Just got this email from the Vice President of my wholesaler for Blue Cross/Blue Shield.....
[FONT="]I attended a meeting yesterday with Burke King, President Anthem VA. His clear and unequivocal concern not only for the industry but for agents was disconcerting and worrisome. I have known him for 10 years; he is reserved and not inclined toward hyperbole. He indicated that agents will be out of business if the administration is successful with the congress in passing legislation to dismantle health insurance as it exists today which seems likely as of this date. Current proposals call for 1% commission for brokers at best if not their complete elimination![/FONT]
[FONT="]The President is trying to include a “reconciliation” provision in the budget which means that discussion and final drafts of legislation (healthcare) is conducted behind closed doors by committees only and a congressional vote to pass the bill only needs a simple majority without debate. Normal procedural requirements include a debate on the floor unless a 60% vote decides otherwise which the administration knows it can not get. If there is a debate, it would likely force the committees to go back and make compromises to the bill for another vote or consider other remedies. This is inside baseball but that’s congress. BTW, the Bush administration used reconciliation to pass tax legalization so this has been done before; I’m not picking on President Obama! [/FONT]
[FONT="]So what does this mean to each of you? In my opinion change is coming regardless of the outcome but the scenario above is catastrophic to each and every one of us. Our livelihood is on the brink with this legislation. If this has your attention and you want to do something about it, contact your Senator (the House looks like a lost cause) and express your concerns and urge him or her not to support the federal option but to support efforts to improve the existing delivery system. The federal option is portrayed as offering the same plan that Senators and the President have instead of employer based plans. This is a Trojan horse for moving to a single payer system; more expensive and reduced access for service (6 months for an MRI in Canada). Please read below so you will be better informed about the issue. If you feel compelled to speak out, contact your Senator; there is a convenient link in the text of the NAHU information below. [/FONT]
and then there is the same NAHU article that has been floating around attached as well. Just thought I'd put this out there....not good.
[FONT="]I attended a meeting yesterday with Burke King, President Anthem VA. His clear and unequivocal concern not only for the industry but for agents was disconcerting and worrisome. I have known him for 10 years; he is reserved and not inclined toward hyperbole. He indicated that agents will be out of business if the administration is successful with the congress in passing legislation to dismantle health insurance as it exists today which seems likely as of this date. Current proposals call for 1% commission for brokers at best if not their complete elimination![/FONT]
[FONT="]The President is trying to include a “reconciliation” provision in the budget which means that discussion and final drafts of legislation (healthcare) is conducted behind closed doors by committees only and a congressional vote to pass the bill only needs a simple majority without debate. Normal procedural requirements include a debate on the floor unless a 60% vote decides otherwise which the administration knows it can not get. If there is a debate, it would likely force the committees to go back and make compromises to the bill for another vote or consider other remedies. This is inside baseball but that’s congress. BTW, the Bush administration used reconciliation to pass tax legalization so this has been done before; I’m not picking on President Obama! [/FONT]
[FONT="]So what does this mean to each of you? In my opinion change is coming regardless of the outcome but the scenario above is catastrophic to each and every one of us. Our livelihood is on the brink with this legislation. If this has your attention and you want to do something about it, contact your Senator (the House looks like a lost cause) and express your concerns and urge him or her not to support the federal option but to support efforts to improve the existing delivery system. The federal option is portrayed as offering the same plan that Senators and the President have instead of employer based plans. This is a Trojan horse for moving to a single payer system; more expensive and reduced access for service (6 months for an MRI in Canada). Please read below so you will be better informed about the issue. If you feel compelled to speak out, contact your Senator; there is a convenient link in the text of the NAHU information below. [/FONT]
and then there is the same NAHU article that has been floating around attached as well. Just thought I'd put this out there....not good.
