Florida Association of Health Underwriters Joins NAHU in Congratulating Senator Baucus

The Florida Association of Health Underwriters (FAHU) joins with the National Association of Health Underwriters (NAHU) in the following statement:

“The National Association of Health Underwriters (NAHU) congratulates Senator Baucus for his leadership in putting forth these thoughtful initiatives aimed at strengthening our health care system. Although no reform proposal is perfect, NAHU is pleased that Senator Baucus has sought to build on areas in which there is considerable bipartisan agreement, including the need to constrain the growth of health care costs and improve quality and value through prevention and wellness, greater price and quality transparency, and insurance and medical liability reforms.

“NAHU continues to advocate for state regulation of insurance, and we believe that any regulatory reforms Congress enacts should build upon that state system, not undermine it. We are pleased that the Senate Finance Committee proposal calls for the continued direction of state insurance commissioners to provide oversight of health insurance plans and licensed health insurance agents and brokers. We look forward to working with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in developing model language on the new rules for marketing private health insurance products within state-based insurance exchanges.

“NAHU, however, is concerned with the new tax that Senator Baucus wants to impose on the health insurance industry. These new fees — combined with a separate proposal to tax high-cost health care plans — would increase the cost of doing business for insurers, and these costs will be passed on to health care consumers in the form of higher premiums, ultimately making health insurance more expensive.”

FAHU President, Julian Lago stated that: “We remain committed to working with our State Insurance Commissioner and Legislators for the best outcome for all Floridians, and we are looking forward to joining with them in Tallahassee for our planned summit meeting later this year. FAHU represents over 5000 licensed health insurance agents and brokers who are committed to protecting and educating Florida consumers.”

About the Florida Association of Health Underwriters (FAHU):

The Florida Association of Health Underwriters mission is to protect the consumer’s future. To accomplish our mission, we will strengthen the insurance marketplace by advocating effective legislation, ethical leadership and professional standards, and by educating our members and the consumers they serve. For more information visit our website at www.fahu.org.