Commissioner Ario touches on hot topics at IA&B meeting
Contact:
Karen Robison
(717) 795-9100 Ext. 606
Aug. 19, 2009 – Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Ario yesterday presented his perspectives on hot-button issues to the Insurance Agents & Brokers Service Group Board of Directors. Ario, an executive committee member for the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), provided insight and opinion on health care reform, industry regulation and the role of the agent before answering questions from board members.
“There is a great deal of uncertainty in the industry about various reforms and regulations,” said Kathleen Glattly, incoming chairwoman of IA&B, “so it was important for us to hear Commissioner Ario’s viewpoints and voice independent agents’ concerns and needs.”
Ario began by explaining the need for health care cost control and for implementation of the reforms that boast nearly everyone's support, such as elimination of pre-existing condition exclusions.
“It would be a real bad thing if the result of this is no reform at the federal level,” said Ario of the current health care debate.
He then addressed regulation of the insurance industry and surmised that federal regulation is less likely now than before the November 2008 elections. Ario followed this by admitting an upgrade of the state-based system is necessary and touting the NAIC’s National Insurance Producer Registry, which seeks to modernize the licensing process.
Ario also took on the Internet and direct writers, asserting his belief that producers offer value-added services that will keep them competitive.
IA&B Board Members followed up with questions on policing Internet sales, the future of the McCarran-Ferguson Act, the proposed NAIC rating agency and auto policy’s minimum limits.
This is the second time Commissioner Ario spoke to the IA&B Board of Directors. Following his summer 2007 appointment by Gov. Rendell, he made the association’s October 2007 annual meeting one of his first stops.
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About Insurance Agents & Brokers Service Group
The Insurance Agents & Brokers Service Group oversees the partnership of agents’ associations in Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania that work together to deliver pre-eminent programs, products and services for their nearly 1,600 members. Led by dedicated agent volunteers and staffed by 40 professionals, IA&B is recognized and respected nationally for its industry-leading efforts in agent professional development, advocacy, industry information and knowledge base, communications and more.
IA&B is affiliated with the National Association of Professional Insurance Agents in all three states and with the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America in Delaware and Pennsylvania.
To learn more, visit www.iabgroup.com.
