It hasn’t been easy for health agents and brokersmoving forward after new federal medical loss ratio regulationswere passed last November. Shortly after, producers saw theircommissions slashed as carriers adjusted overhead to make room forhigher claims payouts. Up on the Hill, amid a full-repeal outcryfrom Republicans, a handful of lawmakers have underscored theagent’s plight as an example of reform’s dangerous dominoeffect.

The National Association of HealthUnderwriters has been a persistent liaison in the mix, lobbyingthe need for immediate regulation change in order to preserve jobsand prevent further disruption in health insurance markets.Benefits Selling caught up with NAHU’s Jessica Waltman,senior vice president of government affairs, fresh off the group’sannual Capitol Conference in Washington. The association meetsevery year to converse with legislative leaders on issues andupdate agents on market trends.

The MLR’s effect on producer income has been a quiet, butcontentious issue – a spin-off debate for lawmakers to highlightthe pervasive nature of reform. The impetus for restricted,uniform MLR rules was to push transparency, trim administrativewaste and ensure consumers are getting value for their premiumdollars. But, Waltman argues, reform mandates have adverselyfractured small group markets, burdening employers with highercoverage costs and new compliance headaches.