President's Perspective... While the Connector has been busy reviewing and approving health plans for the Connector, grappling with the definition of a "minimum creditable health plan" and working on other issues within their jurisdiction (including setting producer compensation in the Connector), MassAHU has also been busy - updating our position on health care reform issues, meeting with Connector staff, key legislators and the health carriers about the role of producers in health care reform, and another looming issue - that of producer compensation in the Connector.  With the expertise of our lobbyist, Dan Foley, we are making headway on this important issue. I must tell you that this has not been an easy task - the board members of the Connector for the most part do not know what producers do and how we deliver value to the proposition of insuring the uninsured.  In fact, without the wording in Chapter 58 clearly indicating producers will be compensated for Connector business, we would most certainly be cut out of the process by this Connector Board.  It is important for every member to know that we are taking up the issue of distribution and compensation through many avenues, trying to gain support and understanding of our role.  We hope to prevail in the end, but don't despair if you hear otherwise from the Connector or the media.  Instead, call to ask what you can do to help, because we need our membership to have a united voice and a voice that is heard from Pittsfield to Provincetown.

Connector Board Endorses Plans from 7 Carriers.
Insurance products unanimously endorsed today by the Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Authority board of directors will offer a wide assortment of affordable products for individuals and small businesses to choose from through the Connector beginning May 1. The plans offer a choice of deductibles ranging from zero to $2,000 with prescription drug coverage. For more details, click here.

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Distribution of Products: The Connector is established to operate as a health exchange and not intended to negotiate rates or benefits with carriers. Click here for full position.

Producer Compensation: The reform law states that commissions will be paid. Click here for full position.

Producer Accreditation: Massachusetts already requires licensed producers to obtain 45 continuing ed hours per three year period. We do not support a separate certification or accreditation for selling products through the Connector. Click here for full position.

Minimum Creditable Coverage: Regulations for minimum creditable coverage should not impede consumers from purchasing or carriers from developing federally qualified high deductible plans. Click here for the full position statement. Click here for full position.

Health Insurance Mandates: We do not believe that mandates should be modified for a specific market segmnet (i.e. young adults), as families and older adults need affordable options as well. Click here for full position.

Transparency: The rapid expansion of information technology will only be meaningful if we offer plans in both the subsidized and commercial market that encourage active consumerism and "individual responsibility" and move away from the concept of unlimited access without regard for cost in the future. Click here for full position.

Insurance Partnership Subsidy Program: MassAHU supports the expansion but limiting eligibility to employees of small groups should be removed. Click here for the full position statement. Click here for full position.

Individualized Subsidized Products: MassAHU favors the expansion of subsidies that encourage productive employment but in the future, it may be necessary to open up the market to more plans with increased flexibility. Click here for full position.

S-CHIP: National level research has shown that parents and children are more likely to go for preventative and routine medical care when covered by the same plan. Click here for full position.

Tax Policy: MassAHU commends the state for its initiative and we support further addressing of this issue on a national basis. Click here for full position.

Employer Assessment: MassAHU feels that an employer mandate provides a platform for further regulartory control and precedent for increasing the mandate amounts over time. Click here for full position.

Medical Malpractice:: MassAHU supports preserving quality providers and quality care options and effecting meaningful malpractice reform to help portect providers from frivolous law suits. Click here for full position.