The Power of A

As Americans prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving on Thursday and millions begin to pack their luggage to travel, associations are providing valuable advice and information to ensure that everyone has a safe and less stressful holiday season.

Thanksgiving week is considered the largest travel weekend of the year, with millions of Americans driving and flying to different destinations to celebrate the holiday.  While airlines are expecting fewer delays than last year, the crowds and number of people flying can increase stress among all participants.  The Air Transport Association of America (ATA) estimates that 4 million fewer people will fly this year, but still has a resource page of tips for fliers to minimize their delays and make their air travel smoother.  The American Automobile Association (AAA) is estimating that the number of car travelers will be increasing by over 2% this year, making for more crowded roads.  American Trucking Associations has a list of tips for Thanksgiving drivers to ensure safe travel on the highways, including have an emergency kit for breakdowns, be aware of truck blind spots, and know the local weather.

Of course when most people think Thanksgiving, they think of turkey.  The National Turkey Federation has a Thanksgiving turkey site, which in addition to having recipes for cooking turkey, has information on safe eating and preparation as well as how to contact health officials if you suspect food poisoning.  But if you plan on not cooking this Thanksgiving, you are not alone.  According to the National Restaurant Association, 11% of Americans eat at a restaurant on Thanksgiving, while 53% of consumers use restaurant-prepared takeout dishes as part of their Thanksgiving meal.

Does your association have good tips or information for the Thanksgiving holiday?

Quick Hits

The New York Times analyzes how the “Cadillac” health care plan tax proposal will affect consumers… The American Medical Association and AARP are launching media ads about how health care reform proposals will affect Medicare… The Hill interviews an FCC Commissioner on net neutrality.

Comprehensive health care reform, if enacted, will impact every aspect of American society.  For many associations, the impact will be more direct; as the debate progresses many medical, business, and consumer associations are working to ensure their voice is heard during the discussion.

The American Medical Association (AMA), the association for American doctors, yesterday issued a press release endorsing the House comprehensive health care bill, HR 3200 “America’s Affordable Health Care Choices”.  “The status quo is unacceptable,” said J. James Rohack, MD, president of AMA. “We support passage of H.R. 3200, and we look forward to additional constructive dialogue as the long process of passing a health reform bill continues.”  AMA’s annual meeting last month included a nationally-televised address by President Barack Obama thanking the medical community for its work on health care legislation and pledging to work with them on pressing issues, including medical liability reform.

On the insurance side of the debate, America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), a national association representing nearly 1,300 members providing health benefits to more than 200 million Americans, is voicing concerns from an insurance perspective.  Politico reported this morning that the association will begin an advertising campaign next week to “set the record straight about the industry’s support for reform and make sure the American people understand that there is a path to reform that does not include a government-run plan.”  AHIP was the organization in the 1990s that ran the “Harry and Louise” ads credited with helping defeat the Clinton health care proposal.

The actors portraying Harry and Louise will be reappearing on television next week, but it was announced yesterday that their new ads would be in support of the Senate HELP Committee bill.  The National Journal reported that yesterday the actors appeared at a press conference supporting the bill and their new ads, sponsored in part by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, will begin running this weekend.  The actors have appeared in ads in the past year sponsored by the American Hospital Association, Catholic Health Association, and National Federation of Independent Business on various health care issues.

Many associations, such as Volunteers of America, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, and numerous beverage associations, are providing their members’ valuable perspectives to the health care debate.  How is your association contributing to the health care reform debate?

Quick Hits (Senate)

The Senate Finance Committee failed to release a draft of their bill yesterday, but members are continuing to work out their disagreements over the weekend… CBO Director Elmendorf testified before the Budget Committee that the proposed health care legislation would not provide the promised long-term federal budget savings….will Elmendorf’s testimony kill health care reform?… Is the White House putting too much pressure on the Finance Committee?

Quick Hits (House)

The House Ways and Means Committee voted HR 3200 out of their committee a little after midnight last night.  Three Democrats voted with all committee Republicans against the bill… The Education and Labor Committee debated and adopted some amendments to HR 3200: expanding the definition of small business who can enter the exchange, including infant-care in the basic benefits package, and changing the deadline for prohibiting preexisting conditions to six months after the bill’s enactment.  The bill was passed this morning on a 26-22 vote.

1.  The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) scores a modified Health Education Labor and Pension (HELP) Committee health care proposal at $611.4 billion, but the bill would still leave 34 million Americans without insurance.

2.  The plan includes a public option and an employer mandate with a $750-per-employee penalty for the uninsured.

3.  Read the Kennedy/Dodd letter to the committee here.

4.  Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) continues to modify his public plan proposal.

