National Association of Professional Insurance Agents Unveils 2018 Policy and Advocacy Priorities

WASHINGTON, Jan. 31 -- The National Association of Professional Insurance Agents issued the following news release:

The National Association of Professional Insurance Agents (PIA) has unveiled its 2018 Policy and Advocacy Priorities.

"PIA National consulted with PIA members across the country and reviewed current congressional priorities to develop our 2018 Policy and Advocacy Priorities," said PIA National Vice President of Government Relations Jon Gentile. "While these are our top priorities, PIA National is always working to promote and defend the interests of the independent agent, wherever those interests take us."

In its policy and advocacy document, PIA outlines its 2018 priorities in six areas:

Flood Insurance: PIA National supports a long-term reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) that also promotes the growth of the private flood insurance market and protects the interests of independent agents.

Protection of State Insurance Regulation: PIA National supports a modern, state-based insurance system and opposes any federal office or international standard that would threaten it. As such, PIA supports the repeal of the Federal Insurance Office.

Role & Value of Agents in Healthcare Reform: PIA National supports the critical role that independent agents play in the sale and servicing of health insurance. PIA National supports legislation and efforts to exempt agent compensation from the administrative component of the medical loss ratio (MLR) formula, which has pushed many agents out of the health insurance industry. In addition, PIA National supports the recent delay of the so-called "Cadillac tax" on employer-sponsored health plans and will continue to seek its full repeal.

Promotion of Small Businesses & Tax Reform: PIA National supports a clear implementation process for the individual and corporate income tax laws that were passed late last year. PIA National opposes tax provisions and regulations that impede small business growth.

Cybersecurity: PIA National supports protection of sensitive consumer data using a harm trigger and other methods that are flexible, risk-based, and practical for small businesses.

Crop Insurance: PIA National supports the vital role that independent agents play in the delivery of crop insurance. PIA National will work closely with Congress as the 2018 Farm Bill reauthorization moves forward this year.

PIA National represents members' interests in state capitals and in Washington, D.C. to ensure that lawmakers and regulators understand and support the independent agency system. PIA's grassroots campaigns, including the annual PIA National Federal Legislative Summit (FLS) in April, give individual agents a powerful collective voice in government.