NAIFA Washington Advocacy for Members in Constant
Motion
Whew…what a year 2013 turned out to be! But there is no time to rest on past successes. Let’s look at NAIFA-Washington’s successes:
·
“Day on the Hill” huge success. Information, Attendance, Speaker
line-up, Legislative Contacts, 13 Locals
represented, Profitability
·
“Call to Action” stopped a 271% increase for
ALL Agents/producers paying B&O Taxed.
Leadership Coalition testifies in Olympia, NAIFA WA, WAHU, IIABW, PIA,
Farmers, American Family, 1000’s of the Producer Community call their legislators!
Strong NAIFA WA representation on
the Office of the Insurance Commissioner’s Agent/Brokers Life, Health,
Disability Advisory Council…keeping NAIFA WA informed and involved with the
OIC. |
| NAIFA WA Members: (L/R )Sharon Sparling, Kathy Smithson, Andrew Hooper, Brian Berg, Alan Zalewski, Robert “Bob” Mertz, Matt Ryan |
· **NEW
VICTORY** “Agent/Producer” presence
on the new Washington healthplanfinder. Mel Sorensen, NAIFA WA Lobbyist
notified us that after the June 16th Washington Health Benefits
Exchange meeting with the Exchange’s Agent/Broker Advisory Group raised
a number of priority issues for the producer community. The meeting was about the
Exchange website and making sure that agents/brokers get credit for bringing
business to the Exchange.
· Washington’s
Health Benefits Exchange members (a ‘Power” representation) our
Producer Coalition met with:
o
Richard Onizuka, CEO of the Washington Health
Benefits Exchange
o
Kevin Bell, SHOP Director
o
Pam
MacEwan, Chief of Staff
o
Catherine
Bailey, SHOP Manager
o
New
LOGO:
·
“United We
Stand” Coalition of Participating Associations present
at the meeting:
o
Chris Free, President, Washington
Health
Underwriters (WAHU)
o
Sharon Sparling, Past President,
Advocacy/Legislative Chair, NAIFA WA
o
Barb Kaiser, Past President, Professional Insurance Agents (PIA)
o Dan Holst,
Executive Director, VP, Independent
Insurance Agent/Brokers of Washington (IIABW)
Sharon Sparling, NAIFA WA, Chris Free, WAHU
· Mel
Sorensen: “… thought that it was a
productive meeting, and it’s clear that the Exchange staff wanted to show some
movement on these issues. I don’t think
that would have happened without our collective efforts to raise concerns.”Finally, last week the Washington Health Benefit Exchange announced the selection of lead organizations to provide in-person assistance [Navigators] as part of the Washington Healthplanfinder Customer Support Program.
·
Benton Franklin Community Action
Connections: Serving Benton, Franklin and Walla Walla Counties
·
CHOICE Regional Health Network:
Serving Clallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Lewis, Mason, Pacific and Thurston
Counties
·
Clark County Public Health: Serving
Clark, Klickitat and Skamania Counties
·
Cowlitz Family Health Center:
Serving Cowlitz and Wahkiakum Counties
·
Empire Health Foundation: Serving
Adams, Asotin, Chelan, Columbia, Douglas, Ferry, Garfield, Grant, Lincoln,
Okanogan, Pend Oreille, Stevens, Spokane and Whitman Counties
·
Kitsap Public Health District:
Serving Kitsap County
·
Public Health – Seattle & King
County: Serving King County
·
Tacoma-Pierce County Health
Department: Serving Pierce County
·
Whatcom Alliance for Health
Advancement: Serving Island, San Juan , Skagit, Snohomish and Whatcom Counties
·
Yakima Neighborhood Health
Services: Serving Kittitas and Yakima Counties
I want to personally “Thank ALL the NAIFA Washington
Members” that continued to step-up, get out of their comfort zone and get
involved! NAIFA Member
Advocacy/Legislative INVOLVEMENT is keeping the torch burning for our honorable
profession…Guarding Family Security!
Note: Due to changes in his business plan, Andrew
“Drew” Hooper has resigned as Co-Chair. If
you want to be more involved, please contact me at: (360) 708-3210 or Sharon@ssparling.com or John Nichols,
President-Elect at (206) 721-7950 or jbnic@aol.com.
“Profession Excellence Begins with Us!”
Sharon L. Sparling
Advocacy/Legislative Chair
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