Date: July 31, 2009
Subject: URGENT: Meet With Your Federal Legislators in August

Life Insurance? Annuities? Long-term Care Insurance? Business or Individual Medical Insurance?  Sell Any of These?
Then Keep Reading

Members of Congress will be in recess during the next few weeks - that means they will be back home looking for feedback and input from constituents who take the time to speak up. The recess (August 3 to September 4 for House members/August 10 to September 7 for Senators) offers opportunities to influence lawmakers on the critical issues of health care reform and how to pay for it. Even if you have recently communicated with your senators and representative, we ask you to do so again during the August Recess.  There are millions of voices in this debate and NAIFA members must keep encouraging our lawmakers to consider thoroughly the total consequences of the proposals before they vote on something we'll all regret.
 
Speak Up: NAIFA is asking you to seek opportunities to speak face-to-face with your two senators and representative.

• Schedule a meeting in the lawmaker's office and bring other members of your local association and business clients to the meeting.
• Attend Town Hall meetings, they are also a great venue to connect with your senators and representative.

The Issues:

• Health Care Reform
• Paying for Health Care Reform

Now is also the time to engage your clients in the Health Care Reform debate, especially your small business clients.  Let them know that the House Tri-Committee bill contains a surtax on successful small businesses that would range from 2% to 5.4%.  Additionally, Congress is looking at other "creative" ways to pay for "reform," including the taxation of life insurance and annuity products.

Lastly, please report the results of your meetings to apic@naifa.org.  It's critical that your NAIFA staff learn what your lawmaker told you.  Thank you.
 
Resources:

• Talking Points-Health Care
• Talking Points-Pay Fors
• Client Brochure
• Engaging Your Clients
• Grassroots Activities List
• District Meeting Tips
• Senator/Representative Websites

Technical Assistance? If you have technical questions about using NAIFA’s Legislative Action Center, please contact Matthew Laptew at 703-770-8154