TAHU SHINES AT THE NATIONAL AWARDS CEREMONY!
The Texas Association of Health Underwriters had the largest delegation attend the 2010 annual convention in Chicago!
Rusty Rice certainly needed his running shoes on as many times as he was called up on stage to accept the awards during the annual awards ceremony. Texas certainly shined! Of the 10 chapter/local awards that were given Texas walked away with all but 2 awards!. Landmark is a coveted award – there are only 2 given out for large states and the competition was stiff this year. This award recognized the best of the best! Texas and North Carolina were the big winners. The Pacesetter is given out for excellence to local chapters. Texoma won in the small chapter category and East Texas won again this year for medium size chapter. Special recognition also goes out to the West Texas Chapter for their hard work in winning the highest growth and retention award. Texans definitely blew into the windy city this year and swept up the awards! Congratulations to all our winners!!
Individual Awards
Eric Johnson (Ft Worth AHU) - Distinguished Service Award
Eric Johnson (Ft Worth AHU) - Excellence in Public Speaking Award – William G Wetzel
Colleen Pruitt (Lubbock AHU) - Distinguished Service Award
Rusty Rice (Texas AHU) - Distinguished Service Award
Carolyn Goodwin (Dallas AHU) - Distinguished Service Award
Jennifer Davault (East Texas AHU) - Emerging Leader Award
Rusty Rice (Texas AHU) – Presidential Citation Award
Susan Burdette (Houston AHU) – Recruiter of the Year
Chapter Awards
Texas AHU – Landmark Award (Large Chapter)
Texoma – Pacesetter Award (Small Chapter)
East Texas – Pacesetter Award (Medium Chapter)
Houston AHU - Most New Members (Large Chapter)
Texas AHU – Website Award
Texas AHU – Media Relations Award
Texoma AHU – Media Relations Award
Texas AHU – Legislative Excellence Award
Texas AHU – Most New Members (Large State Chapter)
West Texas AHU – Highest Growth Rate (Small Local Chapter)
West Texas AHU – Highest Retention Rate (Small Local Chapter)
Texas AHU – Blue Ribbon of Excellence
Region VI Awards
3rd Place Annual HUPAC Contributions
1st Place – NAHU Membership Cup Winner
Congratulations to All of this years Award Winners!
To see photos from the NAHU Convention click here
Texas AHU receives the Blue Ribbon of Excellence
Texas AHU has earned the Blue Ribbon of Excellence. This recognition means that the state chapter and all its locals are currently Silver Seal Certified. Only four other states have received this recognition. You are part of the elite. Rusty Rice had this to share after receiving the word, "A huge debt of gratitude goes out to Ron Buffum and Jacqueline St. Hilaire for their hard work in assisting chapters obtain their certification. They envisioned this goal and worked hard to make sure it happened. Congratulations to everyone on a remarkable accomplishment."
* TAHU Takes an Active Role in Reducing the Uninsured in Texas
On January 27th TAHU will host their third CHIP outreach event. "As professionals in our industry we need to take an active role in not only helping our clients but also helping the general public secure Health Insurance. One way we can do that is to educate the public on what may be available to them," says TAHU President, Rusty Rice. "Of the 40 million uninsured members in the US, over 30% are eligible for government funded programs. Texas has the highest number of children without Health Insurance so TAHU is doing what it can to reach out to those individuals to help educate them in their options and help them enroll in the program. This has been the brain child of Former TAHU President Carolyn Goodwin. She has been instrumental in developing CHIP Outreach programs across the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex" TAHU has also challenged chapters across the state to appoint a Public Outreach board member so events can be held in other markets. Click here for additional information.
* Rusty Rice speaks on Ron Graves' weekly talk show, "Achieving the Extraordinary." Listen Now
TAHU Supports Health Care Reform...
That is NOT a Government run health plan.
That includes the Insurance Agent in the delivery system.
That allows privately purchased Group and Individual Healthcare plans.
That addresses the escalating healthcare costs.
That leaves Medicare funding intact.
That retains the pre-tax option for Employees.
That retains the pre-tax incentives for Employers.
That will not add to the Federal Deficit.
That will not be funded by raising taxes to only a certain portion of the population.
For more information related to Healthcare Reform Issues, please visit our Legislation section.
* TAHU President calls for Immediate Legislative Action!!!
Legislative Hearing on Health Care Bill
The Texas Legislature has begun confronting the health care insurance reform bill as two key senate committees held a joint hearing on March 31st to discuss the bill’s implementation in Texas. We recommend that anyone who has the slightest bit of interest in this bill take the 3 hours, 31 minutes and 54 seconds to watch the complete hearing. It will acquaint you with the incredible financial issues that the Legislature faces. As a taxpayer, that alone should interest you. What you will hear is warranted as being accurate only as of the time and day of the hearing. By the time you see this, it may have changed.
In addition to the long view on what it will cost Texas, there is as much detail as is available about how insurance will be changed and affected. (Same warranty here.)
The presentations were given by Thomas Suehs, Executive Commissioner of Health and Human Services Commission; and Mike Geeslin, Commissioner of Insurance, and Dianne Longley, Director of Research and Analysis for TDI.
This should open the link and RealPlayer and begin the hearing.
http://www.senate.state.tx.us/avarchive/ramav.php?ram=00004563
(Should you want to take the long route, use the link to Senate video on the Capitol web site, go the video archives – 2010, scroll down to March 31, and find “Joint Hearing” and click on “Mar 31”.)
In addition to the hearing, you may wish to download the PDF or PowerPoint presentations prepared by TDI. Again, we stress, this is the best information available to and through the Department as of the hearing.
The Issue of Mandatory Medical Loss Ratios... has become a hot topic during this Texas Legislative Session and you need to be informed! Read more about it!
Stimulus Bill Changes Employer COBRA Requirements... Visit the Department of Labor's website for additional information...The IRS also provides guidance on the changes....
The Council for Affordable Health Reform... regularly keeps up with current information on hot issues regarding healthcare reform......visit www.cahi.org today!
* TAHU Supports Health Care Reform... For more information and how, please download this and the target listing.* NAHU's Convention in New York City was GREAT! Check out www.nahu.org for all the highlights, pictures and award winners! Texas won big once again!
VISITORS
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