Silicon Valley Association of Health Underwriters
June 10, 2009
Abe Phillips, President
I wanted to write you a personal note on how grateful I am for your allowing me to be SVAHU’s 2008-2009 President. I have made so many friends and have learned so much during my presidency and I will always be grateful to SVAHU’s members for giving me the opportunity to serve.
Thank you so much to the SVAHU board for all of your hard work and efforts. Being a volunteer and fighting for this industry is not required but by stepping up you inspire others which is beneficial for all SVAHU members and our industry. Also, thank you to all of the many wonderful sponsors that support SVAHU (too numerous to list in this article). Without your generous support we would not exist, period. You are all appreciated!
I would also like to extend my special thanks to two individuals. First, I like to extend best wishes and a kind farewell to a great servant to SVAHU of eight years, Marilyn Leonard, RHU, REBC. Marilyn has poured her heart into this organization in virtually every position, including president, and she will be supporting us as a non-board member in the years to come. Her dedication and hard work as a volunteer are what associations need to survive and thrive. She is appreciated!
Second, I would also like to thank a very special person to me, Lisa Hughes, for taking the reins of the golf tournament and turning it into a smashing success for 2009! Lisa along with her committee were able to triple sponsorship, double attendance, and create a very well received event during the most challenging economy I have seen in my lifetime. Lisa and her committee (Brian Sullivan, Steve Fertitta, Todd Taylor, Steven Smith, Leslie Perez and Jim Diani) worked tirelessly on behalf of SVAHU to make it a great event for all with extremely positive reviews by attendees and sponsors! Thank you so much Lisa for going the extra mile supporting SVAHU this year, you are appreciated and your going the extra mile did not go unnoticed! Equally as important, $17,000 was made for our charitable activities making SVAHU shine during this difficult year.
As you are aware, an aggressive agenda to scrap and remake America's healthcare system is being planned in Washington right now. It could have a substantial affect on our lives, both as taxpayers and as health insurance brokers.
President Obama and members of Congress are holding discussions about establishing a public health care system, which would compete directly with the private insurance market in all 50 states.
A public plan would reimburse providers at lower rates. Currently, Medicare merely reimburses providers based on what the government is willing to pay for any given procedure. The shortfall in cost is passed on to private insurers.
What I have learned as a health insurance agent is that unequal competition does not work in this industry. Innovation and quality drive success. Over time, having a public plan square off against private insurance will lead to limited selection and further America's health care crisis.
Please join us in working to craft healthcare reform that does not include a public plan which will cost taxpayers billions of dollars, jeopardize the top-notch healthcare that Americans are accustomed to and put our livelihoods at risk.
For SVAHU to get even better we need to embrace that we’re a bottom up organization. We need you! I am encouraging everyone that receives this letter to think about how they can contribute to SVAHU’s success. Do you have an hour a month, an hour a week, interested in being on the board? Every little bit helps us improve our member’s ability to meet the health, financial and retirement security needs of all Americans through education, advocacy and professional development. Please don’t hesitate to call or email Jeff Bader, your new president, on any volunteer work you would be able to offer.
Thank you again for the opportunity, I am humbly grateful.
Abraham Phillips
