CONGRATULATIONS to CCAHU for winning Chapter of the Year & Outstanding Chapter Newsletter!!! Celebrating Over 20 Years

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1 Celebrating Over 20 Years N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R E - N E W S L E T T E R T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S : Calendar 2 Board 3 President s Message CAHU Sales Conference Photos Terry s House Donation 2010 Health Forum Save the Date! Serving Fresno Day CAHU PAC One Minute Message Legislative Update Member Survey Results December Luncheon Save the Date Member Spotlights Oktoberfest CONGRATULATIONS to CCAHU for winning Chapter of the Year & Outstanding Chapter Newsletter!!!

2 Association Calendar November 5th 9th December 2nd 7th Membership Luncheon Sponsored by: SeeChange Health CE: 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. TorNino s - Fresno, CA B.O.D. Meeting 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. DiBuduo & DeFendis Membership Luncheon Sponsored by: Word & Brown CE: 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. TorNino s - Fresno, CA B.O.D. Meeting 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. DiBuduo & DeFendis For more information on any of these events please call (800) or visit CCAHU was organized in 1986 because of the need for a local organization for those who sell and distribute health insurance products to have a voice in determining their professional skills. The mission of CCAHU is to promote the highest standards of professionalism and integrity. We will achieve this though education, public service and communicating to our members, the consuming public and government entities. CA Dept of Insurance (916) Sac (213) LA (619) SanDiego (415) SF CAHU PO Box 1071 Fresno, CA (800) The Grapevine is a bimonthly newsletter of the Central California Association of Health Underwriters. It is written and published by the Board of Directors of CCAHU and designed for the general benefit and the public. Permission is required to reprint original material, and it will usually be given upon request. Correspondence or letters to the editor and Advertising inquires should be addressed to The Grapevine, CCAHU, PO Box 1071, Fresno, CA , Ph. (800) Subscription is free with membership. CCAHU is a non-profit professional association affiliated with the National and California Association of Health Underwriters. NAHU 2000 N. 14th St #450 Arlington, VA (703) Are you receiving CCAHU s? If you are not, we do not have your correct address. There is a lot of information that is sent to CCAHU members via ; don t miss out! Send us your address today at info@ccahu.org Luncheon Meetings Luncheons are held at TorNino s Banquets 5080 N. Blackstone Ave. (East Side of Street-Between Barstow & Shaw) Fresno, CA. Board Meetings Board Meetings are held on the Monday after the Monthly Luncheon each month from 12:00p.m. 1:30p.m. at DiBuduo & DeFendis Insurance. Budget We would like our local CCAHU members to be aware that our chapter s written annual budget and financial statements are available for review. Should you like to request a copy please contact Barry Maas at bmaas@asibenefits.com Bylaws We would like our local CCAHU members to be aware that our chapter s bylaws are available for review. Should you like to request a copy please contact Shauna Dickinson at sdickinson@pesc.com CCAHU Central California s Benefits Specialists PO Box 1071 Fresno, CA PH: (800) Advertising Rates: Ad Size Size Two Issues Electronic Six Pack Full Page 7 1/2 x 10 $400 $1000 1/2 Page 7 1/2 x 5 $300 $750 * No extra charge for full-color ads! P A G E 2 Editor Ed Dunn III edunn@wordandbrown.com Newsletter Coordinator Shauna Dickinson sdickinson@pesc.com Advertising Shauna Dickinson PH: (559) For more information, please contact Shauna Dickinson (800)

3 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2009 PAGE CCAHU Board of Directors President Rick Kolstad Immediate Past President Jodi Ferguson Eaton & Eaton PH: (559) com Blue Shield of CA PH: (559) President Elect Espy Turley VP Public Affairs Sandy Rogers LISI PH: (559) DiBuduo & DeFendis PH: (559) VP Finance Barry Maas Administrative Solutions, Inc. PH: (559) VP Communications Ed Dunn III Word & Brown PH: (559) VP Legislation Zachary Trogdon LISI PH: (559) ext VP Membership Genevieve Hormel Blue Shield of CA PH: (559) VP Awards Shann Conner Secretary Cecilia Funk Health Net. PH: (559) VP PAC Peter Mehta LISI PH: (559) VP Education Wellman Shew Shew & Company Ins. PH: (559) Member at Large Tiffiny Bailey-Khoury Assurant PH: (916) Member at Large Michelle Taschler Kaiser Permanente PH: (559) Warner Pacific PH: (559) VP Programs Catherine Lumsden Member at Large Pam Campbell DiBuduo & DeFendis PH: (559) Blue Shield of CA PH: (559)

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5 PAGE 5 President s Message By: Rick Kolstad, CCAHU President Any time we contemplate the legislative activities in Sacramento and Washington, D.C. we quickly become agitated and extremely aggravated. So before we get too far into this newsletter and article, I would like you to take a moment and back away from your computer, reach around with one hand or the other and pat yourself on the back (or in the alternative, give yourself a fist-bump, a high-five/low-five or whatever else works for a congratulatory celebration) because, in addition to an award for best chapter newsletter, for the second year in a row, WE WON CAHU CHAPTER OF THE YEAR!!!! This is a strong statement for the quality of our entire membership. Last week in Burbank during the annual CAHU Sales Conference (which also serves as our state convention) at the Burbank Marriott Hotel (rumored to serve a great martini at their restaurant/bar according to some) I spoke with Ross Pendergraft, president of LAAHU (the largest chapter in our state and perhaps the country); his chapter with more than 400 members average attendance is between 70 and 100 members a month. This is close to our own average luncheon attendance with a membership closer to 140 (actually, we d be disappointed with only 70). Your attendance at our luncheons, our CE classes and our social and special events are noteworthy throughout the state and at NAHU. This is something for which we can be extremely proud! Our board and our members truly enjoy one another s company; apparently this is a phenomenon rather than commonplace. I m always proud when told by a carrier, GA, CAHU/NAHU or Region 8 officer that CCAHU is their favorite chapter, and everyone here is responsible. So just for a moment let s all say, Hooray for us! By the way, we re not resting on our laurels. By the time you read this we will have enjoyed our Oktoberfest CE and member social, which was a great success; we have Serve Fresno coming up November 14 th ; our annual Christmas Luncheon extravaganza; a walk down Christmas Tree Lane; Change is in the air Health Forum; NAHU Capitol Conference; Golf Tournament and much more. For the future, we hope we can introduce a Health Fair to the community and perhaps offer some Halloween activity for our youngsters along with many other social and practical events. Along the way we want to remember our PAC; we can improve our member participation in the PAC by giving $10 per month; our chapter is already a Diamond contributor. We need to remember to participate in all the Operation Shout s, keep in touch with our local, state and national legislators; invite a colleague or competitor to join our association and continue to do what we do best. I would be remiss in the midst of all this self-congratulation if I didn t thank one other key element to any success that we have enjoyed over the past few years; that is, PESC (specifically Matt Haas, Patrice Loretta, Peggy Maas and despite her low profile, Cynthia Downing along with their fantastic and professional staff); finally, our own administrator, Shauna Dickinson who is also our event planner and the glue that holds the whole thing together (to use a time-worn cliché); the amount of background work she and the rest of the staff does is too great to recount here. Whenever you happen to see Shauna or any of the other PESC staff, please tell them how much you appreciate the job they do for you and our entire chapter. Thank you all. Let s keep up the good work and go for a three-peat! Chapter of the Year Outstanding Chapter Newsletter

6 PAGE CAHU Sales Conference CCAHU wins Chapter of the Year and Outstanding Chapter Newsletter!! Chuck Trogdon announcing annual PAC Awards CAHU s Presidential Reception Rick Kolstad accepting one of CCAHU s Awards

