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NAIFA Comments on House Passage of Healthcare Reform Bill
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NAIFA Comments on House Passage of Healthcare Reform Bill

Contact:

Lee Allen, Vice President of Communications and Marketing, NAIFA
(703) 770-8112 (office)
(703) 336-2462 (mobile)

FALLS CHURCH, VA (November 9, 2009) — "H.R. 3962 contains many provisions that NAIFA has long supported including affordability credits, wellness and prevention provisions, guaranteed issue and consumer access to professional agent services," says NAIFA President Thomas D. Currey, CLU, ChFC, LUTCF in a statement released today.

"However, there are a number of health reform issues that need further consideration before the bill will meet NAIFA's reform goals, and we are disappointed that the House passed the bill without fully vetting these concerns," Currey continues. “In addition to controversial health provisions, we are particularly troubled with the use of health care reform legislation to expand the FTC’s authority over all lines of insurance and to limit the McCarran-Ferguson protection of pro-competitive activities in the medical malpractice and health insurance markets.  Excessive authority is unwarranted, and would have negative impact, particularly on property-casualty and life insurers and their consumers."

According to Currey, “NAIFA is dismayed by the sweeping changes to the regulation of all lines of insurance in the context of a health reform bill.”

"We continue to believe that the health care reform challenge can be met by bringing millions of uninsured Americans into the system and reducing the high cost of health care for everyone. We look forward to working with the Senate and the Reconciliation Conferees to address our concerns," concludes Currey.

About NAIFA: NAIFA comprises more than 700 state and local associations representing the interests of approximately 200,000 agents and their associates nationwide. NAIFA members focus their practices on one or more of the following: life insurance and annuities, health insurance and employee benefits, multiline, and financial advising and investments. The Association’s mission is to advocate for a positive legislative and regulatory environment, enhance business and professional skills, and promote the ethical conduct of its members.