09/14/2007
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NFIB/Virginia State Director Julia Ciarlo Hammond, left, shown with NFIB members and guests at last week's Northern Virginia Area Action Council meeting, discussed the political landscape in Richmond. |
Late last month, NFIB hit the road to share information with members and field their questions on two key issues – lack of access to affordable health care and the state of politics in Virginia and across the country.
NFIB/Virginia hosted meetings in Harrisonburg and Lynchburg, with Catherine Harrison of the Virginia Association of Health Plans serving as keynote speaker. Harrison discussed the state of managed health care in the Commonwealth, noting only Maryland has more health-care mandates than Virginia. She said mandates are driving up the cost of health insurance plans for small-business owners and forcing many out of the market altogether.
Waynesboro's Mona Fitzgerald with Shenandoah Carpet and Interiors asked Harrison, "What is the best way to negotiate my group health plan rate when this year's quote is 38 percent higher than last year's?"
Harrison suggested price-shopping with other providers, including looking at other plans and trying to negotiate the best rate for her business.
Gene Moore of JB Moore Electrical Contractors of Lynchburg offered a common challenge facing many NFIB members.
"I cannot provide group coverage for my employees due to the fact I have several employees that cause our group coverage to be astronomically expensive," he said.
Harrison and NFIB/Virginia State Director Julia Ciarlo Hammond fielded other questions and comments on a wide variety of health plan issues. NFIB members asked Harrison about the benefits of HSAs, or heath savings accounts, with some asking about their viability. A copy of Harrison's presentation is available by e-mailing Maeve.Goff@NFIB.org.
A day later, other NFIB members talked politics in McLean.
Lisa Goeas, vice president of Political for NFIB, presented "Understanding the Importance of Virginia's Political Landscape: Election Preview 2008." Goeas highlighted trends in current polling data and discussed the national political scene. Her presentation also noted several battleground races across the country and their implications on small-business issues.
Ciarlo Hammond then discussed the political climate in Virginia. She noted the importance of this year's election for small business and the battle to control the Senate. All seats in both chambers in Virginia are up for reelection, with party control in the Senate up for grabs.
"Virginia is in the homestretch of this year's election season, and campaigns and candidates are going to pull out all the stops to win your vote," Hammond said. "Candidates are courting the business community touting tax, transportation and business reforms. NFIB is encouraging our members to get involved to ensure Virginia remains a pro-small-business state."
Members asked both women questions about political trends. Northern Virginia AAC Chairman T.R. Cook with Cook's Photo-Art Studio in Vienna presented the Honorable Vince Callahan will a plaque acknowledging his longstanding support for small business in the House of Delegates.
The NOVA AAC is planning to host another dinner after the November elections.