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11 PAGE 11 CCAHU Community Service Committee and Serving Fresno Day Members of CCAHU have historically been more than generous with financial support of local community based organizations and charities. With recognition from NAHU, local chapters are being encouraged to create formal committees with the focus on community service. CCAHU is now forming its Community Service Committee as a way to harness what we ve done all along- give back to the community in which we earn our living. The work we put into our annual CCAHU golf tournament (partial proceeds which have been benefiting CASA of Fresno and Madera Counties) will naturally fit into the framework of our new Committee as well as creating awareness of the various volunteer opportunities that can be matched with CCAHU members who are interested in working together as an Association. Our Committee s first opportunity is the annual Serving Fresno Day, which is Saturday, November 14. This year, Hands On Central California will host numerous projects throughout Fresno. The goal is to engage the Fresno community and illustrate the fact that by working together, we can create positive change. CCAHU has participated in Serving Fresno Day over the last few years and our numbers have been growing. This is a perfect way to pay it forward with only having to commit to a few hours out of one day. Family members are also encouraged to participate. To help launch the CCAHU Community Service Committee, the CCAHU November 5 Luncheon speaker will be Cathy Caples, Executive Director of Hands On Central California. She ll share how her organization serves as a catalyst for mobilizing volunteers to meet community needs and how CCAHU can become a part of this movement. Please contact Cecilia Funk, CCAHU Community Service Chair at Cecilia.Funk@HealthNet.com if you would like to sign up for Serving Fresno Day and/or learn more about becoming involved in CCAHU community service. November Membership Meeting Alan Katz is coming to offer a sales related CE prior to our November meeting. As most of you know, Alan is a national authority on health care reform. He is an extremely accomplished speaker who will also be introducing a new carrier that will be opening up and administered in Fresno. We look forward to seeing you at the meeting. Wellman D. Shew, CLU CCAHU VP Education

12 PAGE 12 Thanks To Our El Capitan Sponsors!

13 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2009 PAGE CAHU PAC One Minute Message Chuck Trogdon VP of PAC October One Minute Message We are next.. While most will say the Health Care Reform Debate will soon come to a close, it is now time for us to prepare the way for a new system, a new generation if you will, of Health Care delivery. While no one knows the final outcome of the debate as of yet, we are confident there will be changes. The changes will be in the form of State legislation. Our involvement in this new generation of the health care delivery system will be based on our position in the California State Legislature. In the end it is believed we will rise or fall based on our efforts to lobby our case (the role of the agent) to the legislature. To have a seat at the table we must use all of our resources to gain access. relationships, citizen lobbying, our professional lobbyists and our PAC funds. That includes In the end we will be judged by not only the size of our PAC but by the number of our association members who make a contribution. You see if our numbers show only 10% of our membership cares enough to make a contribution to our PAC then we will appear weak. We need every member to make some contribution to our PAC in order to show our strength, moreover to show we care enough about our job, our industry and our livelihood to make a financial investment. I believe, like you, that we work in a noble profession but at times no one else seems to know this, but us! We need your commitment, $20 per month to show our members care enough about what they do to make a small financial investment in their careers. Join me now in making a commitment towards the CAHU PAC. Stand up for what we believe in and let s show Sacramento that we all have a stake in this debate and that we are a valuable part of the Health Care delivery system October Luncheon 13

