NADPac Report

NADPac Report May 2014

In this issue: Washington Insider

PAC Facts & Figures Trivia and FAQs NADPac Committee

NADPac Report

May 2014

Washington Insider Capital Updates with Lisa Layman

NADPac’s January report discussed the rolling political tides: Republicans had taken a beating over the government shutdown, but were resuscitated by the healthcare.gov debacle. The President’s poll numbers dropped in response, and the National Republican Senatorial Committee, sensing control of the Senate just within reach, amplified their message that 2014 Senate Democrats were synonymous with the failing Obamacare.

What has happened since January? New polls out almost daily on the President’s popularity (or lack thereof), public perception of the Affordable Care Act, and the 12-14 Senate races in play offer a dizzying and often conflicting picture. Within the last two days, depending on your poll of choice, either the President’s approval is at a new low, or for the first time in six months more voters approve of him than disapprove. For every pollster or pundit certain of a Republican Senate takeover in November, another is emphatically confident the Democrats will retain the majority.

The trend line, rather than the daily numbers game, is what matters. Despite a fairly dramatic improvement in the working order of healthcare.gov (not even Nancy Pelosi predicted 8 million Exchange enrollees, and talk of Obamacare repeal has evaporated), it hasn’t had a noteworthy impact on Americans’ views of the President’s handling of health care. Views on the economy and the Ukraine crisis are similarly low.

During a midterm election year, the President’s approval rating is scrutinized for what it means about his party’s prospects come November.

Whether Obama’s approval is at 39 or 41 or 43 percent, he is receiving low marks and the message to Congressional Democrats in cycle is clear.

Democrats running on Obamacare are hard to find. Vulnerable Democrats willing to speak of the subject at all tout their “fix” bills that could make meaningful if incremental improvements to Obamacare if only Republicans were willing to work with them, they lament. Republicans in both the Senate and House are better served politically by continuing to highlight the problems, rather than identify improvements. Any hope for significant legislative upgrades to the Affordable Care Act will have to wait until post-election.

A GOP pick-up of the six seats necessary to claim the Senate majority will not be easy. However, Republicans have several possible paths to victory. Democrats Tom Harkin of Iowa and Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia, both 30-year Senate veterans and strongholds in the liberal wing of the party hailing from red-to-purple states, are notable retirements. Iowa and West Virginia became states in play overnight. And Scott Brown, a moderate Republican and former Senator from Massachusetts, announced his candidacy last month for the Senate seat in New Hampshire (running a strong anti-Obamacare message against Obamacare “yea” vote Sen. Shaheen). To assure its current 55-45 majority in the Senate, Democrats now have a dozen seats to watch carefully, while Republicans worry only about their races in Kentucky and Georgia.

It’s hard to imagine the seismic shift that would be necessary for Republicans to lose control of the House. More likely, they will pick up a small number of seats. The trend line: control of the Senate remains a coin toss, and 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.

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.

PAC FACTS

During the 2013-14 election cycles, NADPac has contributed approximately $12,000 to seven 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 Kay Hagan (NC) 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 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 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 Representative Ron Kind (D-WI-3) Representing Wisconsin’s Third Energy and Natural Resources Committees.

Congressional District in Congress, Ron Kind is a member of the House Ways and Means Committee and serves on the Health Subcommittee.

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NADPac Report May 2014

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 DENCAP Dental Plans Dominion Dental Services Emblem Health GEHA Liberty Dental Plan

• • • • •

Risk Solution Resources, LLC Security Life Insurance Company Solstice Benefits Southland Benefit Solutions Willamette Dental Insurance

How are NADPac candidate contributions determined?

NADPac is a guided non-partisan committee that disburses funds based on a variety of factors as outlined by the NADPac Guidelines. Recommended contributions to federal candidates are reviewed and approved by the NADPac Committee, which meets several times a year. The Committee is appointed by the NADP Board to provide broad

member and lobby input.

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FAST FACTS

Year 2014 NADPac Figures:

Beginning cash balance 1/1/14: $15,630.13 Closing cash balance 3/31/14: $26,130.13 Contributions from individuals: $1,100 Contributions from PACs: $12,000 Disbursements to federal candidates: $2,000

2014 Individual and PAC Contributors: • • • • • • • • •

Ameritas PAC Dr. Dan Crowley, DDPA CA Kris Hathaway, NADP Evelyn Ireland, NADP Theresa McConeghey, Principal MetLife PAC Robin Muck, Premier Access Principal PAC Chris Swanker, Guardian

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

Have a question

about the

NADPAC you want answered?

Let us know!

Contact Eme Augustini at eaugustini@nadp.org.

Trivia Time Be the first to answer the following questions correctly by sending an email to EAugustini@nadp.org and you’ll be recognized in the next NADPac report!

It’s that time of year—colleges and universities are planning graduation ceremonies this month. President Obama will deliver commencement speeches at what schools this year?

July is National Ice Cream Month. How many gallons of ice cream do U.S. citizens consume per year on average? (Just guess!

Closest to the average wins!)

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 provide broad member and lobby input.

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 12700 Park Central Drive Ste 400 • Dallas, Texas 75251 P 972-458-6998 x101 972.458.6998 / info@nadp.org / nadp.org 12700 Park Central Dr, Ste 400 Dallas, TX 75251-1529