As the GAHU calendar moves toward the year of 2010, I want to take a moment to thank you for your active support of GAHU.  Even with what many of my friends call "All that Craziness going on in Washington," we still have a LOT to be thankful for, and proud of:

• One of the first goals I set as President was a substantial increase in HUPAC participation.  Did you know that in just six short months, GAHU has DOUBLED the percent of members who contribute to HUPAC?!  A big "Thank-You" to Dave Johnson, who took my challenge seriously and has done great work in this area!
• GAHU's relevance at our state capitol is higher than it has ever been, thanks to the leadership and tireless work of our Government Affairs team and Mike Wardrip.  Lawmakers now regularly reach out to us to ask our opinion on every piece of legislation that touches healthcare.  Even now, with Congress working on national reform, our lawmakers are consulting with your GAHU leadership to help get a sense for how Reform will affect Georgia and how we might respond.
• Coincidentally, GAHUPAC is as financially healthy as it's ever been, thanks to the stewardship of Rick Bailey and his team of dedicated volunteers.  This simply allows us to have more conversations with more lawmakers who are making decisions about how YOU make your living.  In case you were wondering, we give to BOTH sides of the political aisle and this certainly helps give your Association more credibility when we are talking to legislators.
• GAHU has had more "press hits" in the past six months than it has ever had in any year prior!  This means that the Georgia Associations of Health Underwriters is cited in op-ed pieces, opinion columns and letters-to-the-editor, each time incrementally validating your Association as the place where THE BEST of THE BEST in our industry reside.  If you think your clients and prospects don't notice those sorts of things, think again!

There is much more, of course, but those are just a few items that I'm personally proud of as President of GAHU.  I do have to say that your Board of Directors has worked very hard so far this year under the most difficult circumstances imaginable, and I'm equally proud of (and thankful for) them.  I urge you to pass along a big thanks to your local leadership as well.  They would appreciate knowing that you appreciate them!

Finally, I want to close by wishing each of you happiness and peace throughout this Holiday Season.  I don't care what faith tradition you follow, they all preach love, compassion, renewal and peace right now.  That is my hope for you.  And in the words of Tiny Tim....

God bless us....everyone!

Blake Watts

2009-2010 GAHU President

theblakewatts@gmail.com

Best Wishes for 2010 from the Man on the Hill

The best wishes I can give to you in the coming year is to not be discouraged nor of weak heart. 

Who knows the outcome of things that are being decided by forces we now have little control over?  But, at the same time, how different is that from the circumstances we've faced in the past?

I cannot underestimate your importance in deciding your own fate.  It may be to stand your ground to preserve the liberties you know.  Or, it may be adapting to change or helping to create it - for it has always come.  For those of us who've been around the longest, it's hard to escape noticing how much things change in so little time. For those of us who've been around the shortest of time, it's hard to fathom. a simpler time. 

How much fight will you have left in you when the New Year rolls around?  I hope a lot! I hope you'll focus yourself on what matters most - you and your family.  I also hope you'll give your industry some new found energy that will keep us grounded in freedom no matter what happens in faraway places like Iraq, Afghanistan, or Washington, D.C. 

There's a movement today very similar to a voice heard long ago that refused "Taxation without Representation" and seizure of property by an oppressive government.  I ask, again, "How's today all that different after all?" 

Look where we've come.  Help make the road for where we're going.

May God bless you and your families in 2010.

Michael A. Wardrip - Lobbyist/GAHU Member

GAHU Dues Rate Increase Effective 2010:

The Board of Directors of the Georgia Associations of Health Underwriters unanimously approved an increase to the state portion of our association's annual membership dues for 2010. 

The amount of the increase is $50 per year. 

The Board recognizes that this is a significant increase and feels that it is important to share with our members the reason behind the decision.  Simply stated, without the increase, GAHU will be unable to continue professional lobbying representation before the Georgia General Assembly on our members' behalf.  In addition, GAHU's ability to financially support other member lobbying efforts at the federal and state level would be compromised.

