The Navigators are coming, the Navigators are coming!

After a long and grueling week with Joe and I visiting all members of the House Commerce and Labor Committee, our navigator bill HB 2246 passed the committee on a 15 to 6 vote.   On the same afternoon our amendment to the "cancel by email" HB 1607 was accepted and approved without fanfare.  Having said that, following the vote on 1607 some legislators had second thoughts on their vote when they could not find that the consumer absolutely has to opt in to dealing with the insurer electronically.  Legislators quickly came to us and we had to show them the opt in reference.  Nothing like rescuing a bill you don't like in the first place. 

As mentioned, the debate on Navigators won the award for most contentious and longest debated of the day. There remains substantial confusion on the Affordable Care Act and several legislators were reluctant to vote for our bill until the Federal Health and Human Services Department (HHS) provides more information and final guidance.  As well they were concerned about acting based on today's deadlines since HHS has not met any deadlines to date asking if we could wait until next year for our legislation.  Some wanted more regulation then we proposed while others felt any vote on our bill was a vote in support of "Obama Care". 

So there are now two areas of concern.  The Navigator bill now goes to the floor of the House where it's sure to receive another debate.  And our companion bill in the Senate – SB 1261 -  comes before the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee on Monday. Another busy day. While Joe and I have met everyone on Senate C&L, we again expect a “spirited” discussion.  And crossover is Wednesday.  In short each house must complete work on bills that generated in their house by the end of the day on Tuesday.  Then the Senate must work on House bills and the House must work on Senate bills. 

Also on Thursday the House Commerce & Labor Committee took off the table the Bureau's bill that prevents felons from owning agencies.  The bill was amended that say that felons could not "own and operate" an agency.  IIAV strongly supported the original language of this bill and certainly supported this watered down version. 

So take a look at the table that accompanies this report and let me know if you have any questions.  We're here at the General Assembly for you until the bitter end - February 23. 

By the way, thanks to everyone who attended the Insurance Day on the Hill.  We had a great program and even heard news in progress with the report by Lt. Governor Bill Bolling. 

Call me if you have any questions! 

Robert N. Bradshaw
IIAV President & CEO
804-929-4134