NADPac Report
nadp conference 2014
In this issue: Washington Insider NADPac FAQs FAST & PAC FACTS NADPac Committee & 2014 Contributors
NADPac Report
CONVERGE 2014
WASHINGTON INSIDER
Capital Updates with Lisa Layman
NADPac’s May report highlighted the pending Senate November elections: the GOP needed a pick-up of six seats to claim the Senate majority, Democrats were closely watching 12 races and Republicans were carefully guarding Kentucky and Georgia. With less than 100 days until the 2014 November Elections, there are now fewer states actively in play. The GOP has been aided by the general failure of the Tea Party to unseat incumbents within the primaries (with the exception of the stunning upset of House Majority Leader Eric Cantor by Tea-Party challenger David Brat in Virginia’s 7th District). Along with some missteps by Democrats, and the President’s persistently low popularity, establishment Republicans are in a stronger position today in some key Senate races. Shifts in Senate Races West Virginia, South Dakota and Montana are generally viewed as foregone pick-ups for the GOP, giving Republicans three of the six needed seats. And the number of toss-up races has increased with the scales tipping in the GOP’s favor (the open Senate seat in Iowa, currently held by Democrat Tom Harkin, is a good example of a purple or swing state, which is one where neither party has majority support, looking more likely to go red). Iowa is only one of many paths Republicans could take to gain the remaining three seats needed to claim the majority. Obamacare on the Trail Echoing the President’s approval ratings, neither has the Affordable Care Act (ACA) improved in its ability to boost Democrats. Although Obamacare is not as relevant a factor in most races as either its supporters or detractors would like, for the most part Republicans continue their attack while all but the most comfortably-positioned Democrats continue to avoid promoting the ACA. Even in states where the ACA has been largely successful, like Kentucky, it’s a tough issue for Democratic challengers. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has spent much of the last five years deriding the ACA, and many voters in KY welcome his condemnation of Obamacare. Although the statebased exchange (kynect) has worked well, and the Democratic Governor champions the ACA’s success in his state, Senator McConnell’s challenger, Alison Lundergan Grimes, doesn’t touch the issue on her campaign website. When asked about it, she emphasizes the need to make improvements, and avoids answering how she would have voted had she been in the Senate when it was passed. North Carolina Democrat and incumbent Kay Hagan is an exception to the general rule. Her race is one of the most competitive; she and challenger state House Speaker Thom Tillis continue to leap frog each other – by small jumps – depending on the day and the poll. But while she also avoids specific mention of the ACA on her campaign website, she references her support for elements of it, having “stopped insurance companies from charging women more than they charge men”, and she has attacked her opponent for his role in North Carolina’s decision to opt out of the ACA’s Medicaid expansion. The Trend Line As a counter to the generally pessimistic picture the national landscape paints for Democrats, most of their incumbents have continued to hold their own, and, like Sen. Mary Landrieu (LA) are not unaccustomed to a fight. Some (Sen. Mark Warner (VA) and Sen. Jeff Merkley (OR)) appear even betterpositioned today than a few months ago. Suggestions that the fate of the Senate has been decided for the Republicans are premature. As we discussed in May, tracking the polls on a daily basis is not for the faint of heart. The trend line is worth keeping an eye on: control of the Senate looks more likely to fall to the GOP today than it did in May. The House remains safely in Republican hands. Earlier this year, the NADPac Board approved a slate of priority Members – House and Senate, Democrats and Republicans – for 2014 disbursements. Pre-authorization of top priority members will allow us to respond nimbly to events that leverage NADP’s relationships and maximize our impact as the mid-term elections approach. Finally, and although we are yet to reach Election Day ‘14, it’s not too early to start thinking about the 2016 election cycle, particularly for industry-sponsored events. These types of events offer valuable opportunities for focused, thorough, and thoughtful discussion of the issues impacting NADP members. Lisa Layman of Brown Rudnick represents NADP on Capitol Hill and has over two decades of experience in political and legislative affairs, and a comprehensive knowledge of health policy issues. As a senior policy advisor to several US Senators, Lisa has been involved in drafting, analyzing and negotiating legislation involving private health insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, prescription drugs, managed care, and health information technology.
