I've got health care on my mind. Is anyone really surprised the GOP Obamacare repeal bill collapsed in the Senate? I, for one, am not. Why?

I believe its fate was certain because, even though scores of Republicans won elections with a promise of repealing and replacing Obamacare, they had no plan to replace it-even though they had seven years to devise something better.

They failed even though the party controls the House, Senate and White House. It's embarrassing, but not unexpected. It's as if the whole pitch to repeal and replace was a charade. It played well. It got votes. But then the unthinkable happened: Donald Trump beat Hillary Clinton. After the shock and surprise started to fade, I'm sure it occurred to some that they would actually have to come up with a solution to fix the mess, not just criticize Democrats.

Before I continue, I know some of you might not know me well and might be thinking, "Damn, that Morris-he's just another left-wing media hack knocking Republicans." Pardon my French, but au contraire! The Obama years were the most painful, ideology-wise, in my lifetime. It's going to take decades to get out from under the damage that was done.

While the current administration's ideology might be more in my wheelhouse, that doesn't mean I'm a fan of the way Republicans are governing in the Trump era. I think one can be true to traditional Republican values without supporting the way Trump is governing. As I said during last year's campaign, "Please don't make me choose between Trump and Clinton." We were presented with a bad choice, and nothing I've seen since January has changed my opinion.

Having said that, there is this brief window of opportunity, while Republicans hold the advantage, to make some headway in reversing what I feel was a lot of bad legislation enacted over the last eight years.

The "Unaffordable" Care Act is one of those colossal pieces of bad policy. I'm sure everyone remembers this was passed without a single Republican vote. And a lot of Democrats who voted for it never read the bill. I call that ramming an ideology down everyone's throat. But you've got to give the devil his due- the Democrats banded together and got the job done while they had the numbers. Once an entitlement like that is enacted, the chances of getting rid of it are slim.

The Republicans have the numbers now, if only for two years. So far, they can't seem to get out of the way of themselves. They don't need to worry about fighting Democrats because they're too busy fighting one another. The attitude I see within the Republican Party is too many legislators saying, "It's my way or the highway." There's little collaboration.

Back to health care. While I wholeheartedly believe Obamacare should be repealed and replaced, there has to be a plan to move forward. A pure, single-payer, governmentrun health care plan would be the worst of all solutions. I realize this is the direction many would like to head. If that is where we end up, I will know we have officially failed as a country to find a way to continue providing the best health care in the world. It will be sad if we're all forced to depend on government-run health care. Don't believe that? How's the Veterans Administration model working? Is government functioning on any level at the moment?

And yet I'm not saying the Republican Senate plan was the proper path forward. It seemed mean-spirited and hastily put together. With seven years to come up with an alternative plan, one could reasonably expect something better. But that would take some collaboration.

What should be done? I've "progressed" on the issue. I've come to believe the government should overhaul Medicare and Medicaid and provide "basic" health care to all U.S. citizens. We just need to figure out how to pay for it without all the "soak the rich" rhetoric. If we're going to provide basic health care to everyone, we'll have to cut spending elsewhere. But I'm no single-payer convert. Those with the financial means should be able to pay to enrich their health coverage-to receive care comparable to what they get now.

Yes, I know this is simplistic, without any of the necessary details provided. But if this isn't the best plan, what is? I'd love to hear some civil dialogue on the topics

Enhancing employer solutions, expanding distribution capabilities, and broadening customer reach

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. & CLEVELAND--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Horace Mann Educators Corporation (NYSE: HMN) and Medical Mutual of Ohio today announced they have entered into two separate agreements under which Horace Mann will acquire the employee assistance provider Employee Services, LLC (ESI) through the acquisition of ESI membership interests, and separately, will acquire an individual supplemental platform through the acquisition of all outstanding capital stock of Reserve National Insurance Company (RNIC) and reinsure MedMutual Life Insurance Company’s group life and disability business while Medical Mutual of Ohio will retain the legal insurance entity.

Together, these established businesses bring deep expertise, strong customer relationships and complementary capabilities to Horace Mann. These transactions add nearly $200 million in annual revenue, serve more than one million covered lives across approximately 7,000 employer relationships, and add over 1,000 agents and brokers, significantly expanding Horace Mann’s customer reach and distribution capabilities.

The transactions are expected to be immediately accretive to Horace Mann’s core earnings per share and shareholder return on equity by strengthening the company's earnings profile through a combination of high-margin insurance businesses, recurring fee-based revenue and enhanced capital efficiency.

