TAHU Global Positions

 

• Broker Involvement –

Brokers and agents arethebest and most efficient distribution, outreach and educational component of health insurance for consumers.  Accordingly,they should be fairly compensated and should be included in every health care and health insurance program and distribution channel.

 

• Free Market System –

Texans have prospered because of free enterprise, market driven competition, especially compared to government run systems. Therefore, TAHU supports philosophies that further a competitive, market-driven environment.

 

• Protection of Consumers –

TAHU supportstheprotection of consumers throughthehighest standards of ethical behavior, marketing and business practices which fairly balance consumer and broker interests.

 

• Education –

Knowledge and understanding arethefoundation for all human progress.  Therefore, TAHU supports all efforts to promote education and information for consumers in general sothey may understandthepractical application of how insurance works.

 

• Professional Development –

For members of theinsurance industry in order to increasetheir knowledge and ability to keep consumers accurately and timely informed.   TAHU supports the requirement of all brokers and agents engaging in continual learning.

 

• Transparency –

Consumers deserve to knowthetrue cost oftheir medical care.  TAHU supports legislation that empowers consumers’ ability to learntheir cost of care.

 

• Health and Wellness –

The value of good health and wellness cannot be overstated.  TAHU supports legislation that promotes good health for all Texans.

 

• Government programs –

TAHU recognizes some citizens simply do not havetheresources for adequate healthcare.  TAHU supports efficient “safety net” programs to assistthese people.

 

• Mandates –

TAHU supports thorough review of every mandate, present and prospective, to determine its impact in terms of cost and efficacy. 

 

• TexasHealth Insurance Pool –

TAHU supports efforts to more equitably fundtheTexas Health Insurance Pool while recognizing it istheinsurer of last resort. 

 

• Keep politics local –

State regulation has servedtheconsumer well for decades.  We continue to support regulation atthelocal, state level.

Notes from the 2011 TAHU Annual Conference

by Melanie Rogers

This year’s TAHU Annual Conference was held at the beautiful Westin La Cantera Resort, on the North side of San Antonio.  The event started with a golf tournament on Wednesday May 4th, with the proceeds going to Ava’s Wish, a charity assisting families of children suffering from severe head trauma.  A portion was also donated to the TAHU Honorees Corporation.

The business sessions opened with the full TAHU Board meeting on Thursday, May 5th.  Those not members of the Board had a choice of CE Sessions – one of which was led by our own Ron Ledgerwood.  Ron encouraged the participants to ask themselves the question, “Are You a Peddler or a Benefit Advisor?”

After lunch, the Opening Ceremonies began with an inspirational address by Pete Thomas, the AtHome Winner of NBC’s “The Biggest Loser” Season 2.  Pete challenged the attendees to be winners and provided helpful strategies in the current, difficult marketplace we face in the insurance industry.  The ceremony was capped off by the installation of the 2011 – 2012 TAHU Board.  The afternoon concluded with ample time to visit with exhibitors.  Kudos to Dental Select for winning this  year’s Best Booth Decoration.  Veronica Wingo, HAHU’s Public Service Chair, and her colleagues  from around the state turned their booth into a tropical paradise to highlight this year’s top sellers’ awards trip.

In a change from previous years, the Hollis Roberson Award Dinner was held Thursday evening,  rather than the usual Friday evening, in response to a number of member requests.  In the following  pictures you can get a flavor of the festivities (or relive a happy moment, if you were there with us).

The TAHU website will have a full listing of all awards and award winners.  However, there were a few special individual awards worth mentioning here.  Misty Baker, of Small Group Specialist fame  and ever-present force in the Texas legislature, was awarded the Tom Schilling Outstanding Texan of the Year.  The Ken Martin Excellence in Communication Award, named after our own Past President (and Pat Martin’s late husband), was given to Rusty Rice.  Our own Mike McLaughlin, as last year’s recipient, had the honor to present the 2011 Hollis Roberson Award to C. Briscoe Dunn.  Although Briscoe’s wife went into the hospital unexpectedly, he still came the graciously accept the congratulations of his peers and share his heartfelt gratitude.  In the general categories, Houston picked up Presidential Citations for Large Chapter and Membership.

Friday was filled with a variety of CE and plenty of time to visit with exhibitors.  The end of the business day saw many a happy face as the booth exhibitors’ prize drawings were announced.  (Yours truly was one such “happy face.”)  But the fun wasn’t over yet.  The evening brought with it a good ol’ Texas time with a dance and BBQ at the Leon Springs Dancehall.

For those of us who chose to stay, there was additional CE on Saturday morning.  This was a very lively 2-hour session with members and the presenter exchanging various ideas on how an agent can best position him/herself once the Health Care Reform Law gets into full swing.  The conversation after the CE ended followed most members to Hotel Reception for check-out and into the parking lot.  Association member sharing ideas and best practices is what this was all about.