PIACT representatives attended the Federal Legislative Summit April 6-7, 2016, in Washington, D.C., where they talked with their legislators about health care and flood insurance.

PIACT representatives included: PIACT President Loretta Lesko, CIC; PIA National Director and PIACT past President Timothy G. Russell, CPCU; past Presidents James Pascarella, CPCU, and Augusto Russell, CIC; PIACT member Rob Lesko; PIACT-YIP President Nick Khamarji Jr.; and Government Affairs Counsel Sarah Coli, J.D.

They asked their elected representatives to co-sponsor S.1661, which would provide that compensation for agents and brokers be exempt from the medical-loss ratio calculation under the health-care law. The bill would reverse the current MLR policy, which has caused reductions in agent compensation and forced agents out of the health market, leaving consumers without guidance in selecting health plans.

Additionally, PIA members asked their representatives to co-sponsor S.2045, which would repeal the excise tax on employer-based health plans. This tax will negatively affect the majority of employer-based plans and PIA supports repealing it before it is implemented in 2020.

Finally, PIA asked their representatives to eliminate the National Flood Insurance Program debt and put the program on the path of fiscal stability. PIA supports a long-term reauthorization of the NFIP that recognizes the role of agents in delivering the program and brings gradual implementation of risk-based rates. PIA also supports the expansion of private flood insurance and encourages legislators to support S.1679, the Flood Insurance Market Parity and Modernization Act. For more on the event, see the June issue of PIA magazine.