This is the report from CQ Healthbeat on the “fly-in” to Washington, DC yesterday. I reported on my involvement with the fly-in (Click here to view). Not sure if I would call myself a “Lobbyist”, but that’s the headline of the news story. Here is an overview of how it was reported:
“Just as Congress moves into high gear on health overhaul legislation, insurance trade groups with a big stake in the outcome are packing the halls of the Capitol with members making the case against a public plan to their home-state politicians. Wednesday saw the arrival on the Hill of more than 1,000 members of four associations whose members are deeply involved in the private health insurance process: the Association of Health Insurance Advisors, National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers of America, and the National Association of Health Underwriters.” These lobbies are “often influential people in their communities who may have longtime ties with members of Congress.” However, CQ notes that “it might seem the brokers and agents are fighting an uphill battle, given the support of congressional Democrats as well as President Obama for the public option.”
The slow and painfull, disregard, undoing, ruination, colapse, destruction and humiliation of the Health Insurance Broker. UNLESS! We all do our part (contacting our Gov. Reps) and share our feelings and knowledge. Even though your clients probably don’t really care, there are clients of yours you have helped out immensley and would like to share in our cause (get them involved by simply sharing their Government Reps address and toll free numbers. If this “Government Call-In Health Care System” thing takes off and works well the next step will be “Call-In Medicare” then we are domed for sure. All insurance companies would like to pocket every penny so why would they need us?
Please, I beg of everyone “GET INVOLVED”!!!