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15 Late Breaking Legislative News By: Zac Trogdon, VP Legislation P A G E 1 5 This just in-the House bill HR 3962 Affordable Healthcare for America Act was introduced, and in complete disregard for going green, totals 1,990 pages. It purports to insure 96% of all Americans, cost only $894 billion and reduce about $30 billion from the deficit over 10 years. It will: forbid basing premiums or denials on factors such as pre-existing conditions, race or gender; limit age rating; cap out-ofpocket expenses; require dental, hearing and vision for children; cover preventive care at no cost; and in the ultimate cost-cutting effort, close Medicare Part D s donut hole. Making Medicare and Medicaid more efficient will pay for the new costs plus surcharge the top 0.3% of U.S. households; and other tax measures. Editor s note: Beware of other tax measures. With no regard for his constituents, Reid decides to include Public plan in Senate bill On Monday afternoon, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced that the bill (a product of two merged bills from two separate committees) he takes to the floor will include a public plan option with an opt out provision. Although he said he believes the bill will have "the support of my caucus, he admitted, after a great deal of obfuscation, that he did not have commitments from the 58 Democrats and 2 independents he needs to prevent a filibuster. The White House said Reid had the President s support, and quoted the President as saying he supports the public option because it has the potential to play an essential role in holding insurance companies accountable through choice and competition. Editor s note: Righhhttttt. He s hoping to appease Democratic moderates who have said they prefer the opt in provision; Republican Sen. Olympia J. Snowe of Maine, who was deeply disappointed that the public plan option was in the bill; and Independent Sen. Joe Lieberman, who said he will not back any bill that includes a public plan. Of course our problem is that we know the public plan option will not only shrink the pool of individuals covered by private insurance, but it will also skim off those needed to provide balanced risk pools. We can expect the plan to ultimately shift costs to businesses, providers and insurers which will result in an unsustainable system. And of course anyone who remembers the National 55 MPH Speed Limit from the early 70 s or the seat belt mandate in the late 80 s or early 90 s knows that it is very difficult for any state to opt out. Let s all think, FILIBUSTER! Associated Press introduces reality check on health insurance industry profits You may have seen this in the Fresno Bee on Monday. The story belies House Speaker Nancy Pelosi s statement and the insinuations of others that health insurance companies make immoral profits. The story goes on to point out that the industry s profits are much lower than those of other industries such as railroads and communications. The story says: Insurers are an expedient target for leaders who want a government-run plan in the marketplace, but in pillorying insurers over profits, the critics are on shaky ground. Ledgers tell a different reality. CCAHU Members get the word out: Wellman Shew had his letter published in on Thursday, October 24 th, Fresno Bee, titled: It s about sharing the risk. He wrote: Guarantee issue with a weak individual mandate will not work! President Obama, Congress and the mainstream media want to portray the insurance industry as the villain for bringing up legitimate points. Insurance 101 says that insurance is a sharing of risk. That means you have enough good risks to offset the bad risks. Guarantee issue is not a problem if you cover enough people and have a balance of good and bad risks. The problem that comes out of the Senate Finance Committee bill is that they want guarantee issue without really forcing participation. A $200 fine will not get enough healthy people to sign up. Politically we do not seem willing to force people to buy coverage they may not want. Without a meaningful fine, many healthy people will opt out. You will have a disproportionate number of expensive unhealthy people in the pool. As a general rule, 20% of the people will spend 80% of your claim dollars. It doesn t take a rocket scientist to figure that rates will go up if you do not balance the pool with enough healthy to offset the influx of unhealthy people. The Price Waterhouse study may not be perfect but it does support what I have to say. Janet Trautwein of NAHU had a letter in the Bee last week, and CCAHU president, Rick Kolstad took part on Valley Public Radio s Quality of Life, a two-hour discussion of Health Reform and its challenges. Now it s up to you to take action! Respond to the next Operation Shout or even before that, contact your representative in the house and in the senate. Even when you send a simple response in an Operation Shout that response is noted and counted. You can also contact your local representative s local staff and register your concerns; if you know one personally, contact them; finally, don t forget to join the CAHU PAC and the NAHU HUPAC. Urge your friends and colleagues in this industry to join CCAHU and swell the number of concerned voters. Nothing influences a politician as much as numbers. THE TIME IS NOW!!

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17 P A G E 1 7 Member Survey Results How long have you been a health insurance professional? Less than 2 years 2-5 years 6-10 years 11+ years How long have you been a health insurance professional? What designations do you hold? 4 2 What designations do you hold? 0 HIA RHU LUTCF CES CLU MHP CHFC How well does chapter provide CE credits? Very High How well does chapter provide CE credits? Continued.

18 P A G E 1 8 Which topic would you like to se offered by your chapter this year? Series COBRA HSAs Long Term Ethics HIPAA HRAs Self-Funding MediCare Small Group Underwriting Sales Long Term Large Group Life Cafeteria Voluntary Human Agency Managed Social Annuity What percentage of your CE credits do you receive from CCAHU events/programs? % 80% 60% 40% 20% Less than 20% What percentage of your CE credits do you receive from CCAHU events/programs? Preferred method for earning CE credits 1 CE course during the CCAHU luncheon 2 CE course before CCAHU luncheon 3 CE during Health Forum 4 Tailgate or event CE course 5 Online CE course 6 Conference/CE Day 7 Self-Study course 8 Teleconference

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21 PAGE 21 December Luncheon Mark your calendars! The December luncheon will be held on Wednesday, December 2nd at TorNino s Banquets 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 10:00 a.m. CE with Don Goldmann Join us for some good food, holiday cheer and a very special guest!

