1March-April 2004

March-April2004

NAIFA-GA President’sMessage ...................... 3

William Kosic endorsedfor NAIFA Trustee ...... 4

Membership ............... 5

LUTC Classes .............. 5

Commit ToCommitment .............. 5

Awards. ..................... 6

2004 GAIFA & GAHUCalendar of Events...... 7

GAHU President’sMessage ...................... 8

GAHU 14th AnnualConvention ................. 8

GAHU Golf RegistrationForm ....................... 9

GAHU-PAC ContributionForm ....................... 9

NAHU Hails PresidentBush ....................... 10

Georgia Associations of Health Underwriters

5342 Aldeburgh Drive – Suwanee, GA 30024 (1:00 p.m. Shotgun Start – Registration and Driving Range

will open at 10:30 a.m.)

Thursday April 22, 2004$175.00 per participant

Boxed Lunch ProvidedPost Round Awards Reception

Complimentary On-Course RefreshmentsHole in One Prizes

Putting ContestPrizes for the Top Net

and Gross Team Scores

The NAIFA-Georgia 2004 Annual Conven-tion will be held in Chattanooga, Tennessee Fri-day, June 25 through Sunday, June 27. Chat-tanooga is the home to the world’s largest fresh-water aquarium, Look Out Mountain and Dis-covery Kids Museum. We will find excitementin Chattanooga!

We will be staying at the Marriott with thespecial rate of $89.00 plus tax and they will ex-tend the rate if you would like to come in earlyor stay late. Sunday will be open for you to en-joy the beautiful city of Chattanooga. So bringthe family!

We have a golf tournament planned for Fri-day afternoon to benefit our Image BuildersFoundation (NAIFA-Georgia’s scholarshipfund). If you don’t play golf you will have theafternoon to enjoy your favorite Chattanoogaspot via a city shuttle. Lookout Mountain andRuby Falls are just a 20 minute drive away, sohave fun. Don’t forget to save room for thePrime Rib dinner, voted #1 by the “Taste ofChattanooga”, served while we travel down the

2004 ConventionRRRRRosa K. Dosa K. Dosa K. Dosa K. Dosa K. Dominyominyominyominyominy, L, L, L, L, LUTUTUTUTUTCFCFCFCFCF, CSA, RFC, CL, CSA, RFC, CL, CSA, RFC, CL, CSA, RFC, CL, CSA, RFC, CLTTTTTCCCCC

2003-2004 P2003-2004 P2003-2004 P2003-2004 P2003-2004 Prrrrresident-elect & Convesident-elect & Convesident-elect & Convesident-elect & Convesident-elect & Convention Chairpersonention Chairpersonention Chairpersonention Chairpersonention Chairperson

Tennessee River on the Southern Belle. This iswhere we will honor the locals that have workedhard all year with their well deserved awards.Lots of Fun!

After our riverboat cruise the YoungAdvisor’s Council will hold a reception for the40 and under crowd. Special convention rateswill also be available to Young Advisors.

Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine willjoin us for lunch on Friday, but we have 8 hoursof CE planned so we will begin Friday morning.Chuck KinCannon, JD will discuss estate plan-ning, Kevin M. Lynch, CFP, CLU, ChFC, RFC,RHU, REBC, CSA, CSS, LTCIS, CFS with Na-tionwide will ask the question Long Term CareInsurance… Does It Belong In Your AgencyPortfolio? NAIFA President-elect Bob Brown,CLU, LUTCF, NAIFA Trustee Marvin Keys,LUTCF and NAIFA-Georgia’s own Jim Meaders,CLU will also speak. Other speakers will beannounced as they become available.

continued on page 5

2004 Annual Golf ExtravaganzaBear’s Best Golf Club

RegistrationForm on Page 9

March-April 20042

3March-April 2004

NAIFA Georgia1810 Peachtree Industrial Blvd. Suite 233

Duluth, GA 30097-8178770-455-4459 (Toll Free) 800-422-0773

Fax 770-455-4469 www.naifageorgia.org

GAHU503 Hickory Ridge Trail, Suite 110

Woodstock, GA 30188770-516-4746 Fax 770-516-0236

www.gahu.org

Advertising PolicyGeorgia Newsline is a publication of Geor-gia Association of Insurance and FinancialAdvisors Publications, Inc. (NAIFA Geor-gia) and the Georgia Associations of HealthUnderwriters (GAHU) and reserves the rightto reserve any tendered advertisement asto advertiser or text. The Board of Trust-ees realizes the members of NAIFA Geor-gia and GAHU are fully aware of their indi-vidual contractual and moral obligations.Advertising from many companies is pub-lished to keep the membership of NAIFAGeorgia and GAHU informed. Advertisingin Georgia Newsline does not reflect en-dorsement, directly or otherwise, by NAIFAGeorgia and GAHU unless specifically in-dicated. A copy of advertising rates andspecifications may be obtained from NAIFAGeorgia and GAHU at the addresses above.

Editorial PolicyArticles or statements appearing herein donot reflect official NAIFA Georgia or GAHUpolicy unless expressly indicated. GeorgiaNewsline (ISSN 8755-9528) is publishedbimonthly by Newsletters Ink (426 WhitePine Dr., Murray, Utah 84123 (801) 288-2434 email: gabriela@newslettersink.neton behalf of the Georgia Association of In-surance and Financial Advisors and theGeorgia Associations of Health Underwrit-ers. Annual subscription rate for membersof local NAIFA Georgia association is $3,which is included in dues they pay to thoseassociations. Members send addresschanges to your association office(s).

This newsletter is published by:

Newsletters Ink426 White Pine Dr.Murray, UT 84123

Toll Free (800) 639-0465gabriela@newslettersink.net

For advertising information contact:Kate Olson 801-268-3327

WHY THE INSURANCE BUSINESS

Sometimes I have to ask myself, “Whyam I in the insurance business?” Then Ianswer myself, “Because I like making adifference to people.”

I am not completely nuts when I starttalking to myself. I think we have all prob-ably had some second thoughts about whywe joined this business. As the new-yearhas already started it is still not too late toreflect on the past year to analyze our suc-cess and improve on the shortcomings.Not only should this be done on a personalbasis but also as an association.

I want to address why I am a memberof NAIFA by asking a couple of questions,

Do I need NAIFA to be successful? No!Do I need NAIFA to protect my busi-

ness and my clients? YES!

I want a powerful Advocate on CapitolHill in Washington to protect what I dofor a living and what I do for my clients. Icannot do this by myself. Our IFAPAC isone of the largest and most influentialPACs in Washington. I cannot afford thisrepresentation by

myself. I represent one of the leadingcapitol income businesses in America andI want my opinions to be heard. I cannotdo this by myself.

What I fear the most is one day a clientcalling me asking why they have to paytaxes on the cash value of their life insur-ance policy. Or why they have to pay taxeson the death benefit of a life insurancepolicy. I do not want to answer that call.The best way to avoid that call is to be amember of NAIFA.

I did an easy mathematical calculationof how much it cost me to belong. By in-cluding my National, State and Local duesit is less than 1% if I make $30,000 peryear. This is a small price to pay for theinvestment in my business and for my cli-ents who keep me in business.

There have been some big changes atNAIFA this past year. All have been in-tended for the good of the Federation. A

new CEO, DavidWoods was hired inJanuary 2003. Hehas brought in somenew and aggressiveideas to NAIFA. ATask Force was ap-pointed to look atNAIFA and studysome changes thatneeded to be made.From that came a recommendation thatsome bylaws needed to be changed. At theNational Convention in September wepassed seven bylaw changes. One bylawchange that is going to affect Georgia mostdirectly will be the Membership-At-Large.I have asked NAIFA-Georgia 1st Vice Presi-dent Joe Pogue to Chair a Task Force toreview this feasibility for Georgia. We willneed to set parameters to make it a goodchoice for all agents that it may affect. Ifwe do create this new “local” we will haveto make and pass a state bylaw change atour annual meeting. Please give Joe a callif you have any suggestions or input.

By the time you read this, the AnnualDay on the Hill will be past but I can as-sure you that if you missed it you will havemissed an important day. Also the SalesCongress is over. Both of these events aredesigned to help keep you informed tomake you a better agent for your clients.The regulations affecting our business arebecoming more important every day. If weare going to continue to serve our clientsto the best of our ability, it includes beingthere for them when laws concerning theirpolicies are being proposed. This includesall areas of insurance and investments,Property and Causality, Life, Health, Dis-ability and investment products.

Out next major event is the AnnualState Conference. This year we havemoved it to Chattanooga, Tennessee. Wehave decided on a location that is condu-cive to good extra activities for the wholefamily. Rosa is putting together one of thebest events we have ever had. You willwant to be sure to put June 25-27 on yourcalendar. We will have some state bylawchanges that will be voted on. To make

By J. Steve Woodham, CLU

continued on page 6

March-April 20044

NAIFA-Savannah and NAIFA-Georgia have placed in nomina-tion Buddy Kosic, CLU, ChFC as an official candidate for NAIFATrustee for the 2004 NAIFA Convention and Conference to be heldin Las Vegas, NV this September 11-15. Georgia President SteveWoodham, CLU introduced Buddy at the January NAIFA-Atlantageneral membership meeting where Buddy formally announced hiscandidacy for Trustee. Adding strength to his nomination was asecond letter of endorsement from NAIFA-SC where Buddy is anassociate member and past state president.

As a former resident of South Carolina, Buddy has held every of-fice at the local and state with the exception of NationalCommitteeperson. As South Carolina president, Buddy initiated freeCE for every member by developing a traveling regional continuingeducation instructor to visit each region three times per year. Asformer state legislative chair and lobbyist, Buddy helped formulatemany legislative initiatives including the writing and passage of credi-tor protection legislation pertaining to life and disability insurance,successfully lobbying three times against legalized rebating of insur-ance commissions, adopting legislation to ease agent licensing re-quirements prior to obtaining sales illustrations, and developing thesmall employer health availability act for South Carolina, a forerun-ner of Kennedy-Kassabaum legislation, to name a few.

Over the past few years, Buddy has servedon several NAIFA committees including: Re-gional APIC Vice Chair; Core Membershipcommittee (along with past NAIFA-GeorgiaPresident Patty Brown); Financial Institu-tions Task Force; Member Involvement Plan TaskForce; and Governmental Policy Formation sub committee as acurrent member.

Buddy and his wife Suzanne relocated to Savannah, GA in 2002with Wachovia Insurance Services, Inc. where Buddy is a memberof the Wealth team. Prior to his affiliation with Wachovia in 1998,Buddy was a successful General Agent with National Life of Ver-mont in Columbia, SC. Buddy entered the life insurance businesswith Northwestern Mutual Life in Charleston, West Virginia onMarch 1, 1971, after completing an MBA from West Virginia Uni-versity. He has maintained continuous membership in NAIFA since1972. Buddy is a member of MDRT and the Savannah Estate Plan-ning Council. In his spare time, Buddy and Suzanne are both mem-bers of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary and own and operate the his-toric Crystal Beer Parlor, an old Savannah restaurant traditionwhere Buddy can often be found playing drums with the Beer Par-lor Ramblers.

William J. “Buddy” Kosic, CLU, ChFC Endorsedfor NAIFA Trustee!

5March-April 2004

Psychologists and educators tell us there are five ways peoplelearn. They are reading, listening, watching, discussing, anddoing. The LUTC classes are structured to present all of theselearning styles at various times throughout the courses, com-bining all five to provide a very thorough training experience.

A key component in being a successful professional in the in-surance and financial services industry is knowing what to say,how to say it an when to say it. Learning and mastering thesefundamental sales skills is what the LUTC sales training coursesare all about, and they can make the difference in surviving thisgreat industry.

The LUTC courses focus on sales skills, selling procedures,and the application of knowledge in the sales process. In addi-tion to attending a moderator-led class weekly for two-and-a-half hours, students participate in homework projects, field salesaction projects, self-management planning and business man-agement planning activities. Successful completion of these re-quired elements combined with passing a final examination makeup the “LUTC experience.”

Through this experience, students sharpen selling skills, ac-quire knowledge, sell more insurance, increase income, becomemore professional, get off a plateau, earn state-granted CE cred-its, and ultimately earn the LUTCF Designation.

Investing in your own professional development and growthby laying a solid foundation of selling skills through the LUTCProgram will boost your self-confidence and your bottom line!

Ask not what your Association can do for you, but what youcan do for your Association. When a similar statement was madeby our late President John Kennedy, it caused Americans to re-think their opinions and involvements. It made us realize thatAmerica is great because of the many positive contributions fromour citizens. Citizens that wanted to give something back. Thestatement is just as true today as was the original made by ourPresident. A recent survey indicated that new members join ourAssociation for the following reasons: (1) company/managementpolicy, (2) CE credits, (3) networking for sales ideas and (4) so-cial involvement. Each one of these reasons is valid and willmotivate new members to join our organization. However, wehave also found that the main reason members do not renewtheir membership is that they did not realize the value of beinga member. When we take a closer look at this reason, we findthat number (4), above stands out. The member did not get in-volved and was not given the opportunity to give something back.

Many years ago, the NAIFA-Thomasville had a standing pro-gram to assign each member to one of the standing committees.As a new member joined, he or she would be assigned to a com-

MEMBERSHIP………. A Personal InvolvementBBBBBy: Jy: Jy: Jy: Jy: Joseph E. Poseph E. Poseph E. Poseph E. Poseph E. Pogue, NAIFogue, NAIFogue, NAIFogue, NAIFogue, NAIFA-GA-GA-GA-GA-Georgia eorgia eorgia eorgia eorgia VVVVVice Pice Pice Pice Pice Prrrrresident & Mesident & Mesident & Mesident & Mesident & Membership Chairembership Chairembership Chairembership Chairembership Chair

mittee and would function on that committee. It was great to bea member of NAIFA, but it was more rewarding to be on theCommunity Service Committee at NAIFA-Thomasville. This ex-perience made one feel that they belonged, was needed, and wasgiven the opportunity to give something back to the community.Many changes have taken place in our industry and these changeswill continue to occur. Membership, however, is still the key tomaintaining a viable and strong organization and member in-volvement is still very essential to attract new members and re-tain existing ones.

The next time you try to solicit a new member, explain thedifferent committees in your local association and ask themwhich committee they will serve on as well as asking them tojoin. Many of us have used a similar method to close a sale. Itstill works and it still gets a commitment from the new member.Years later, you will find that agent still a member and still find-ing the time to stay involved because they were given the oppor-tunity to ask not what their association could do for them butwhat they can do for their association.

LUTC Classes help you EarnWhile You Learn! How high is your commitment level running as we began this

New Year? As for me it’s at its peak.New years bring about new beginnings, and that make everyone

excited. Our main objective is to let all those around us see howcommitted we are. Every new board brings in new ideas and objec-tives that at first maybe are somewhat different. Be ready for achange and figure out what appeals the most to you and GO FORIT. Hopefully your new board will soon be bringing to you and yourassociates, plans and projects for the up coming year. After thatthey will be calling on you to assist in the areas that interest you. Itwill be more appealing to you if you become involved. If you reallywant to find out what your association is all about, maybe there isno program planed that you like, suggest it. I am sure the boardwon’t mind your input; they really do want to accommodate all theirmembers. If you are interested other may be as well, and it will be abig help to the program chairperson.

Just remember YOUR association is not what a few want butwhat all want as well.

Commit To Commitment

The President’s Reception and Dinner will conclude the con-vention Saturday evening. A black tie optional event, all offic-ers local and state will be installed for the coming year. Thenkick off your shoes because The Vintage Alley Band is back bypopular demand! How’s your twisting? We will have a twistcontest sometime during the evening.

Keep watching the website at www.naifageorgia.org for up-dated information and registration.

See ya there!

2004 Conventioncontinued from cover

March-April 20046

George M. Connor Award

George M. Connor began his tenure with the Georgia State Asso-ciation of Life Underwriters in June 1953 at the 19th Annual Con-vention. Mr. Connor was the first Executive Vice President and iscredited for the development of GSALU.

Mr. Connor was quiet, well-mannered, unassuming, hard work-ing, dependable, reliable man who was very devoted to GSALU andits members and its members and in return was held in high regardin the association. Together he and his wife Elizabeth managed sev-eral other associations The Atlanta Association of Life Underwrit-ers, Life Leaders of Georgia and The Society of CLU and ChFC. Mr.and Mrs. Connor were both very active in their church.

The George M. Connor Award was first presented in June 1966after Mr. Connor’s death in 1965. The first award was presented toMr. Frank Akers a member of the Atlanta Association and has had 36very worthy recipients since. It is the highest recognition your stateassociation can pay to one of its members for outstanding service tothe insurance industry. The individual must be a member of our as-sociation, possess such attributes as service to the insurance indus-try, the local, state and national associations, to his/her companyand community. Service on the state or national level as an officer orchairperson is not a requirement.

This is your best opportunity to obtain recognition for one yourmembers who you believe is truly deserving. Please discuss thisaward with members of your local association right away. If youhave a qualified candidate in your association, please do not fail tosubmit the nominees, name and reason he/she is being nominated.

AWARDSPlease send all information to Kel Kelley, LUTCF, c/o Kelley& Associates, 2991 Concord Way, Douglasville, GA 30135-1769, fax your nomination with a cover sheet to (770) 920-0887 or email it to kelkelley@tripleheart.org. Nominationsmust be received by Friday, May 14 to be considered.

The Henry W. Sutton Award

The Henry W. Sutton Award as first presented in 1970 to HenryW. Sutton for whom it was named. The Tifton Association thoughtit would be fitting to present an award each year at the state con-vention honoring the person who not only served he or her associa-tion as a president, but who continues to serve the association afterhis or her term as president.

Henry Sutton has set an example of service that few of us can fol-low. He began his career in 1948 and the Tifton Association was char-tered the following year in 1949. Ted Willis was the first Presidentand Henry was Vice President. Mr. Willis was transferred by his com-pany shortly after the association year began. Mr. Sutton moved upto president and completed the year. He has served as president againand again as well as serving in all the chairs and committee posi-tions. For over 50 years Henry Sutton has worked and is still veryactive in the Tifton Association of Insurance and Financial Advisorsand continues to serve on the Board of Directors.

The nominee for this prestigious award must have been a localassociation president who continues to serve his/her local associa-tion most effectively at the conclusion of his/her term of office. Thenominee must also be a member of IFAPAC.

Please send you nominees’ name and reason he/she is beingnominated to Steve Woodham, CLU, Tifton AIFA, PO Box7463, Tifton, GA 31793-7463, fax your nomination with acover sheet to Steve Woodham at 912-387-9323 or email towoodham@frindlycity.net. Nominations must be received nolater than Friday, May 14TH.

your voice heard you must be there. More information about thisevent will soon be available to you.

Finally, it is my pleasure to announce that Georgia will be sup-porting a candidate for National Trustee at the next NationalConvention. William J. “Buddy” Kosic, CLU, ChFC of Savannah,GA. has been very active in NAIFA for over 30 years. Buddy isPast President of NAIFA-South Carolina before moving to Geor-gia. He has served on NAIFA’s Core Membership Committee, aformer member of the Financial Institution Task Force, hasserved on the Member Involvement Committee and is a Qualify-ing Member of MDRT. We would be hard pressed to find a can-didate with better credentials to run as a trustee. However, weneed the support of everyone in the state. Please start makingyour plans now to attend the National Convention in Las Vegasin September.

***Award Deadline***

All award applications are due into the NAIFA-Georgiaoffice no later than Friday, May 21, 2004

All award applications can be found atwww.naifageorgia.org under the association news tab.

continued from page 3

NAIFA-GA President’s Message

7March-April 2004

April 14, 2004Executive Committee Meeting

Holiday Inn • ForsythApril 15, 2004Board Meeting

Holiday Inn • ForsythJune 24, 2004Board Meeting

Marriott • Chattanooga, TNJune 25-27 2004Annual Conference

Marriott • Chattanooga, TNSeptember 11-15

NAIFA Convention & CareerConference. Las Vegas, NV

Other Important Dates to RememberMay 14, 2004

Connor & Sutton Award nominations dueMay 21, 2004

All State Award Applications DueJune 30, 2004

Award of Excellence due to NAIFA

2004Calendarof Events

Thursday, April 22, 2004GAHU Golf Tournament

Thursday, May 6, 2004Insurance 101

Topic: Basic Insurance TerminologyLocation: Villa Christina Restaurant

(near Perimeter Mall)Registration: $125 per participant

Thursday, May 27, 2004 11:00 amHouse of Delegates

Idlehour Country ClubMacon, GA

Friday, June 4, 2004GAHU Board of Directors Meeting

10:00 - 12:00 noonCanada Life 6201 Powers Ferry Rd.

Atlanta, GA 30339

Thursday, June 17, 2004COBRA Seminar

Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce

Friday, June 18, 2004COBRA Seminar

Idlehour Country ClubMacon, GA

Sunday, June 27, 2004 ThruWednesday, June 30, 2004

NAHU Annual Convention & ExhibitionMarriott Waterfront Hotel

Baltimore, MD

Thursday, July 22, 2004 ThruSaturday, July 24, 2004

GAHU State ConventionSavannah, GA

GAHUEvents Calendar

Visit www.gahu.org for local chapter event listings too!

March-April 20048

By Robert E. Swanson

Dear Fellow Insurance Professional,Five surgeons are discussing who makes

the best patients to operate on. The firstsurgeon says, “I like to see accountants onmy operating table, because when youopen them up everything inside is num-bered.” The second responds, “Yeah, butyou should try electricians! Everything in-side is color coded.” The third surgeonsays, “No, I really think librarians are the

best; everything inside them is in alphabetical order.” The fourthsurgeon chimes in, “You know, I like construction workers…thoseguys always understand when you have a few parts left over atthe end and when the job takes longer than you said it would.”But the fifth surgeon shut them all up when he observed, “You’reall wrong. Politicians are the easiest to operate on. For most of‘em there’s no guts, no heart, and no spine, and the head andbutt are interchangeable.”

Politicians are fun to pick on but the truth is that most of themreally do serve out of a sense of civic responsibility and often atgreat personal sacrifice. The problem is they don’t always act inways that serve us well. Sometimes it is simply a matter of pri-vate citizens staying in touch with our elected officials. Some-times it takes a more organized effort for them to understandour point of view.

That is what our Day on the Hill at the state capitol is all about.That is what our Capitol Conference in Washington D.C. will beabout and that is what Health Underwriters Political Action Com-mittee is about. For us to succeed in protecting our industry andthe people we serve, every member of GAHU needs to contrib-ute to HUPAC at some level.

Every member also needs to get involved. At a minimum, at-tend your local meetings and the State Convention. You will learnwhat’s happening in Atlanta and Washington that impacts ourindustry. Why is that important? Well, there are a lot of reasonsbut here’s just one. Our clients and competitors are becoming moreand more informed. Few things are more awkward than havingthem know more about your business than you do. When you getinvolved, you not only help your industry, you also help yourself.

Art George & Susan Cookwith Cuddles (CURE mas-cot) at Egleston Childrens’Hospital Valentine’s Party.Also helping out at ScottishRite were Lance Ledbetter &Dave Johnson.

We ran out of food at bothlocations, and the fire chiefhelmets and coloring booksdonated by Commissioner Oxendine’s office were greatly ap-preciated by the children, many of whom were too ill to comeout of their rooms. Family members saw to it that their chil-dren joined in the fun as much as possible.

GeorgiaAssociations of

HealthUnderwriters

GAHU 14th Annual Convention and ExhibitWestin Savannah Harbor

Golf Resort & SpaSavannah, GA

July 22nd – 24th, 2004

Nationally recognized syndicated talk show host securedas keynote presenter!

9March-April 2004

2004 GAHU Golf Extravaganza Bear’s Best Golf Club

Registration FormPursuant to Bear’s Best Golf Club policy, walk up registrations will not be available.

The registration deadline is April 19, 2004.

Handicap or DaytimeGolfer’s Name average score Phone Number e-mail address_________________________ ________ _____________ _____________________________________________ ________ _____________ _____________________________________________ ________ _____________ _____________________________________________ ________ _____________ ____________________

One or more players are paid for as part of a sponsorship package: Sponsor’s Name:___________________

Total Fee Enclosed ($175 per golfer): ___________

____ My check made out to GAHU is included. ____ Please bill my credit card.

Card Number: __________________ Expiration Date:_______ Signature:_____________________

Full refunds are available for cancellations made by prior to April 19, 2004.For more information Please contact: Art George of Kaiser Permanente at

404-365-4292 art.george@kp.orgPlease mail to Art George c/o GAHU, P.O. Box 550567, Atlanta, GA 30355-0567

The Georgia Associations of Health Underwriters

Political Action Committee

· The GAHU PAC was formed to support the campaigns of Georgia legislators that help GAHU members and clients.

· Our Mission:· To influence our state legislators responsible for:· Mandates· Stabilizing the free market system· Solving the uninsured problem

Your contributions give us access to these legislators

· Please help us influence future outcomes with your generous contributions to the GAHU Political Action Committee.

Enclosed is my contribution for $________________

Name: ________________________________________________________________

Address: ______________________________________________________________

Phone Number: ____________________________Fax: ________________________

Email address: _________________________________________________________

Please mail your contribution to:GAHU PAC c/o Donald H. Baggett, P.O. Box 14124, Atlanta, GA 30324-8987

March-April 200410

(Arlington, VA) –The National Associa-tion of Health Underwriters (NAHU) ap-plauds President Bush for his leadershipin getting the job done on the MedicarePrescription Drug and Modernization Actof 2003, which he signed into law today.This legislation will improve andstrengthen the current Medicare programby providing seniors with significant sav-ings on prescription drugs and morechoices in health care.

NAHU Hails President Bush for Signing ImportantMedicare Legislation

Seniors One Step Closer to Affordable Prescription Drugs

“NAHU commends members of Con-gress and the Bush Administration forworking together to pass historic legisla-tion that for the first time offers Medicarebeneficiaries a prescription drug benefit tohelp them afford the cost of their medi-cines,” stated Kevin Corcoran, executivevice president. “This bill creates a mod-ern Medicare system with the most im-provements in senior health care since theinception of Medicare in 1965.

“The improved Medicare program givesseniors the same type of health care choicesthat were available to them in the under-65health insurance market. This allows themto find a health care plan that best fits theirneeds instead of having a ‘one-size-fits-allgovernment program.’ Medicare beneficia-ries can choose to either stay in the tradi-tional Medicare program or opt out into aprivate plan. Now, seniors will have thesame kind of choices and quality plans thathealth insurers already offer to millions ofAmericans in the private market.

“All Americans can benefit from a pro-vision in the legislation that will removeexcessive restrictions on health savings ac-counts (HSAs), allowing individuals to putmoney, tax-free, into these accounts to savefor future medical expenses. HSAs will giveindividuals more control over their ownhealth care and better access to coveragethat is affordable.

“The bipartisan Medicare agreementsigned into law today represents a signifi-cant achievement in our country’s effortsto provide affordable prescription drugcoverage to our seniors. Seniors havewaited a long time for help in paying forprescription drugs, and thanks to the hardwork and dedication of this Congress andAdministration, we can now provide themwith the help they need and the health carechoices they deserve.”

The National Association of Health Un-derwriters represents more than 17,000professional health insurance agents andbrokers who provide insurance for millionsof Americans. NAHU is headquartered inArlington, VA. For more information,please call Kelly Loussedes at 703-276-3835 or email kloussedes@nahu.org.

11March-April 2004

Georgia Association of Insurance & Financial AdvisorsGeorgia Associations of Health UnderwritersC/O Newsletters Ink426 White Pine Dr.Murray, UT 84123

PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDSalt Lake City, UTPERMIT NO. 6699