I am often asked why I have become so involved in both my local and state association of Health Underwriters chapters. The answer is quite comical to say the least. I have always been an involved person when it comes to community opportunities. After playing in the local golf tournament for a few years I asked the current Public Service Chair to assist for a few years in a row before receiving my first offer. He came into my office, put a box on my desk and said, I need you to take on this project for us because it is time for me to move on, and don’t worry about the meeting tomorrow you don’t have to go. After receiving several e-mails addressed to the Local board I phoned a friend and asked why I had begun to receive these and her reply was, because you are on the board silly. I had no idea, nor was I aware the association even had a board, but I gladly took on the responsibility and thought it would be an excellent way to increase my sales. I quickly learned that serving on the board was more about helping my business, it was all about what the association stood for and doing our part to keep Healthcare at the forefront of everyone’s thoughts. After serving on the board a few years I decided I was ready to take on the next step and run for office. After serving my local association Executive Committee and eventually becoming President I realized that there was more work to do and became involved on the state board and started the process of working my way to the top, which leads me to today.
TAHU is in a great position to have an impact in what happens today and tomorrow. Membership recruitment and retention is the key to our survival as an association and an industry. We have put together one of the strongest membership teams ever and I have tasked them with continued remarkable growth of our association, but we need each and every TAHU member’s help. Every member of our association has the right to ask the person sitting next to them if they are a member. If they are not you should also ask them “Why not?” “Why aren’t they taking part in protecting the future of this industry and why am I responsible for protecting your job?’”
We are also responsible for our own involvement. It is not enough today to just be part of the pack. We should all lead by example and practice what we preach. We need to educate the public on how they will be impacted by what happens in Austin and in Washington. TAHU will also increase our Public Relations presence and do everything we can to spread the word to our members and bring true value in the public eye of what an insurance agent does and why they should look for a member of the National Association of Health Underwriters. Our outreach to the public is vital but again we cannot do it alone. We need each and every member to do their part of educating the ultimate customer, the consumer of Health Care.
I am honored to take on the Role as your President and am confident that if we band together we can “Protect our Future”.
Rusty Rice
TAHU President 2009-2010
“Change can only be achieved through the commitment of those who are involved.”
Rusty Rice 2009
 Join Us For The 22nd Annual Convention in Houston, April 29, 2010 - May 1, 2010. Click on the logo for
more information!
* 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!!!
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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