Advocacy in action blog

NAIFA will host the 10^th annual Congressional Conference May 22-23 in Washington, D.C. The event will feature targeted advocacy training with briefings on legislative issues that affect members’ businesses and the clients they serve. Expert presenters will offer best practices for conducting Congressional meetings and tips for developing impactful long-term relationships with legislators.

NAIFA strongly supports efforts to prevent the financial exploitation of seniors and vulnerable adults. As trusted and licensed insurance and financial professionals who abide by a Code of Ethics and work in the best interests of their clients, NAIFA members are often ideally positioned to recognize and help prevent financial abuse and exploitation.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has published its final marketing rule for Medicare Advantage (MA) and Medicare Part D (Part D) plans. Below you can read about key changes that will most impact NAIFA members, as well as some of NAIFA’s concerns that were addressed by CMS.

On April 19, U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Mark Warner (D-VA) reintroduced the NAIFA-supported Securing and Enabling Commerce Using Remote and Electronic Notarization Act. This bipartisan bill would permit the nationwide use of Remote Online Notarizations (RONs), enabling notaries and signers to complete the process from different physical locations.

Last month, NAIFA-NC signed up 10 new contributors to NAIFA's political action committee, IFAPAC, in one day. Congratulations to these individuals who joined the ranks of NAIFA members working together to advocate for the individuals, families, and small businesses that make up Main Street USA, and a special thank you to NAIFA-NC IFAPAC Chair Elie Aharon, LACP, LUTCF.

American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) President and CEO Susan Neely and NAIFA-Washington President Karl Kuntz issued the following joint statement on legislation signed into law in Washington that strengthens protections for annuity consumers:

“The new law sponsored by Representative Kristine Reeves, approved by the legislature, and signed by Governor Jay Inslee strengthens protections for consumers in Washington state seeking lifetime income through annuities.

NAIFA applauds the leadership of Representatives Young Kim (R-CA) and Joyce Beatty (D-OH) on the relaunch of the Congressional Financial Literacy and Wealth Creation Caucus for the 118th Congress. The Congresswomen are an excellent duo to co-chair this bipartisan group of legislators committed to empowering Americans with the tools needed to build wealth and achieve financial stability.

The NAIFA state legislative wins continue! This time it’s NAIFA-West Virginia that is celebrating being the 19^th state to adopt financial literacy coursework as a requirement for high school graduation. HB 3113 was signed into law by Governor Jim Justice on March 23, 2023. NAIFA-West Virginia worked closely with the West Virginia Education Association to advocate for the bill in both chambers.

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed SB 1369 into law on March 21, 2023, making Tennessee the 24^th state to eliminate producer pre-licensing mandates. NAIFA-Tennessee applauds and thanks bill sponsors Senator Steve Southerland and Senator Ken Yager for carrying the legislation. NAIFA-Tennessee worked hard on the ground to educate lawmakers on the positive change this will be for increasing producer recruitment.

NAIFA is celebrating a major legislative win out of Idaho. On March 20, 2023, Idaho Governor Brad Little signed H. 92 into law, making Idaho the 18^th state to adopt financial literacy coursework as a requirement for high school graduation. The bill passed the Idaho House of Representatives 67-0-3 and the Idaho Senate 34-0-1.