With a Republican Senate win tipping the Congressional balance away from the Democrats (see “Legislative Roundup”), healthcare reform has officially been relegated to the back burner. In his first State of the Union address, President Barack Obama reprioritized his goals, shifting his focus from healthcare to jobs creation (it’s about time—but that’s just MHO).
This isn’t to say that healthcare won’t rise again. It’s still a strong mandate for the president, and with all of the political currency already invested in either promoting or fighting it, it’s unlikely to go away. In the meantime, however, the rest of us are stuck under the cloud of a potential game changer without knowing the new rules of the game.
This month’s issue takes a look at where we are in the healthcare reform debate and how the proposed legislation will affect agents and brokers (see story). More to the point, however, we also examine a societal change that will definitely affect producers: the move toward more in-home healthcare and the unique risks and opportunities associated with this trend (see story). We also look at the role employee benefit sales continue to play in many agencies as more clients lean on their agents for additional benefits services (see story). Whatever legislative changes come down the pike, agents and brokers must still be able to do right by their customers who need health and related coverages in the here and now.
Meanwhile, on a completely different subject: As Haiti still reels from the devastating earthquake that struck in January, the insurance industry continues to lend a hand. Organizations of all types and sizes are pitching in, including the OneBeacon Charitable Trust, IIABA’s Trusted Choice Disaster Relief Special Fund, Fireman’s Fund and its employees, RIMS and the CPCU Society—and these are only a few. On a personal level, I follow the tweeted updates of agency tech consultant Steve Anderson, whose oldest daughter Kelly, an ER nurse, traveled to Haiti after the quake as part of her church group’s disaster response team.
In a world suffused with political backbiting, rancor and polarization on essential issues, it’s easy to lose faith in human nature. Then something big happens and once again, as we always have, Americans reach out a generous hand and prove to the world what we’re really made of. Our industry’s quick action to help Haiti makes me proud to be associated with it. If you haven’t already, count your blessings and donate to Haitian relief through the charity of your choice—especially if it’s an industry one.