The Problem: For years, federal legislators have sponsored legislation to establish Association Health Plans (AHPs) that seek to allow associations and groups of businesses to pool their insurance needs. However, they have also proposed allowing these AHPs to circumvent state insurance laws, and to "cherry-pick" low-risk customers out of existing programs. As a result, many governors, state insurance commissioners and consumers have adamantly opposed these federal provisions as bad public policy.
Strategic Recommendation: Dutko Worldwide’s assignment was to engage state and local officials to help impact any such federal policies. Key elements of the program included:
Program Elements: • Develop messages that clearly show any negative impact of certain AHP provision on states and consumers – along with offering alternative ways to lower health care costs and expand coverage.
• Engage state and local officials to impact Members of Congress and Administration officials who have the most influence over the AHP debate.
• Set up meetings between Governors and other officials with key federal policy-makers.
• Work closely with the company’s federal teams to coordinate government affairs efforts.
• In many cases, the federal team will identify the member of Congress they want to reach, and Dutko will put in place a program to utilize member companies, state officials and coalition members to achieve the company’s goals.
Results: Dutko Worldwide’s efforts to help oppose detrimental AHP legislation has been very effective. Working with our client as well as state and local officials, Dutko was able to raise awareness and understanding of alternative solutions, and helping find a balanced solution that preserved state authority while embracing new solutions to expand insurance options.
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