Support HUPAC NOW!

Q.  How will I know if I am not currently contributing?

A.  You can click here to access the HUPAC List of contributors.  If you're name is not on the list, you are not contributing.  If you are contributing, you can change the amount, credit card number, contact information, etc.

Q.  Why contribute to this fund in addition to my commitment to GAHU PAC?

A.  HUPAC money goes toward supporting U.S. elected officials - specifically members of the House of Representatives and U.S. Senators.  GAHU PAC money goes only to local elected officials - members of the Georgia General Assembly, as well as other constitutionally elected officials in the State of Georgia.  With the healthcare reform debate going on in Washington, it has never been more important to support elected officials who want to do this the right way.

Q.  What is the easiest way for me to start doing my part to support this very important PAC?

A.  The easiest way is to complete and submit the required HUPAC Contribution Form click here. You may pay by credit card, bank draft or check.

New!  Online CDHC Certification Course offered to GAHU Members:

Completion of this interactive coursework will provide you with the strong technical knowledge you need to successfully navigate the various rules and regulations of the myriad types of consumer-directed health care options, and proven methods for communicating those options to employers and employees in a compelling way.

Upon completion of the course, you will receive a FREE copy of Roy Ramthun's book, "A Commonsense Guide to Health Savings Accounts" as a GAHU member bonus!

Register Here!

2010 GA Insurance Commissioner Race

While many GAHU Members may not have decided which candidate they support (and your Board of Directors strongly encourages its Members to examine ALL the candidates thoroughly) there are quite a few Members who have chosen their favorite candidate, and in many cases are actively campaigning in support of their candidate.  In fact, some of our Members may have received various communications from other Members in support of any number of candidates.

 I want to take this opportunity to clearly communicate that GAHU does NOT endorse political candidates in ANY race...ever.  While the GAHU PAC (which is a separate entity) makes political contributions to political candidates, these contributions do not imply that GAHU endorses a particular candidate. 

If any Member desires more information about how your GAHU PAC works, please reach out to admin@gahu.org.

Blake Watts - 2009-2010 GAHU President

 Special Notice Regarding GAHU's 2010 Convention

2010 GAHU Convention will be held at the Ritz Carlton Reynolds Plantation on June 16^th, 17^th  and 18^th, 2010.  

Attendees & Sponsors/Exhibitors:

Rooms and Prime Vendor space will go fast!  Details will follow soon regarding guest room availability and room and exhibitor costs.  You will want to reserve your room or exhibit space quickly.  Vendors are encouraged to submit a deposit prior to the end of 2009.

At the request of many of our delegation members and other members of Congress, WellPoint, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia's parent company, has completed an analysis on the premium impact of proposed health care reform legislation in the fourteen states in which we operate. As one of the nation's largest health benefits company with more than 75 years of experience in arranging and financing health care, WellPoint represents one in nine Americans and has a wealth of data and information that can provide important background on the impact of legislation. 

As you will see in the attached paper the impact on premiums will vary significantly by market and within the individual and small group markets, and the impact on premiums will vary by the demographics (e.g. age, health status) associated with each individual and group.  While this analysis focuses on the underlying cost of the premium, there are also elements of reform that would offset a portion of those costs from lower-income individuals and certain employers by providing premium assistance and tax credits.  Additionally, in our analysis we also include those elements that may result in a lower post-subsidy premium cost.  We examined the impact of the subsidy as a way of reducing the impact of reform and presented the data by federal poverty level.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia supports responsible, sustainable health care reform; however, the current proposed legislation does not meet this objective. 

We believe sustainable health care reform is that which controls cost, increases access and promotes quality outcomes.  It is our sincere hope that the attached analysis provides you with information that will assist you in evaluating the various proposals and their impacts.

Click Here for a copy of the report.   Content and Report generously provided by:

Caroline Holley

Government Relations Director - Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia