NADPac Report
September 2016
In this issue: Washington Insider
Congress To-Do List PAC FAQs PAC Stats NADPac Contributors & Committee
Political Action Committee
NADPac Report September 2016
Washington Insider Capital Updates with Lisa Layman
Two months remain until the Presidential election with one thing certain: both major party candidates are wildly unpopular with large portions of their respective bases and the general population. The historic levels of visceral distaste add an element of uncertainty to both the polling and eventual outcome of the 2016 elections. Even so, predictions must be made and so it is worth remembering that the national picture tells a different story than the state-by-state story (and because of the Electoral College, the state-by-state story is the important one). The most recent RealClearPolitics average of national polls shows Clinton only narrowly leading Trump by 2.4 points in a 4-way race (with Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson and Green Party candidate Jill Stein), despite Clinton holding a substantial edge in fundraising, field operations, and standing among minority voters. The state-by-state polls suggest a much stronger Electoral College showing for Clinton. Pollsters generally agree that Clinton holds a respectableto-solid lead in 18 states plus the District of Columbia and Maine’s 1st District (Maine and Nebraska split their electoral votes by congressional district), representing 229 of the 270 electoral votes needed to win, while Trump holds a lead in 20 states, representing 154 electoral votes. Thus, 11 states and Maine’s 2nd District, and their collective 155 electoral votes, are up for grabs with Clinton needing only 41 to Trump’s 115. This is where the “math” becomes difficult for Trump. In order to reach the magic 270, Trump must win each of the swing states where he currently holds a small lead (IA, ME 2nd district, GA, AZ and MO) and those where Clinton currently holds a smaller-than-4-point lead (NC, NV, FL and OH) as well as at least one state where Clinton is polling more than 5 points ahead (VA, WI, PA). The state-by-state polls suggest a possible, but very narrow, path to victory for a President Trump. My earlier caveat, “visceral distaste = this is not a normal election,” is important. Polls showing Clinton with a sizeable electoral lead could well be wrong (recall that the reputable FiveThirtyEight’s polling average for the Democratic primary in Michigan showed Clinton ahead by 21 points, but Sanders won the contest) and the televised debates beginning September 26 give Trump an opportunity to appeal to undecided voters in electoral-vote rich states like Pennsylvania and Florida.
CONGRESS
September
To-Do List
Y
Pass a Continuing Resolution (CR) to fund the government past Sept. 30 and potentially through Dec.
Y
Topics for policy debate: Zika response and funding, drug price hikes (e.g. EpiPen and Daraprim)
What would a Clinton or Trump presidency mean for NADP? While control of Congress will have an impact, some degree of change to the Affordable Care Act is likely under any scenario.
October
Y
Campaign and GOTV – Get Out The Vote
November
Y
Election day: November 8
Y
Pass an Omnibus Appropriations Bill to fund the Federal government beyond the CR expiration date (TBD). Both the length of the Omnibus and whether ACA “fixes” are included, will depend upon the election results.
Y
Look forward to Inauguration on Friday, Jan. 20
December
Holiday
D.C. Work Week (In Session)
District Work Week (Recess)
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NADPac Report September 2016 What would a Clinton or Trump presidency mean for NADP? While control of Congress will have an impact, some degree of change to the Affordable Care Act is likely under any scenario.
Should Trump win, it is likely the Republicans will maintain control of the Senate and there will be enormous pressure on a GOP White House and GOP Congress to follow through on years of promises and repeal as much of ‘Obamacare’ as possible. Should Clinton win, the extent of changes to the ACA will largely be dictated by whether Republicans maintain control of the Senate (which as of this writing seems likely) or whether Democrats take control by a narrow margin. At a minimum, we can expect to see so-called technical changes and possibly farther reaching changes such as increased standardization of benefits. NADP continues to actively engage with key Congressional offices in anticipation of the right set of circumstances to enact changes to the Affordable Care Act beneficial to the industry. NADPac can be a powerful tool; 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 U.S. 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.
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 2016 include: • Cigna • Solstice Benefits • EmblemHealth Services • Southland Benefit Solutions • EMI Health • Superior Dental Care • Liberty Dental Plan
PAC Stats
Year 2016 NADPac Figures: Beginning cash balance 1/1/16: $21,530.13 Closing cash balance 9/6/16: $25,155.13 Contributions from individuals: $1,125 Contributions from PACs: $9,500 Disbursements to federal candidates: $7,000
Year 2015 NADPac Figures: Beginning cash balance 1/1/15: $20,680.13 Closing cash balance 12/31/15: $21,530.13 Contributions from individuals: $2,850 Contributions from PACs: $7,000 Disbursements to federal candidates: $9,000
NADPac Contributors The following individuals and corporate PACs have contributed funds to support NADPac efforts in 2016 and a May fundraising event held for Senator Stabenow (MI). NADPac appreciates the support of these contributors: Assurant PAC Lydia Barad, EmblemHealth Cigna PAC Tony Cook, Dental Care Plus Group DDPA PAC Guardian PAC Kris Hathaway, NADP Suzanne Heckenlaible, Delta Dental of IA Highmark PAC Evelyn Ireland, NADP
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Frank Kolb, DDPA Lisa Layman, Brown Rudnick Joe Lentine, DENCAP Dental Plans Michael Lewan, The Michael Lewan Company Theresa McConeghey, Principal Kate McCown, Ameritas MetLife PAC Principal PAC Jon Seltenheim, UCCI Dr. Gene Sherman, Starmount
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. Suzanne Heckenlaible VP of Public Affairs Delta Dental of IA
Jonathan Renfrew Vice President, Federal Affairs Guardian Life Insurance Company
Evelyn Ireland, CAE NADP Executive Director and NADPac Treasurer eireland@nadp.org
Jon Seltenheim Sr. VP of Business and Government Strategy United Concordia Companies, Inc.
Michael Lewan The Michael Lewan Company
Irica Solomon Government Relations, Public Affairs, Compliance MetLife
James Mullen Public and Government Affairs Manager Delta Dental of CA, NY, PA & Affiliates
NADP Staff Liaisons:
Chris Payne VP of Federal Government Relations Principal Financial Group
Kris Hathaway Government Relations Director, NADP khathaway@nadp.org Eme Augustini Associate Director of Government Relations, NADP eaugustini@nadp.org
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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