Not surprisingly, the uncertain fate of the Affordable Care Act is at the top of the list for many.

"I hope there will be a smooth transition from Obamacare to whatever replaces it," says Harv Randecker, managing director of Benefit Consultant Training near Chicago.

"I have several ideas about what the replacement should include, such as preventing anyone — especially those with a preexisting condition — from losing coverage. One of the best ways to reform health care, which we tried to do before Obamacare was enacted, is with state-run, high-risk pools. Illinois had a terrible one, and Wisconsin had a great one.

"I have heard predictions that it will take around three years to transition away from Obamacare, and that sounds about right," Randecker says.

Craig Dolezal, senior vice president of Aon Hewitt in Seattle, also wishes for clear direction about potential changes to the ACA.

"Clarity regarding health care reform in early 2017 will be critical so employers can continue to confidently and intentionally drive change and innovation in the health care market," he says. "Collectively, employers provide and fund health care benefits for nearly half of all Americans, and their proactive and adaptable strategies and solutions will drive better outcomes for all."

Instead of one simple wish, Wayne Sakamoto, president of Health Insurance Interactive Inc. in Naples, Florida, has a shopping list of action items. His priorities include:

• Expanding health savings accounts to all Americans;

• Repealing the so-called Cadillac Tax;

• Doing away with federal and state exchanges, and returning the distribution of individual health plans to licensed insurance agents;

• Simplifying employer reporting requirements;

• Continuing to offer individual health plans on a guaranteed-issue basis;

• Offering tax deductions for individual health plans to all Americans who don't have access to employer-sponsored coverage;

• Increasing competition in the individual health market for the 2018 open enrollment;

• Increasing the length of the open-enrollment period to October 1 through February 15;

• Reducing premiums for individual major medical health plans in 2018.

Some wishes can be fulfilled only with the help of Congress or state regulators. Others can be implemented by people in the industry. Colleen Callahan, owner of Colleen Callahan Insurance Services in Pleasant Hill, California, realizes making wishes come true may require difficult choices.

Related: A look ahead: Benefits trends for 2017

"With the reduction in commissions, it is almost impossible to stay in the individual market," she says. "There are many people who need help. We offer a high level of service and pride ourselves on the education we provide. It takes a great deal of time, and the reduced commissions in California continue to impact my business. I have payroll to meet, and I offer medical, life, LTD and a 401(k) to my team.

"We sold more individual policies last year and made significantly less money in that block of business. It feels terrible to say we cannot offer help to those who need it most."

Some wishes are more likely than others to be fulfilled. Cheryl Grant, vice president of sales for Allegacy Benefit Solutions in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, cites two that coincide with those of many advocates of market-based health care reform.

"My No. 1 wish list item I would like to see in employee health care benefits in 2017 is the ability for employers and consumers to purchase coverage across state lines," she says. "The group and individual health insurance market is dominated in most states by a handful of companies, so this would allow consumers to shop in a broader marketplace for more competitive coverage."

Related: 7 top workplace benefit trends for 2017

Grant would also like to see competition in prescription medication sales from Canada and Mexico, within a specific set of standards.

"The prices that we pay for prescription drugs in the United States are exorbitant, and it would be encouraging to see consideration among the insurance companies to allow coverage for medication purchased outside the United States, as long as certain standards are met," she says. "More competition in the pharmacy marketplace, as well as consideration of incorporating restrictions to their direct-to-consumer prescription advertising that ultimately drives up prescription costs would, in my opinion, be positive changes as we move forward into 2017."

Some wishes seem easy to fulfill on paper, but remain on the list year after year. "I wish all regulations were released within ample time to comply and also written in easy-to-decipher language," says Julie Stich, vice president for content at the in Brookfield, Wisconsin.

Any wish list is based on best guesses at the moment, and 2017 is certain to throw its share of curveballs. That's why perhaps the most practical wish is to double down on the product knowledge, education and customer service that always contribute to success.

"Stay positive," Callahan says, "look for ways to innovate and continue to stay informed so we can inform our clients."