Agents and Brokers Go to Washington
Senior executives from the nation's largest commercial insurance agencies and brokerage firms were on Capitol Hill this month, discussing with key members of Congress and other political and industry experts issues such as financial services, "patient's right initiatives," and Superfund reform.
Key presenters included:
Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-MS) and House Majority Whip Tom DeLay (R-TX), who explained the Congressional agenda for 1998 and gave the outlook on a number of issues of interest to Council members including, the National Association of Registered Agents and Brokers (NARAB) provisions of HR 10, Superfund reform, and the Patient Access to Responsible Care Act (PARCA);
Sen. Alfonse D'Amato (R-NY) and Rep. Sue Kelly (R-NY), who shared his views on financial services modernization, and the chances for passage of NARAB in 1998;
Rep. Chris John (D-LA) a member of the Coalition (and a "Blue Dog" Democrat), who spoke about the need for Superfund reform;
Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (R-MO) and Rep. James P. McGovern (D-MA), two freshman congressmen who were the featured speakers at a Council PAC dinner.
The industry players were in town for the Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers (CIAB or The Council) 18th Annual Legislative Conference, which also featured Republican pollster Dr. Frank I. Luntz, who kicked off the event with remarks at the conference's welcoming dinner. He briefed Council members on the upcoming election and what to expect in 1998 from Congress and President Clinton.
In addition to the speakers, The Council hosted two panel discussions. The first was a debate on the Patient Access to Responsible Care Act (PARCA). It was moderated by Charlie R. Daniels, III, Chairman of the CIAB's Task Force on Employee Benefits, and featured panelists: Sally Canfield, senior federal legislative representative for Mutual of Omaha, and David Hebert, senior vice president of federal affairs for the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists. PARCA would create several new rights for employees including the right to sue their health plans, their employers and possibly their insurance intermediaries to recover damages for personal injuries they claim to have suffered through their health plans.
The second panel focused on Financial Services Reform. Joel Wood, CIAB Vice President of Government Affairs, moderated this discussion on the future prospects for NARAB and other financial services reform issues. Panelists included: Gary Hughes, vice president and chief counsel of securities and banking for the American Council of Life Insurance; Jim McIntrye, Washington counsel to the Association of Banks in Insurance; David Pratt, senior vice president of federal affairs for the American Insurance Association; and Laurie Schaffer, assistant staff director for the House Banking Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit.