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- LEG REG REVIEW
- 2004, Third
Issue
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- LEG REG REVIEW is a periodic newsletter produced by PHILLIPS ASSOCIATES,
a professional lobbying and consultant firm based near the State
Capitol. It contains
news on the Legislative and Regulatory scene in Pennsylvania that
may be of use to insurance producers, companies, and interested
parties. It is a free
Member Service if you are a member of the Pennsylvania Association
of Health underwriters (PAHU) or the PA Surplus Lines association
(PSLA). Subscription
information may be obtained by contacting PHILLIPS ASSOCIATES at
717/728-1217, Fax 717/728-1164 or E-mail to xenobun@aol.com.
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- HAY REPORT ON SCHOOL BENEFITS TO BE RELEASED FEB. 4
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- The
Legislative Budget and Finance Committee has scheduled a February
4 meeting to discuss the results of a study conducted by the Hay
Group on whether or not school district health benefit programs
should be rolled into one master program administered by the
Commonwealth. Proponents
believe that there would be economies of scale if school districts
were to relinquish their traditional local choice.
Opponents such as the Pennsylvania Association of Health
Underwriters believe that school districts should be able to work
with local insurance professionals to craft their own program.
The study was mandated by passage of a House Resolution in
2003.
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- COMMITTEE MEETINGS/ACTION
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The
Senate Appropriations Committee passed SB 815 sponsored by Sen.
Don White (R-Indiana). This
legislation would amend the Insurance Department Act by providing
for policyholder collateral, and for deductible reimbursements.
It has already passed the Senate Banking & Insurance
Committee and is poised for action by the full Senate.
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The
Senate Aging and Youth Committee is holding a hearing January 28
on implementation of the new Federal Medicare law as it relates to
prescription drug coverage for seniors.
Of particular interest is how or if the Federal changes
will affect the Commonwealth’s PACE program and how prescription
drug benefit cards factor into the equation.
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The
House Labor Relations Committee is convening a meeting Feb. 11 to
discuss several bills, one of which deals with insurance. HB 1014 (Barrar-R-Chester) would require that insurers make
timely payment of wage-loss benefits under Worker’s Compensation
(7 days) or be subject to decision by an L&I referee that
could mean a penalty equal to 50 percent of the award of
compensation (assuming that the insurer had not appealed the
claims determination). Consideration
by a referee is not automatic in that a formal petition would have
to be filed.
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- A non-insurance bill before the committee is HR 528 (McIlhattan-R-Clarion)
to require that the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee
initiate a study of the effectiveness of workforce development
programs. This was
part of the Keystone Manufacturing Initiative recently announced
by a group of Republican members.
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- ON THE REGULATORY SIDE
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A
note of interest to surplus lines licensees: First, state taxes
must be paid by January 31, 2004, and a complete copy of the SL
tax form must be sent to PSLA, 211 Welsh Pool Road, #200, Exton,
PA 19341 610/594-1340.
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The
Patient Safety Authority (Medical Malpractice) will meet February
2 in Harrisburg. Details:
717/783-3770.
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The
Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) has approved
Regulation 10-174 dealing with Out of Hospital Do Not Resuscitate
Orders per Act 59 of 2002.
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PA
Compensation Rating Bureau issued two Circulars on January 21.
Circular 1472 alerts company members may access USR Online
as a resource to access and review unit statistical reports.
(Details: Bonnie Piacentiro 215/568-2371 x 4456) The second, Circular 1472, stipulates that member companies
must specify in writing by the CEO on letterhead who the
“Carrier Group Administrators” are so as to better monitor who
has access to the PCRB data base.
(Details: John Murphy 215/568-2371 x 4418)
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- POLITICAL NOTES
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This
week begins the official period in which petitions can be
circulated for the various primary contests.
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Sen.
Jack Wagner (D-Allegheny) received the Democratic State Committee
endorsement for the position of Auditor General.
With this comes an abandonment of that race by Rep.
Jennifer Mann (D-Lehigh).
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Sharon
Cole, House Research Analyst (formerly with the House Insurance
Committee) seeks the nomination for the open seat created by the
retirement of Rep. Allan Egolf (R-Perry).
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Retiring
is veteran Democrat Guy Travaglio from Butler County. Brian Ellis, who lost last time by just 612 votes, is running
again for the now open seat.
He has run into a political problem according to
PittsburghLive.com because of allegations of alcohol and marijuana
dating back to the early 1990s.
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Rep.
Jeff Coleman (R-Armstrong) announced his post-political plans.
He plans to be a talk radio host according to Sunday’s
Patriot-News. Former
Democratic Rep. Tim Pesci, whom Coleman upset, is rumored to be
considering a try for his old seat.
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Staff
contest in Cumberland County?
Philadelphia Democratic Senator Allyson Schwartz’ chief
of staff Marilynn Zilli is running to succeed Rep. Pat Vance who
is trying to succeed retiring Senator Hal Mowery.
Depending on the outcome of the Republican primary, she may
be squaring off against Senator Gib Armstrong’s (R-Lancaster)
Banking & Insurance Committee Executive Director Chris Latta.
Also running in the GOP contest is local attorney and
former ridge official Glen Grell.
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- PHILLIPS ASSOCIATES CE UPDATE
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- Upcoming
are CE Tours in Western and Central PA in early February.
Western CE of courses in Mitigating Disaster and Worker’s
Comp in a Hard Market are offered in Uniontown Feb. 9, Monroeville
Feb. 10, Indiana Feb. 11, and Meadville Feb. 12. Central PA classes are
- E&O
In-Depth and Worker’s Comp in a Hard Market in Harrisburg Feb.
9, Danville Feb. 11, and
Lancaster Feb. 12. Each
course is four hours. Details:
Joan Troutman 717/732-7255.
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