By Dede Kennedy-Simington
Capitol Conference 2014 in Washington DC was once again a pivotal experience for me. It is a great deal of talking - and each year I come away with a sense of being part of the greater agent community, part of the solution and much better able to position my clients and agency for what is to come. I cannot speak highly enough of the experience and encourage each of you to plan on going next year.
I'd like to relay a very important conversation I had with Jean Russell, a past President of the Massachusetts AHU:
Jean had this to say about the Mass AHU experience with implementation of Romney Care 6 years ago - "It was rocky and we didn't have a coordinated effort. We watched our individual and under 10 life small group commissions get eliminated. We were bypassed as a distribution system in these markets. If there's anything we have learned and would convey to California is to be as engaged and vigilant as a possible. Do not sit by and let it unfold. Be everywhere that there are exchange meetings, carrier meetings, be in every working group and task force you can get into, from grassroots to State level. Only you can preserve the role of the agent." She repeated the mantra "Be Vigilant" over and over, and warned about the erosion starting there and bleeding into other markets we serve. "It's a slippery slope - be vigilant".
My take-aways from this are:
1) CAHU is on the right track, we remain engaged and at the table at a high level, and retain status as an approved distribution system in these markets. We need to stay the course, increase the heat and up our game. 80% of Covered Ca applications are coming in with agents - we are able, and should, demand more now that we've proven and continue to prove our worth. It's time to redouble efforts.
2) CAHU cannot do it without the locals - Los Angeles must step up and into a greater role with CAHU, and in all our individual interactions and transactions be viewed as critical advisors and distribution points. Each must be impeccable.
3) We cannot sit by. Each of us must participate in this fight. Two quotes, with poetic license since I am a Kennedy, are on point here: "Ask not what your Association can do for you, but what you can do to further the efforts of your Volunteer Association" and "If not now - then when?"
How do we participate?
1. There is strength in numbers - we must each recruit more members. To command attention and power we must be larger and have coordinated efforts. Gone are the days of letting others around us do nothing. Stand up and insist your non-member friends and colleagues join. It's not fair that others stay on the sidelines and let LAAHU/CAHU/NAHU save their business and role. Divided we will fall.
2. Go to Sacramento for Day at the Capitol (May 2014) and Washington DC for Capitol Conference (Feb. 2015). This will inform you on the issues, give you a direct opportunity to make the case for reasonable fix legislation and retain the pivotal role of the agent. It will give you a perspective that will benefit you with your clients and how to be involved in the legislative and regulatory process.
3. We are fighting for the hearts and minds of the public, regulators and legislators, media and we must be everywhere, develop new coalitions and be impeccable in our activities. Volunteer with LAAHU, and CAHU. We have many opportunities that will showcase the role that we play and elevate your prominence in your field. In these busy times we need many hands to make the work lighter for each. We need your time and talent - reach out to [email protected] today.
I've been asked if my LAAHU voluntarism benefits me in my business and unequivocally my answer is yes. I am able to transact business and get problems solved quickly because of my contacts, I am in the top percentile of brokers and consultants in the area of knowledge due to my persistent legislative activities, my clients know that I have national resources, perspective and they see how that benefits them, and the media exposure I have received as a leader in LAAHU assists in my marketing efforts. I am not unique as this comes directly from being an active volunteer who leverages my experience in my business. I invite you to do the same and I promise you'll get more out of it than you put in.
Warm wishes to all,
Dede Kennedy-Simington