TAHU MEMBERS!
There's only a week left to get your nominations in for the 2012-13 TAHU Officers!  Download a nomination form here.

 

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Texas AHU Receives Gold Certification for 2011

The National Association of Health Underwriters (NAHU) is proud to announce that the Texas Association of Health Underwriters has qualified to receive Gold Certification. 

"Receiving this certification is a collaboration of efforts and illustrates the hard work and dedication of our members and Board of Directors.  I applaud all of our volunteers and thank them for this honor."  Joanna Antongiovanni, TAHU President.

NAHU's Chapter Certification Program is an ongoing program that recognizes excelling chapters all year long.  Recognition is based on criteria satisfaction in various areas.  To earn Gold Certification, chapters must satisfy at least 9 of 14 criteria.  Once a chapter satisfies 6 of the 14 criteria it can apply for Silver Certification.  If all 14 are satisfied, the chapter will automatically receive Platinum Certification.

"Gold Certification is bestowed upon chapters that have demonstrated developmental excellence in their local area, nationally and in the health care industry," said NAHU CEO Janet Trautwein.  "The volunteers in the TAHU Chapter met our expectations and far exceeded them."

* 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!

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