FAST FACTS
Year 2014 NADPac Figures:
Beginning cash balance 1/1/14: $15,630.13 Closing cash balance 8/25/14: $23,380.13 Contributions from individuals: $1,750 Contributions from PACs: $17,000 Disbursements to federal candidates: $11,000
Year 2013 NADPac Figures:
Beginning cash balance 1/1/13: $12,180.13 Closing cash balance 12/31/13: $15,630.13 Contributions from individuals: $1,450 Contributions from PACs: $12,000 Disbursements to federal candidates: $10,000
NADPac Report
FAQs: Your Questions
Answered
What is NADPac? NADPac is a multi-candidate, federal political action committee registered with the Federal Election Commission (FEC). NADPac can actively solicit and receive personal, voluntary contributions from NADP membership and expend those contributions in support of federal candidates for public office who understand the dental benefits industry and share our interest in improving consumer access to affordable, quality dental care. Who can contribute to NADPac? NADP member plans are known as “incorporated” members by the FEC. NADPac may request permission or “prior approval” from NADP incorporated members to ask for contributions from their management, professional personnel and stockholders. Prior approval may be provided by an authorized representative of an incorporated member company and may be granted to only one trade association per calendar year. Authorized representatives from member companies can grant prior approval with the provided form, which is available from the NADP office. Some individuals, sole proprietorships and limited liability companies also maintain memberships in NADP. NADPac may ask for contributions from those individual and unincorporated business members of NADP without prior approval. NADP member plans that have provided prior approval for 2014 include: • Companion Life • Risk Solution Resources, LLC • DENCAP Dental Plans • Security Life Insurance Company • Dominion Dental Services • Solstice Benefits • Emblem Health • Southland Benefit Solutions • GEHA • Willamette Dental Insurance • Liberty Dental Plan
CONTRIBUTORS
The following individuals and corporate PACs contributed funds to support NADPac efforts in 2014 and a July fundraising event held for Senator Warner (VA). NADPac appreciates the support of these contributors. Ameritas PAC Assurant PAC Kirk Andrews, UnitedHealthcare Timothy L. Brown, NADP Cigna PAC Mark Coyne, PPO USA Daniel Croley, DDPA CA Mike Davis, Dominion Dental Guardian PAC United Concordia Dental (Highmark PAC)
Kris Hathaway, NADP Evelyn Ireland, NADP Lisa Layman, Brown Rudnick Michael Lewan, Lewan Company Theresa McConeghey, Principal MetLife PAC Robin Muck, Premier Access Dental Principal PAC John Rice, Emblem Health Chris Swanker, Guardian
CONVERGE 2014
PAC FACTS
So far in the 2013-14 election cycle, NADPac has contributed approximately $21,000 to 12 congressional campaigns and committees. Below is a summary of to whom NADPac made its contributions: Senator Mark Begich (AK) serves on the Appropriations and Commerce, Science and Transportation Committees among others. Senator Sherrod Brown (OH) serves on the Finance Committee among others. NADPac contributed to Senator Brown’s Leadership PAC “America Works,” which funds other candidate campaigns. Senator Al Franken (MN) is a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee (HELP), which has jurisdiction and oversight over programs of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The HELP Committee also developed the Essential Health Benefit Package in the ACA. Senator Kay Hagan (NC) is a member of the Senate HELP Committee and chairs the Subcommittee on Children and Families. Representative Ron Kind (WI-3) Representing Wisconsin’s Third Congressional District in Congress, Ron Kind is a member of the House Ways and Means Committee and serves on the Health Subcommittee. Senator Mary Landrieu (LA) is a senior member and Subcommittee Chair on the Senate Appropriations Committee, which allocates federal funds to government agencies, departments and programs. Senator Landrieu serves on the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies. Senator Jeff Merkley (OR) is the junior Senator from Oregon, having also served as the Speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives. He is a member of several Senate Committees including Appropriations and Budget. Senator Patty Murray (WA) is a member of several Senate Committees including Appropriations, HELP and Budget where she serves as chair. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (NH) serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee and its Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies. Senator Pat Toomey (PA) serves on the Committee on Budget, the Committee on Finance and the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction. Senator Mark Udall (CO) serves on the Small Business and Energy and Natural Resources Committees. Senator Mark Warner (VA) serves on several Committees including Budget and Finance where he chairs the Subcommittee on Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Growth. Senator Ron Wyden (OR) is the senior Senator for Oregon and chairs the Finance Committee and serves on the Budget Committee among others.
NADPac Committee Contributions to federal candidates are overseen by the NADPac Committee, which meets several times a year. The Committee is appointed by the NADP Board to be representative of NADP membership. Janet Howard Sr. Washington Associate, MetLife Evelyn Ireland, CAE NADP Executive Director and NADPac Treasurer eireland@nadp.org Michael Lewan The Michael Lewan Company James Mullen Public and Government Affairs Manager, Delta Dental of CA, NY, PA & Affiliates Chris Payne VP of Federal Government Relations, Principal Financial Group Jon Seltenheim Sr. VP of Business and Government Strategy United Concordia Companies, Inc. NADP Staff Liaisons: Kris Hathaway Government Relations Director, NADP khathaway@nadp.org Eme Augustini State Affairs Manager, NADP eaugustini@nadp.org Advisor: Lisa Layman Government Relations Director, Brown Rudnick For more information, please contact Evelyn F. Ireland, CAE • eireland@nadp.org Executive Director & NADPac Treasurer National Association of Dental Plans P 972-458-6998 x101 12700 Park Central Dr, Ste 400 Dallas, TX 75251-1529
Political Action Committee