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23 PAGE 23 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2009 Oktoberfest huge success!!! Copper River Country Club was the setting for our Oktoberfest sponsored by Benefit Mall, The Guardian and Employer Network CE event, followed by a membership social. It drew rave reviews by all who participated. The first CE hour was provided by Christina Castro of ASI and featured the latest information on COBRA and related issues. It was interesting and informative. The second hour was presented by Mark Roberts whose father had been a Dale Carnegie franchisee; Mark presented a course on selling practices that can be adopted by brokers, general agent reps and carrier reps and will result in increased success. Everyone throughout the state and nation knows that CCAHU is synonymous with fun; this was no different. Great finger food ranging from mini tacos to mixed nuts (no reference to anyone in particular, we re describing the food) complemented the water, soda, coffee, beer, wine and top-shelf liquor. Whenever state or national AHU personnel talk about our chapter, they mention their amazement at the camaraderie they observe between brokers and note that this is not generally the case in most chapters. You can see from the photos that we all have a great time together and share our thoughts and ideas as true friends and professionals. Special thanks go to Jodi Ferguson, Shann Conner, Catherine Lumsden and Wellman Shew for making this event happen; we must also thank Shauna Dickinson and Peggy Maas for their help in helping it run smoothly; we can t forget CAHU, PESC and the Education Database for the actual CE assistance and registration. Again, we don t want to forget our wonderful sponsors: Chris Peters and Benefit Mall; David Miller and Ron from Employer Network (extra thanks for the special raffle prizes); and The Guardian with Brady Spencer our new local rep. Be on the alert for more of this type of fun. Some of the ideas we have simmering are 2nd Annual Christmas Tree Lane walk and after-party; our Christmas-themed Luncheon (remember it s a different day than the normal first Thursday of the month); a bowling party and many more. We are already working on our Serve Fresno (helping at the Marjorie Mason center) in November, annual Health Forum, the Casino Night that immediately precedes it, Day at the Capitol in Sacramento (look for an announcement regarding a rolling party to and from the Capitol), and Golf Tournament. Perhaps Belinda Roberts who came all the way from Exeter to attend said it best, Keep putting on these parties, you know how to really have fun! Oktoberfest Photos

24 PAGE 24 Member Spotlight Name: Murial Holmes Education: Central High School, Kansas City MO; BA-University of Colorado, Boulder CO; MA-California Polytechnic, San Luis Obispo CA Year Started in Insurance Business: 1954 (sold 7 years later) 16 year Hiatus in Education, then back into Insurance in Year Joined CCAHU: 2000 What one word describes you? Persistent If you had one wish what would it be and why? That all people would follow Jesus teaching to love one another. What are your hobbies or favorite past-times? Reading, Listening to classical music and fishing. Favorite Movie: Lilies of the Field What was your first job and what did you learn from it? Assistant Placement Director for a radio and television technical school; learned to deal with many different personalities people with many different backgrounds and goals. Do you have a mentor or who has been your role model and why: Jr. High School Civics teacher and a Los Angeles criminal attorney. What is the best advice you have ever been given? Abide by God s laws; follow Jesus teachings live by the Golden Rule. Do you have a favorite cause/charity? Cause is protection and propagation of national resources and intelligent use of them. Charities are Fresno Rescue Mission, Evangel Home and Nancy Hinds Hospice.

25 PAGE 25 Member Spotlight Name: Nancy Flores Nickname: Nanners High School graduated from: Yerba Buena High School Year Started in Insurance Business: 1993 Year Joined CCAHU: 2005 What one word describes you? Goofy If you had one wish what would it be and why? To survive parenting my teen to adulthood without major malfunction. What are your hobbies or favorite past-times? Camping (but not in a tent), growing plants - I m new to the whole horticulture world and I like it. Favorite Movie: Kill Bill and Kill Bill II What was your first job and what did you learn from it? Raging Waters - The pools at water parks have more bacteria than you will ever want to know about. Do you have a mentor or who has been your role model and why: A woman by the name of Margaret Baker. She was my first manager when I started in this business back in 1993 on the P&C side. What is the best advice you have ever been given? Be independent and self sufficient. Be able to rely completely on yourself and be with someone because you want to be not because you have to be. Do you have a favorite cause/charity? The Poverello House