In May, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a Final Rule which revises the Medicare Advantage (Part C) program and the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit (Part D) program regulations to implement changes related to marketing and communications, past performance, Star Ratings, network adequacy, medical loss ratio reporting, special requirements during disasters or public emergencies, and pharmacy price concessions.
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NAIFA Works to Lessen the Impact of CMS Final Rule
Topics: Health Care Medicare Federal Advocacy CMS Producer Sales & Marketing
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Advocacy Rewind: Spotlight on NAIFA-Nebraska
On March 1, 2022, NAIFA-Nebraska hosted their successful Legislative Day event in Lincoln. NAIFA-NE members in attendance received briefings from:
Topics: State Advocacy Grassroots Nebraska
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NAIFA Favors Federal Privacy Protections But Urges Changes to Draft Proposal
NAIFA and other trade associations have sent a letter to influential members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee expressing concerns with the discussion draft of the American Data Privacy and Protection Act, which is a national uniform privacy law proposal.
NAIFA supports federal laws and regulations protecting the confidentiality of personal information and believes policy at the federal level will help avoid problems a variety of confusing and potentially contradictory state laws would cause. NAIFA members provide financial products, services, and advice to Main Street American families and businesses. Their clients entrust them with sensitive personal information, so it is among the highest priorities for our industry that we keep that information secure.
Topics: Federal Advocacy Congress
Get Out the Vote Resources Now Available
Whether you're new to political advocacy or a grassroots leader, NAIFA's Get Out the Vote is a great resource for everything you need to know about NAIFA's political advocacy. Find information on polling dates and locations, ballot measures, and your elected officials. Brush up on Government 101 or find the text of individual bills—this site has useful information for everyone.
Topics: State Advocacy Federal Advocacy Grassroots
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SECURE Notarization Amendment Offered for NDAA
The NAIFA-supported SECURE Notarization Act was filed with Rules as an amendment (AMDT #543) to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) on July 8 by Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-PA), Rep. Kelly Armstrong (R-ND), Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO), Rep. Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA), and Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-TX).
NAIFA joined with industry partners in a letter to express strong support for NDAA amendment #543. The text of the amendment is taken from H.R. 3962, the SECURE Notarization Act, which has the strong, bipartisan support of 113 cosponsors.
Topics: Federal Advocacy Congress Remote Notarization Producer Sales & Marketing
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NAIFA Expands its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Efforts through New Outreach to Financial Services Professionals and Prospective Professionals
NAIFA Invites Women and Hispanic Agents and Advisors to Two New Programs in August
The National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) has announced the addition of two programs that will run on Tuesday, August 16th pre-conference to its upcoming Apex event being held in Phoenix, Arizona. The sessions focus on raising awareness for state, interstate, and federal advocacy and stress the importance of financial advisors to get involved, starting with voting, in the political process.
Topics: Diversity State Advocacy Federal Advocacy
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NAIFA's O'Gara Asks DOL to Preserve Advisors' Independent Status
Josh O'Gara, CLU, ChFC, CFP, loyal member since 2011, spoke on behalf of NAIFA during the U.S. Department of Labor's virtual public forum on the classification of employees and independent contractors under the Fair Labor Standards Act. NAIFA strongly supports an exemption for insurance and financial professionals under any legislation or DOL regulation that would reclassify independent contractors as employees.
Topics: Federal Advocacy Grassroots DOL
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New Law in Hawaii Strengthens Protections for Annuity Consumers
American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) President and CEO Susan Neely and National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) Hawaii Government Relations Chair Cynthia Takenaka issued the following joint statement on legislation signed into law in Hawaii that strengthens protections for annuity consumers:
Topics: State Advocacy Standard of Care & Consumer Protection Annuity Best Interest Hawaii
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SECURE 2.0 Takes Next Step Toward Enactment
NAIFA and other interested parties sent a letter of appreciation to the Senate Finance Committee Chairman Wyden (D-OR) and Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-ID) for their leadership in releasing the Enhancing American Retirement Now (EARN) Act, which would enhance retirement security for many Americans.
Topics: Retirement Planning Federal Advocacy Congress Supported Legislation
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Michigan Passes High School Financial Literacy Education Requirement
NAIFA is proud that Michigan is the 14th state to embrace a personal finance education course requirement. Michigan's legislation requires that all high school students take a half-credit course in personal finance before they graduate. The Michigan House of Representatives passed HB 5190 by a vote of 94-13 and the bill passed the state's Senate in May with a vote of 35-2. Members of NAIFA-Michigan, who first created this concept a decade ago with legislation to create optional courses, celebrate the signature of Governor Whitmer updating Michigan’s high school curriculum to include a financial literacy course.