"Our strategy has always been centered on creating stronger customer relationships by providing meaningful solutions that meet our customer needs," said Marita Zuraitis, President and Chief Executive Officer of Horace Mann. "These businesses build on our long-term strategy by enhancing our employer value proposition, broadening our distribution capabilities and expanding customer relationships. They create more opportunities to serve educators and employers with a broader portfolio of solutions while extending our reach through complementary customer and distribution relationships."

"These transactions also reflect the disciplined approach we've consistently taken to capital allocation. We invest where we see the strongest opportunities to create long-term profitable growth while delivering attractive returns for shareholders. The differentiated capabilities, high-quality earnings, and exceptional people joining Horace Mann make these businesses both a natural strategic fit and an attractive financial investment."

“This decision reflects our ongoing focus to align our portfolio with our long-term strategy,” said Tony Helton, President and Chief Executive Officer of Medical Mutual. “We will continue to focus our investment and leadership attention on our core businesses and deliver the highest value for our customers and the communities we serve. We are pleased to work with Horace Mann on an outcome that advances the objectives of both organizations and supports a smooth transition for customers, partners and team members while ensuring these businesses continue to thrive.”

Customers and business partners should not experience any disruption to service or ongoing support as a result of these transactions. Medical Mutual and Horace Mann are committed to ensuring a seamless transition and maintaining the high level of service stakeholders expect.

These transactions have a total net purchase price of approximately $240 million and will be financed through a combination of excess capital and borrowings under Horace Mann's existing revolving credit facility.

The ESI transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2026. The RNIC acquisition and the MedMutual Life Insurance Company group life and disability reinsurance transaction are expected to close in the first quarter of 2027. Each transaction remains subject to customary closing conditions. The acquisition of RNIC and the reinsurance business of MedMutual Life Insurance Company is also subject to regulatory approvals.

Advisors

Raymond James & Associates is acting as financial advisor to Horace Mann and Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP is acting as legal counsel to Horace Mann. Squire Patton Boggs is acting as legal counsel for Medical Mutual of Ohio and Sherman & Company is acting as financial advisor.

Investor Conference Call/Webcast

Horace Mann will host a conference call to discuss the transactions on Wednesday, July 22, 2026 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time. The conference call will be webcast live at investors.horacemann.com and available later in the day for replay.

About Horace Mann

Horace Mann Educators Corporation (NYSE:HMN) is the largest multiline financial services company focused on helping America’s educators and others who serve the community achieve lifelong financial success. The company offers individual and group insurance and financial solutions tailored to the needs of the educator community. Founded by Educators for Educators® in 1945, the company is headquartered in Springfield, Illinois. For more information, visit www.horacemann.com.

About Medical Mutual of Ohio

Founded in 1934, Medical Mutual is the oldest and one of the largest health insurance companies based in Ohio. The company provides peace of mind to more than 1.1 million Ohioans through high-quality health, dental and vision products. Medical Mutual offers fully insured and self-funded group coverage, including stop loss, as well as Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement and Individual plans. As a mutual company, Medical Mutual is owned by its members, not stockholders. The company focuses on products and services that help customers and communities live healthier through all stages of life. For more information, visit the MedMutual.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

Statements included in this news release that are not historical in nature are forward-looking within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are made based on management’s current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects upon Horace Mann and its subsidiaries. Horace Mann cautions investors that such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond Horace Mann’s control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking statements included in this document. Certain important factors that could cause actual results to differ, possibly materially, from expectations or estimates reflected in such forward-looking statements can be found in the “Risk Factors” and “Forward-Looking Information” sections included in Horace Mann’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Horace Mann does not undertake to update any particular forward-looking statement included in this document if we later become aware that such statement is not likely to be achieved.

No Offer or Solicitation

This communication is for informational purposes only and is not intended to and does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to subscribe for or buy or an invitation to purchase or subscribe for any securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction pursuant to the acquisition, the merger or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. No offer of securities shall be made except in accordance with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and other applicable law.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260721708156/en/

Horace Mann

Investor Contact:

Rachael Luber

Vice President, Investor Relations

217.788.5163

[email protected]

Media Contact:

David Goldberg

Assistant Vice President, Enterprise Communications

617.435.5776

[email protected]

Medical Mutual of Ohio

Media Contact:

Jonathon Fauvie

Manager, Content, Communications and Public Affairs

[email protected]

Source: Horace Mann Educators Corporation