH) AND THE NATIONAL "CAP CONFERENCE" (MARCH 23-25). SEE YOU THERE!
Website:
www.nctahu.org
Michele Gregory, MHP, RHU, REBC
Our homepage has been decorated to celebrate the season: www.nctahu.org
Happy Holidays!
Michele Gregory, MHP, RHU, REBC
Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina
Email: michele.gregory@bcbsnc.com
Phone: 919.461.5271
Fax: (919) 467-2823
Membership Update:
Jennifer McLaurin
Please welcome our new members
Carolyn S. Colwell
North Carolina Association of County Commissioners
Kristy Littlejohn
Cigna
Phillip C. Burnette
The Burnette Financial Group
Rosemary C. Gillespe
Nancy M. Cole
Smart Care Insurance Agency
Communications:
Tom Snell, CLU, ChFC, RHU, REBC
Jim Long, Insurance Commissioner, NCDOI will be our speaker.
The next meeting will be held on December 16th, 2002 at the Marriott (Research Triangle Park, NC - Exit 281, Miami Blvd.).
All members and their guests are invited to attend. Guaranteed seating for the luncheon meeting is by reservation only.
Please RSVP no later than December 11th. Our menu for December will be a delight!
Tomato Florentine Soup
Tossed Garden Salad
Marinated Vegetable Salad
Dijon Chicken Breasts
Baked Chicken Breasts covered in Dijon Mustard
Shrimp and Scallop Creole
Mixed Medley of Steamed Vegetables
Rice Pilaf
Carrot Cake
If you are not receiving the monthly fax or e-mail invitation, please contact Tom Snell at MAMSI Health Plans @ 281-7205. You may RSVP for lunch to Tom @ Fax: 281-7222, or email to tsnell@mamsi.com.
Lunch is $12.00 for members. $16 for visitors.
As the success of the Triangle Association of Health Underwriters largely depends upon the benevolence of corporate contributors, we are proud to honor the following organizations for their continued support of our many programs and activities:
Diamond Sponsors
2002-2003
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of NC
United Healthcare
Health Care Savings
Please extend your appreciation to the Triangle members representing these organizations and remember their generosity when placing coverages.
Treasurer:
Jay Kennedy
Our fiscal year began 7/1/02, and will run through 6/30/03. If you would like to receive a copy of this year's budget, please let me know and I will be happy to provide you with a copy and also review this with you. Please keep in mind that any expenses over $250 have to be approved by the TAHU Board of Directors before approval can be granted to distribute said funds. Thank you for your continued financial support.
Triangle Association of Health Underwriters
P.O. Box 19177
Raleigh, NC 27619-9177