5.  American Medical Association supports “an American Model” of public and private insurance companies.

6.  President Obama held a health care roundtable in Annandale, Virginia yesterday to promote reform legislation.

As the certainty of a comprehensive health care bill is being questioned by Congress and the media (subscription), the Obama Administration has become increasingly active in pushing Congress to pass legislation this year.

Today, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius will testify before the House Energy and Commerce Committee, urging Congress to send President Obama health care legislation that does not increase the federal deficit.  The President himself will address the issue head-on by holding a televised town-hall meeting tonight at 10 PM.  On Tuesday Dr. Christine Roemer, Chair of the Council of Economic Advisors, testified before the House Education and Labor Committee on the economic benefits of comprehensive reform.  And last night, Politico reported that White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel and Sebelius met privately with Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) to discuss health care reform.

On Capitol Hill, both chambers are mired in the details of their separate health care proposals.  The Senate Finance Committee has begun trimming the cost of their bill to bring the total cost under $1 trillion, primarily by scaling back the subsidies to assist people with purchasing health care.  The three House committees of jurisdiction are all holding hearings this week on the “Tri-Com” health care bill.  A wide variety of associations are participating in the hearings, including the American Benefits Council, AARP, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, American Academy of Family Physicians, American Nurses Associations, Federation of American Hospitals, American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, and American Medical Association.

Quick Hits

ASAE chart on the three Democratic health care proposals….  Hospital associations working with Congress to reduce health care costs (subscription)… Many DC-area nonprofits have low budget reserves… Washington Post-ABC poll on health care finds mixed views on comprehensive reform

President Obama yesterday addressed the annual meeting of the American Medical Association (AMA) and waded into some of the controversies surrounding health care reform.

Last week, the AMA issued a statement expressing discomfort with the idea of a public insurance plan, and has scheduled a vote this week during the annual meeting to establish a position on the idea. The president tried to woo the membership by addressing the issue head on and reiterating the argument that it was needed to level the playing field with traditional insurance companies.

President Obama also ruled-out the idea of reform including a “single payer system” or all health insurance provided by the government: “There are countries where a single-payer system may be working. But I believe - and I’ve even taken some flak from members of my own party for this belief - that it is important for us to build on our traditions here in the United States. So, when you hear the naysayers claim that I’m trying to bring about government-run health care, know this - they are not telling the truth.”

In addition, the president reiterated his support for legislation with employer and individual mandates as well as calling for a revenue-neutral bill paid for by his charitable tax deduction rate reduction proposal and elimination of waste in the health care system. He also referred to health care costs as a “ticking time-bomb” that needs to be addressed to prevent a long-term budget disaster.

Rep. Tom Price (R-GA), a non-practicing orthopedic surgeon and AMA member, held a pre-speech conference call with reporters to argue against any proposed public plan. “When the government is running something, it subsidizes it to the point private industry can’t compete,” he said on the call.

Did you find President Obama’s speech convincing (especially if you work in a medical profession)?

Quick Hits

Congressional Budget Office releases HELP bill estimates (letter here)… Kaiser Family Foundation Poll finds Americans support health care reforms, but not pay-fors… American Hospital Association CEO (and ASAE member) Richard Umbdenstock speaks out against president’s plan to cut Medicare and Medicaid… Today’s 2:30 PM HELP Committee hearing has been moved to tomorrow (Wednesday) at 10:00 AM.

Earlier this week, representatives of several organizations and associations with a stake in health care reform were called to the White House to provide their perspectives on reforming the health care system and reducing costs.

“[W]e have joined together in an unprecedented effort, as private sector stakeholders—physicians, hospitals, other health care workers, payors, suppliers, manufacturers, and organized labor—to offer concrete initiatives that will transform the health care system,” wrote the collective leaders of six health care organizations.

This joint effort is exactly what ThePowerofA.org seeks to demonstrate — that, combined, associations are problem solvers with the experience, expertise and resources needed to tackle the toughest challenges our country faces.

That President Obama called our country’s associations to the center of the debate is strong evidence that associations and their members are (and will be) critically important resources as this administration works toward health care reform.

Not every association, however, will have the opportunity to have the ear of the President on every issue.  That’s where ThePowerofA.org comes in.  In a previous post, ASAE CEO John Graham asked readers and association members, “Imagine if you were sitting across the table today with a member of the Obama administration or a legislative director for a member of Congress. What would you want them to know about your association and your members that might assist them in crafting good policy?”

Leaders of several associations had the privilege of answering that question this week.  It’s a question that’s as critical now as ever.  To give your answer, click ‘get involved‘ to give your answer or comment below and let us know what you think about the recent Health Care summit.

Chris Vest
Director, Public Policy
ASAE