Jan 2015 NADPac Report

NADPac Report January 2015

In this issue: Washington Insider FAST FACTS NADPac Contributors FAQs NADPac Committee

Political Action Committee

NADPac Report

January 2015

WASHINGTON INSIDER Capital Updates with Lisa Layman

Although the November elections provided the Republicans a resounding victory, a number of House and Senate races were undecided at the time of our last article. As those results trickled in, the GOP further strengthened their position in Washington for the 2015-2016 Congress.

Senate Results In the 113th Congress (2013-2014), the Senate effectively stood at 55 Democrats (this number includes two Independents, who caucus with the Democrats), and 45 Republicans. The gains by the Republicans bring nearly an even swap of those numbers as the GOP took control of the 114th Congress on January 6, 2015. Majority Leader McConnell will preside over a Senate with 54 Republicans and 46 members caucusing with the Democrats, reflecting a net pick up of nine seats for the GOP. NADP lost Senate friends Mary Landrieu (D-LA) and Kay Hagan (D-NC); NADP supporter Mark Warner (D-VA) held on to his seat by eight-tenths of a percentage point. The Democrats’ diminished ranks in the Senate prompted speculation that Warner could well lose his seat on the important Finance Committee due to a change in party ratio, but in good news for NADP, Senate leaders increased the overall size of the Committee, allowing Warner to retain his seat. The Finance Committee plays the lead role in health and tax-related issues relevant to the dental benefits industry.

“

“

Majority Leader McConnell will preside over a Senate with 54 Republicans and 46 members caucusing with the Democrats, reflecting a net pick up of nine seats for the GOP.

House Results The last House race wasn’t decided until two weeks before New Year’s Eve when Republican challenger Martha McSally (AZ-2) defeated Democrat Ron Barber in a mandatory recount. McSally prevailed by 161 votes, giving the Republicans a net pick up of 12 seats, and growing their majority from 234 to 246 seats – their largest majority in nearly 70 years. (Had Republican Michael Grimm (NY-11) not resigned his seat January 5, 2014 after pleading guilty to tax evasion, Republicans would have claimed an even more impressive historical record. His seat will remain vacant until a special election at a date yet to be determined.)

114th U.S. Congress 1/3/15 - 1/3/17 Senate (100)

Senate Party Standings (as of 1/6/15)

54 Republicans 46 Democrats

House of Representatives (435)

House Party Standings (as of 1/6/15)

247 Republicans 188 Democrats

Capitol Hill Outlook Both chambers are controlled by healthy Republican majorities. Does this signal legislative comity and productivity in the coming year? Signs on opening day of the new Congress weren’t promising. Within Republican ranks, the Tea Party continues to cause heartburn for House Speaker John Boehner. While he retained his leadership position for a third term with 216 votes, about two dozen conservative members opposed him (double the number of conservatives handing him “no” votes two years ago). This level of opposition to the Speaker from within the party is striking: the two Republican Speakers preceding Boehner, Hastert and Gingrich, lost five and nine votes respectively from their fellow party members. The most recent Democratic Speakers, Pelosi and Foley, saw one defection each.

On the other side of the Hill, the opposition role has turned to the Democrats and the bickering started nearly immediately. Among Republican Mitch McConnell’s first official actions as Majority Leader, moments after taking the helm of the Senate, he moved for the Energy Committee to hold a hearing on the Keystone Pipeline on the 2nd day of the Congress. Assistant Minority Leader Dick Durbin objected.

The two dozen plus new members in the Senate and House, along with a one party Congress and new agenda provides NADP new opportunities and challenges in the coming Congress. Although it’s hard to think about an election 22 months away, NADPac (along with all PACs) will be well-served to consider their slate of priority Members – House and Senate, Democrats and Republicans – for 2015 disbursements. Industry-sponsored 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.

NADPac Report January 2015

FAST FACTS NADPac

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 Kris Hathaway, NADP Suzanne Heckenlaible, Delta Dental of Iowa 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, Avesis Chris Swanker, Guardian United Concordia Dental (Highmark PAC)

Year 2014 NADPac Figures: Beginning cash balance 1/1/14: $15,630.13 Closing cash balance 12/31/14: $20,680.13 Contributions from individuals: $2,050 Contributions from PACs: $17,000 Disbursements to federal candidates: $14,000 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

?

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 2015 include: • Emblem Health • EMI Health • Liberty Dental Plan • Security Life Insurance Company • Superior Dental Care, Inc.

NADPac Comittee 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.

Charles Brody VP of Business Development Blue Cross Blue Shield of SC

Chris Payne VP of Federal Government Relations Principal Financial Group

Suzanne Heckenlaible VP of Public Affairs Delta Dental of IA

Jon Seltenheim Sr. VP of Business and Government Strategy United Concordia Companies, Inc.

Janet Howard Sr. Washington Associate MetLife

NADP Staff Liaisons:

Evelyn Ireland, CAE NADP Executive Director and NADPac Treasurer eireland@nadp.org Michael Lewan The Michael Lewan Company

Kris Hathaway Government Relations Director, NADP khathaway@nadp.org Eme Augustini State Affairs Manager, NADP eaugustini@nadp.org Advisor:

James Mullen Public and Government Affairs Manager Delta Dental of CA, NY, PA & Affiliates

Lisa Layman Principal, Government and Law Strategies Brown Rudnick

D

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