Agents Take On Capitol Hill
By: Margarita Tapia
A thousand Big “I” independent insurance agents and brokers, representing 49 states, were in Washington, D.C., in April to lobby members of the House and Senate and their staffs on pressing issues that directly impact the independent agency system. Big “I” agents had a hugely successful day on the hill. Big “I” members also took part in their annual pilgrimage to Capitol Hill to remind the nation’s decision makers that independent agents are in every state and in every district. During the meetings, Big “I” agents and brokers discussed health care reform, the flood insurance program, agent licensing reform, insurance regulatory reform and crop insurance.
HEALTH CARE REFORM: Earlier this year, Reps. Mike Rogers (R-Mich.) and John Barrow (D-Ga.) introduced H.R. 1206, the “Access to Professional Health Insurance Advisors Act of 2011,” which would help protect consumer access to agents and brokers by excluding agent compensation from the Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) formula. Members of the House of Representatives were asked to co-sponsor the bipartisan H.R. 1206. Agents asked senators to act on this issue as well and noted that, unlike much of the new health care law, the MLR regulations are already damaging the market and have only been in effect since Jan. 1, 2011.
FLOOD INSURANCE: As the vehicle that delivers flood insurance to tens of thousands of homeowners and businesses across the country, the Big “I” supports the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Agents lobbied Congress to pass a long-term extension of the program and to reform it by phasing out most subsidies and modernizing certain coverages. In the House, the association supports H.R. 1309, the “Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2011,” introduced by Rep. Judy Biggert (R-Ill.) earlier this year. During their meetings with members of Congress, Big “I” agents and brokers also stressed the association’s strong opposition to any effort to eliminate the NFIP, including H.R. 435, the “National Flood Insurance Program Elimination Act” by Rep. Candice Miller (R-Mich.).
AGENT LICENSING REFORM: This year, the Big “I” continues to advocate for agent licensing reform, and agents urged members of the House to co-sponsor H.R. 1112, NARAB II, by Reps. Randy Neugebauer (R-Texas) and David Scott (D-Ga.). Several members of the House listened to their state’s delegation and agreed to co-sponsor the bipartisan bill during the meetings, once again proving the effectiveness of the Big “I” annual visit to Capitol Hill.
INSURANCE REGULATORY REFORM: Big “I” agents urged Congress to ensure that the new Federal Insurance Office (FIO), which is merely an information office, does not exceed its limited mandate. The association continues to guard against efforts that could hurt independent insurance agents and brokers, particularly the misguided “optional” federal charter or mandatory federal regulation of insurance.
CROP INSURANCE: Alarmingly, the Federal Crop Insurance Program (FCIP) has sustained more than $10 billion in cuts over the past four years. In April, Big “I” agents stormed Capitol Hill to ask Congress to limit any further cuts to the program as they consider the 2012 Farm Bill. Additionally, agents asked their representatives to consider a legislative fix to the unreasonable agent commission caps implemented in the 2011 Standard Reinsurance Agreement (SRA). Big “I” members stressed the importance of this safety net to protect America’s farmers and ranchers.
The best lobbyists are the agents who live, work, vote and are active in each state and congressional district. One agent’s meeting with their representative or senator could make the difference in how that member of Congress votes on legislation that could help or hurt the entire independent agency system. The process doesn’t stop after the annual Legislative Conference & Convention, but continues with the Big “I” government affairs team in Washington and through the association’s ongoing grassroots efforts. Want to get involved? E-mail IIABAGrassroots@iiaba.net.
Margarita Tapia (margarita.tapia@iiaba.net) is Big “I” director of public affairs.
InsurPac Major Donor Event Hosts More Than 50 Members of Congress
The second annual InsurPac Major Donor Appreciation Reception was one of several events during the Big “I” Legislative Conference and Convention that featured members of Congress and was hailed as another huge success. The reception was exclusively for InsurPac donors who contributed $1,000 or more in the last calendar year.
More than 50 members of Congress came to the Big “I” Capitol Hill office, and several members of the House remarked that they had never seen such a large congressional turnout at any private venue. These comments further demonstrate the relationships and reputation the Big “I” has been able to develop and cultivate with the help of InsurPac.
