I just received an email from my state senator to attend a sub-committee meeting regarding the bill that establishes Iowa's exchange. I was kind of taken aback. I don't know what the agenda is, so I can't really prepare anything yet, but I can't see any reason not to accept the invitation. If you were in my shoes, what information would you want to provide if given the floor, and what questions (beyond the obvious compensation) would you ask?
Legislative Invitation
- Thread starter timsip
- Start date
- 1,896
Something about how the public will be protected from navigators offering incorrect advice and not carrying E&O. Along the lines of a "lack of consumer protection" since that terminology always riles up everyone, Dem or Rep.
- 1,007
I would explain the current role you play and how you can assist others come 2014. IMO, Agents will play a vital role helping millions of people find thier way.
"In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity" Albert Einstein.
- Thread starter
- #5
Well, as I stated in another thread, I have just returned from the hearing and it was less than exciting, but it was quite interesting. I was not expecting a full house and with the one hour time frame minus the 10 minutes that the meeting was late in beginning, I was not given an opportunity to contribute, but since this was a sub-committee meeting, I did learn who to reach out to as this bill goes forward. The bill can be read here. The concerns that were raised by more than one party was Section 9: Navigators; more specifically Section 9(c). You will see that it allows navigators to facilitate the enrollment. The concern is that Navigators can not be required to be licensed producers, but would be allowed to enroll consumers similarly to what agents are able to do.
Another major concern was the consumer. Now I don't want to start a political attack, but the Republicans on the committee asked the Democrats if a consumer gets signed up on a plan through the advice of a navigator and doesn't like it or has problems with the plan, who does the consumer call? In fact one of the senators went straight to the example that if he has problems, he can simply call his agent and know that he has someone in his corner to help fight for him. The Democrat across the table said that the consumer has to be responsible for his own decision and can contact the plan or the navigator and the navigator can answer questions. It took just about all the constraint I could muster not to jump in at that point as I probably would have been walked out.
None of these concerns were addressed, but the bill moved out of sub-committee and into the Commerce Committee. At least now I know who I need to court to help create amendments.
Another major concern was the consumer. Now I don't want to start a political attack, but the Republicans on the committee asked the Democrats if a consumer gets signed up on a plan through the advice of a navigator and doesn't like it or has problems with the plan, who does the consumer call? In fact one of the senators went straight to the example that if he has problems, he can simply call his agent and know that he has someone in his corner to help fight for him. The Democrat across the table said that the consumer has to be responsible for his own decision and can contact the plan or the navigator and the navigator can answer questions. It took just about all the constraint I could muster not to jump in at that point as I probably would have been walked out.
None of these concerns were addressed, but the bill moved out of sub-committee and into the Commerce Committee. At least now I know who I need to court to help create amendments.
- 15,041
That is wild. Since when do Democrats preach personal responsibility?
It sounds like your time was well spent, and you were successful in that you learned what the hot topics are, and who you should reach out to. That's a great step. As we all can see, it's important to be involved in the process, because these laws have consequences!
I see an opportunity for you:
c. Facilitate enrollment in qualified health benefit plans offered through the marketplace or in health benefit plans offered outside the marketplace by referring consumers to insurance producers and to the marketplace internet site for enrollment.
c. Facilitate enrollment in qualified health benefit plans offered through the marketplace or in health benefit plans offered outside the marketplace by referring consumers to insurance producers and to the marketplace internet site for enrollment.
- 1,896
That was my first thought reading the comments. But at least it wasn't brought up that we are overpaid/underworked/stealing from the consumer. I guess we've got that going for us (at least in IA, that is).
- Thread starter
- #10
I have already been invited by the one senator that I knew I could court. The next meeting is the full committee, but no participation from the public, just witnessing. To be continued....
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You see that is the problem, in the above, it states that a navigator can enroll consumers in a qualified health benefit plan, then if you look at #2, it states "An entity selected and licensed as a navigator shall not engage in any activities that require licensure as an insurance producer under chapter 522B unless the entity is also licensed as an insurance producer." It is against federal rules to have only licensed insurance producers as navigators, but these two areas show a serious conflict of direction.
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