NADPac Report

NADPac Report March 2015

In this issue: Washington Insider

2015 Senate & House committees FAST FACTS NADPac Contributors FAQs NADPac Committee

Political Action Committee

NADPac Report

March 2015

WASHINGTON INSIDER Capital Updates with Lisa Layman

The opening months of the 114th Congress have largely entailed procedural motions and political maneuverings.

On the procedural front, Committee membership and party ratios were recalculated to reflect Republican gains. As a result, Republicans were added to both Senate Committees with jurisdiction over health care (Finance and the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions or HELP) as well as the key House Committees with health care jurisdiction (Ways & Means, and Energy & Commerce).

In the Senate, losses and retirements lowered the Democrats’ numbers on the Committees; no returning Democrats were pulled from the Committees to maintain the necessary party ratios.

Because the Republican gains in the House were relatively small and the ranks of the Democrats on the Energy and Commerce Committee were diminished considerably through retirements and defeats, new Democrats were added to that Committee, though in somewhat smaller numbers than the Republicans.

New members of these key Committees are listed in this PAC Report. It is enormously helpful to NADP’s advocacy efforts to know where we have a constituent presence. Where do NADP members have ‘bricks and mortar,’ and where do NADP members have employees? Telling a Senator or a Representative at a PAC event that NADP has a facility in their district or state, and the number of employees, has a powerful and immediate impact on the Member’s attention and interest in NADP concerns. NADP will be conducting a survey in the coming months to collect this vital information. Be on the lookout for more on the survey.

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With the necessary procedural motions taken care of (including a fair amount of jostling over better office space; senior retiring members like Jay Rockefeller opened up prime real estate. His long-held suite is now occupied by NM Democrat Tom Udall), the 114th Congress turned to political maneuvering.

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There have been a few efforts at legislating but politics have been both the reason and the result.

There have been a few efforts at legislating but politics have been both the reason and the result. Construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline was ultimately approved by both chambers but vetoed by the President, and no help was needed by the Democrats painting Republicans into a corner over funding of the Department of Homeland Security.

And of course, Obamacare continues to be front and center. The GOP has devoted many hours of party lunches and caucus meetings hashing out the political implications of repeal efforts (repeal the Affordable Care Act in its entirety, or parts? which parts? when?). And more recently, both parties have been assessing their options in light of the pending Supreme Court decision on whether subsidies should continue to flow to consumers living in states using the federal exchange.

Not even one full quarter into the 114th Congress, the 2016 – and even 2018 – Congressional elections are part of every debate.

Members of both parties are keenly aware of who they ‘should’ and ‘should not’ be working with on the other side of the aisle. It is verboten to introduce legislation or partner with any member of the opposite party considered to be remotely vulnerable in 2016.

And a top consideration in debates over the Medicare Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) and CHIP funding extension happening in the last weeks of March are the timing of proposed Medicare cuts to seniors – 2018 – and the impact on the many Senate Democrats who will be up for election that year.

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.

The current and new members of the 2015 Senate and House committees with health jurisdiction: Senate Committee on Finance Republicans:

Democrats:

Orrin G. Hatch (UT), Chairman Chuck Grassley (IA) Mike Crapo, (ID) Pat Roberts (KS) Michael B. Enzi (WY) John Cornyn (TX) John Thune (SD) Richard Burr (NC) Johnny Isakson (GA) Rob Portman (OH) Patrick Toomey (PA) Dan Coats (IN) Dean Heller (NV) Tim Scott (SC)

Ron Wyden (OR), Ranking Member Charles E. Schumer (NY) Debbie Stabenow (MI) Maria Cantwell (WA) Bill Nelson (FL) Robert Menendez (NJ) Thomas R. Carper (DE) Champion for Benjamin L. Cardin (MD) dental benefits on Sherrod Brown (OH) the Hill, Debbie Michael F. Bennet (CO) Stabenow is a Robert P. Casey, Jr. (PA) member of the Mark R. Warner (VA) Senate Committee on Finance

Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions

A physician from Baton Rouge, Bill Cassidy served in the Louisiana State Senate before being elected to represent the 6th District in the U.S. House in 2008. Cassidy ran for Senate in 2014 and defeated incumbent Senator Mary Landrieu in a run-off election.

and its subcommittee on Health Care where she is the Ranking Member.

Republicans:

Democrats:

Lamar Alexander (TN), Chairman Michael B. Enzi (WY) Richard Burr (NC) Johnny Isakson (GA) Rand Paul (KY) Susan Collins (ME) Lisa Murkowski (AK) Mark Kirk (IL) Tim Scott (SC) Orrin G. Hatch (UT) Pat Roberts (KS) Bill Cassidy, M.D. (LA)

Patty Murray (WA), Ranking Member Barbara A. Mikulski (MD) Bernard Sanders (I) (VT) Robert P. Casey, Jr. (PA) Al Franken (MN) Michael F. Bennet (CO) Sheldon Whitehouse (RI) Tammy Baldwin (WI) Christopher S. Murphy (CT) Elizabeth Warren (MA)

Committee Member LEGEND : New Health Subcommittee Member

House Energy & Commerce Committee

Michael Burgess represents Texas’s 26th district. He practiced medicine for nearly three decades in North Texas before serving on the Hill where he is now Vice Chair of the E&C Subcommittee on Health.

