Medicare Advisory Group Key Issues and Reaction to CMS Marketing Guideline Draft February 2011

1. Medicare Advisory Group Key Issues and Reaction to CMS Marketing Guideline Draft February 2011

2. Why are We “Lobbying”? • NAHU members are a valuable resource to the policymaking process • We are all joined in a growing trade association because we care about our industry and its future • We have distinctive knowledge and understanding of the realities of health care markets • We must interface and build relationships with elected officials so that they make policy decisions that are based on how we make health care work on a daily basis

3. What to Expect in a Meeting • Health care staff people who advise Member of Congress on health and health insurance issues can be new to the subject matter • Capitol Hill staff in personal offices often cover a wide variety of issues for their Member • It is up to us to help Members and staff understand how health care delivery works in the real world, and how different policy ideas might affect the populations that we serve

4. What to Expect in a Meeting • Likely to meet with staff, and perhaps not Member of Congress / Senator • Meetings usually last no more than 25-30 minutes • Members of Congress have very crowded and busy schedules, but they rely on staff to be their eyes and ears on their policy portfolio. So get to know and develop a working relationship with key people on their staff. • If Member is able to meet with you, it is not uncommon for him/her to be late or to have the meeting interrupted • Always keep in mind that since this is your livelihood, you probably know a lot more about health insurance than the staff or Member – help them learn more

5. The Approach: Quick Prep Items for your Meetings • In whatever team of colleagues you are joined for your visits, it is helpful coordinate among yourselves topics to be covered and assign main spokespeople • Try to determine how knowledgeable of health care the staff or Member of Congress is – know committee assignments, sponsorship / cosponsorship of measures, votes on major bills of interest

6. What to Expect on a Visit • Since your and their time is valuable, be prepared to state a clear and concise objective in discussing our issues • Explain why the issue is important to you personally (wear various hats: as producer, parent, as club member) and try to link the importance to the elected official’s district / state (“All Politics is Local”) • If you don’t know an answer – that’s OK! Make a note and get back to them