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Why are you a member of NMAHU?
If you've ever asked yourself that question I hope the following helps answer it. Because of your contributions and participation in the organization, we're able to effectuate change that enhances our industry.
Exhibit A: The Pace Act. As you know, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) stated that the group size definitions would change in 2016. Starting in 2016, small groups would be 100 Full-time-equivalents (FTE) and under and Large Group would be any sized group 101 FTE and larger. This meant that a group that was 51 in size in 2015 and rated as large group, would be considered a small group in 2016. Moving to small group would have meant being confined to packaged metal tier plans, covering the 10 essential health benefits, having a smaller drug list, being member-level rated, and additional taxes and fees. Can you imagine the nightmare of that scenario for groups 51-100 in size? Thankfully, NAHU's lobbying efforts were successful. Because of your contribution to NAHU, the organization was able to tackle this part of the legislation by advocating and putting forth resources for its removal. And the result: The President signed the PACE Act which allows states to define the size of their small-group markets instead of being forced into the single national standard beginning January 2016. And due to the work that our state organization, Michigan Association of Health Underwriters, is doing, the State will in fact define a small group as being 50 and under FTE. This is a win for you, a win for your group clients and a win for State's rights.
Again, if you've ever questioned the reasons behind your NAHU membership, I hope that you clearly see that without you Exhibit A would have never happened.
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