Republicans:

Democrats:

Fred Upton (MI-6), Chairman Joe Barton (TX-6), Chairman Emeritus Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) Marsha Blackburn (TN-7), Vice Chairman Susan Brooks (IN-5) Larry Bucshon (IN-8) Michael C. Burgess (TX-26) Chris Collins (NY-27) Kevin Cramer (ND-AL) Renee Ellmers (NC-2) Bill Flores (TX-17) Morgan Griffith (VA-9) Brett Guthrie (KY-2) Gregg Harper (MS-3) Richard Hudson (NC-8) Bill Johnson (OH-6) Adam Kinzinger (IL-16) Leonard Lance (NJ-7) Bob Latta (OH-5) Billy Long (MO-7) David McKinley (WV-1) Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-5) Markwayne Mullin (OK-2) Tim Murphy (PA-18) Pete Olson (TX-22) Joseph R. Pitts (PA-16) Mike Pompeo (KS-4) Steve Scalise (LA-1) John Shimkus (IL-15) Greg Walden (OR-2) Ed Whitfield (KY-1)

Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-6), Ranking Member G. K. Butterfield (NC-1) Lois Capps (CA-24) Tony Cardenas (CA-29) Kathy Castor (FL-14) Yvette D. Clarke (NY-9) Diana DeGette (CO-1) Michael F. Doyle (PA-14) Eliot L. Engel (NY-16) Anna G. Eshoo (CA-18) Gene Green (TX-29) Joseph P. Kennedy III (MA-4) David Loebsack (IA-2) Ben Ray Lujan (NM-1) Doris O. Matsui (CA-6) Jerry McNerney (CA-9) Bobby L. Rush (IL-1) John Sarbanes (MD-3) Jan Schakowsky (IL-9) Kurt Schrader (OR-5) Paul Tonko (NY-20) Peter Welch (VT-AL) John Yarmuth (KY-3)

Committee Member LEGEND : New Health Subcommittee Member

House Committee on Ways and Means Republicans:

Democrats:

Paul Ryan (WI-1), Chairman Diane Black (TN-6) Charles W. Boustany Jr. (LA-3) Kevin Brady (TX-8) Vern Buchanan (FL-16) George Holding (NC-13) Lynn Jenkins (KS-2) Sam Johnson (TX-3) Mike Kelly (PA-3) Kenny Marchant (TX-24) Patrick Meehan (PA-7) Kristi Noem (SD-AL) Devin Nunes (CA-22) Erik Paulsen (MN-3) Tom Price (GA-6) Tom Reed (NY-23) Dave G. Reichert (WA-8) Jim Renacci, (OH-16) Peter J. Roskam (IL-6) Adrian Smith (NE-3) Jason Smith (MO-8) Pat Tiberi (OH-12) Todd Young (IN-9)

Sander Levin (MI-9), Ranking Member Xavier Becerra (CA-34) Earl Blumenauer (OR-3) Joseph Crowley (NY-14) Danny Davis (IL-7) Lloyd Doggett (TX-35) Ron Kind (WI-3) John B. Larson (CT-1) John Lewis (GA-5) Jim McDermott (WA-7) Richard E. Neal (MA-1) Bill Pascrell Jr. (NJ-9) Charles B. Rangel (NY-13) Linda Sánchez (CA-38) Mike Thompson (CA-5)

Prior to serving on the East Hartford Town Council, the Connecticut Senate and eventually the U.S. House, John Larson worked as a high school history teacher and was also the co-owner of an insurance agency in East Hartford. Larson represents Connecticut’s 1st district and serves on Ways and Means and subcommittees on Oversight and Select Revenue Measures.

NADPac Report March 2015

PAC FACTS

So far in the 2015-16 election cycle, NADPac has contributed $2,000 to two congressional campaigns.

Representative Ron Kind (WI-3) Representing Wisconsin’s 3rd District, Ron Kind is a member of the House Ways and Means where he also serves on the Health and Trade Subcommittees.

NADPac STATS Year 2015 NADPac Figures: Beginning cash balance 1/1/15: $20,680.13 Closing cash balance 3/29/15: $24,530.13 Contributions from individuals: $1,200 Contributions from PACs: $5,000 Disbursements to federal candidates: $2,000

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

NADPac

Contributors The following individuals and corporate PACs have contributed funds to support NADPac efforts in 2015. NADPac appreciates the support of these contributors: • • • • • • •

Stacia Almquist, Assurant Employee Benefits Charles Brody, Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina Guardian Life Federal PAC Kris Hathaway, NADP Evelyn Ireland, NADP Theresa McConeghey, Principal Financial Group Kate McCown, Ameritas

Senator Charles E. Schumer (NY) Serves on several Committees including Rules and Administration; Judiciary; Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs; and Finance.

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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

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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