In disbursing contributions, InsurPac does not look at party affiliation but supports elected officials and candidates for federal office who have been advocates and supporters of the independent agency system and small business. As a result, InsurPac has an impressive bipartisan track record in Congress and on the campaign trail.
For more information about InsurPac, contact Nathan Riedel (nathan.riedel@iiaba.net), Big “I” vice president of political affairs, at 202-863-7000.
—M.T.
HEALTH CARE REFORM: Earlier this year, Reps. Mike Rogers (R-Mich.) and John Barrow (D-Ga.) introduced H.R. 1206, the “Access to Professional Health Insurance Advisors Act of 2011,” which would help protect consumer access to agents and brokers by excluding agent compensation from the Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) formula. Members of the House of Representatives were asked to co-sponsor the bipartisan H.R. 1206. Agents asked senators to act on this issue as well and noted that, unlike much of the new health care law, the MLR regulations are already damaging the market and have only been in effect since Jan. 1, 2011.
FLOOD INSURANCE: As the vehicle that delivers flood insurance to tens of thousands of homeowners and businesses across the country, the Big “I” supports the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Agents lobbied Congress to pass a long-term extension of the program and to reform it by phasing out most subsidies and modernizing certain coverages. In the House, the association supports H.R. 1309, the “Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2011,” introduced by Rep. Judy Biggert (R-Ill.) earlier this year. During their meetings with members of Congress, Big “I” agents and brokers also stressed the association’s strong opposition to any effort to eliminate the NFIP, including H.R. 435, the “National Flood Insurance Program Elimination Act” by Rep. Candice Miller (R-Mich.).
AGENT LICENSING REFORM: This year, the Big “I” continues to advocate for agent licensing reform, and agents urged members of the House to co-sponsor H.R. 1112, NARAB II, by Reps. Randy Neugebauer (R-Texas) and David Scott (D-Ga.). Several members of the House listened to their state’s delegation and agreed to co-sponsor the bipartisan bill during the meetings, once again proving the effectiveness of the Big “I” annual visit to Capitol Hill.
INSURANCE REGULATORY REFORM: Big “I” agents urged Congress to ensure that the new Federal Insurance Office (FIO), which is merely an information office, does not exceed its limited mandate. The association continues to guard against efforts that could hurt independent insurance agents and brokers, particularly the misguided “optional” federal charter or mandatory federal regulation of insurance.
CROP INSURANCE: Alarmingly, the Federal Crop Insurance Program (FCIP) has sustained more than $10 billion in cuts over the past four years. In April, Big “I” agents stormed Capitol Hill to ask Congress to limit any further cuts to the program as they consider the 2012 Farm Bill. Additionally, agents asked their representatives to consider a legislative fix to the unreasonable agent commission caps implemented in the 2011 Standard Reinsurance Agreement (SRA). Big “I” members stressed the importance of this safety net to protect America’s farmers and ranchers.
The best lobbyists are the agents who live, work, vote and are active in each state and congressional district. One agent’s meeting with their representative or senator could make the difference in how that member of Congress votes on legislation that could help or hurt the entire independent agency system. The process doesn’t stop after the annual Legislative Conference & Convention, but continues with the Big “I” government affairs team in Washington and through the association’s ongoing grassroots efforts. Want to get involved? E-mail IIABAGrassroots@iiaba.net.
Margarita Tapia (margarita.tapia@iiaba.net) is Big “I” director of public affairs.
InsurPac Major Donor Event Hosts More Than 50 Members of Congress
The second annual InsurPac Major Donor Appreciation Reception was one of several events during the Big “I” Legislative Conference and Convention that featured members of Congress and was hailed as another huge success. The reception was exclusively for InsurPac donors who contributed $1,000 or more in the last calendar year.
More than 50 members of Congress came to the Big “I” Capitol Hill office, and several members of the House remarked that they had never seen such a large congressional turnout at any private venue. These comments further demonstrate the relationships and reputation the Big “I” has been able to develop and cultivate with the help of InsurPac.
In disbursing contributions, InsurPac does not look at party affiliation but supports elected officials and candidates for federal office who have been advocates and supporters of the independent agency system and small business. As a result, InsurPac has an impressive bipartisan track record in Congress and on the campaign trail.
For more information about InsurPac, contact Nathan Riedel (nathan.riedel@iiaba.net), Big “I” vice president of political affairs, at 202-863-7000.
—M.T.
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