One of the best uses of Texans taxpayer money has got to be the Legislative website.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/
From this website you can watch the session in process, committee meetings, look up bills, find out who represents you (and what they are all about), get stock pictures of the Capitol and so much more.
Since I watch the House of Represenatives for fun, I wanted to spread the joy around and let you know that you can too!
Before you know it, you might be a legislative junkie too. Check it out!
Just trying to teach you a little something today,
Misty B.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
Giddy, like a school girl.
When I joined the Texas Association of Health Underwriters (TAHU) almost 10 years ago I was a wide eyed, excited girl. I was mesmerized by the full board of 40+ people shaping the history of our professional association. I was also nervous about what, if anything, I would be able to contribute to this massive body of seasoned veterans. These people had worked tirelessly for years to form what I consider to be the best functioning health insurance organization in the US.
Upon joining the Association, I first wanted to find out exactly what they were all about. Despite what you have heard I am not a joiner. I learned that TAHU is a professional organization for health insurance agents and carrier representatives who educates, stimulates, lobbies and supports professional agents. It is a playground for professional agents: here you can join, participate and change the industry for the better.
I have been blessed in the last 10 years to serve this organization. I have eagerly served on committees like convention planning, newsletters, website and my fiery passion-legislation.
For the last 5 years of so, I have been knee deep in the TAHU Legislative world. I am honored to be a part of it. Here I find challenges that have made me grow into a better person. I can debate, articulate my opinion and formulate policy that changes my industry. Do you get to do that in your job or volunteer service?
So, for the last 24 hours I have been in TAHU Board Meetings. Yes, my butt hurts from sitting here all day but my heart is so warm with the process in which this board moves. I have made some incredible friends, some enemies and the most amazing opportunities. As i walk into this latest assignment, TAHU Treasurer, I am filed with pride. TAHU is an amazing organization; I am just the lucky girl that gets to be a part of it.
…and yes, I still get giddy when I walk into the board meeting,
Misty B.
Upon joining the Association, I first wanted to find out exactly what they were all about. Despite what you have heard I am not a joiner. I learned that TAHU is a professional organization for health insurance agents and carrier representatives who educates, stimulates, lobbies and supports professional agents. It is a playground for professional agents: here you can join, participate and change the industry for the better.
I have been blessed in the last 10 years to serve this organization. I have eagerly served on committees like convention planning, newsletters, website and my fiery passion-legislation.
For the last 5 years of so, I have been knee deep in the TAHU Legislative world. I am honored to be a part of it. Here I find challenges that have made me grow into a better person. I can debate, articulate my opinion and formulate policy that changes my industry. Do you get to do that in your job or volunteer service?
So, for the last 24 hours I have been in TAHU Board Meetings. Yes, my butt hurts from sitting here all day but my heart is so warm with the process in which this board moves. I have made some incredible friends, some enemies and the most amazing opportunities. As i walk into this latest assignment, TAHU Treasurer, I am filed with pride. TAHU is an amazing organization; I am just the lucky girl that gets to be a part of it.
…and yes, I still get giddy when I walk into the board meeting,
Misty B.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Insurance: the good, the bad and the ugly.
Yes, I am alive. Many of my loyal readers have been begging me to start writing my blog again. Peer pressure works folks, so here is my best new rant.
This week a friend of mine called me and said that her brother was in the hospital and needed to have blood clot removed from his foot due to diabetes. This man worked for a small company and his employment was terminated while he was in the hospital. The man’s doctor advised him that since he did not have insurance, they would need to amputate his foot instead of breaking up the blood clot in a last ditch effort to save his foot.
I explained to my friend that her brother did in fact have insurance….state continuation (being a small employer under 20 lives) was available to him. So, the poor guy had to call his carrier, Principal, and enrolled in the 6 months of State Continuation. The doctor was able to save his foot and do the more expensive blood clot removing surgery…but only because he had insurance.
Who is at fault here, if you believe in fault. The doctor for not wanting to make money? The patient for not taking care of his health and getting diabetes? The employer for terminating the guy cause he wasn’t showing up for work? The insurance company for not offering him State Continuation right away? Who knows, and since the man still has two feet…who cares.
Not to pat myself on the back here, but when it comes to specific health insurance issues- you need a good, educated agent. Did you know that State Continuation is available? Does the average person know about SB 51, COBRA, or how to contact their insurance company? Possibly not….but a good agent does.
Always looking out for consumers,
Misty B.
This week a friend of mine called me and said that her brother was in the hospital and needed to have blood clot removed from his foot due to diabetes. This man worked for a small company and his employment was terminated while he was in the hospital. The man’s doctor advised him that since he did not have insurance, they would need to amputate his foot instead of breaking up the blood clot in a last ditch effort to save his foot.
I explained to my friend that her brother did in fact have insurance….state continuation (being a small employer under 20 lives) was available to him. So, the poor guy had to call his carrier, Principal, and enrolled in the 6 months of State Continuation. The doctor was able to save his foot and do the more expensive blood clot removing surgery…but only because he had insurance.
Who is at fault here, if you believe in fault. The doctor for not wanting to make money? The patient for not taking care of his health and getting diabetes? The employer for terminating the guy cause he wasn’t showing up for work? The insurance company for not offering him State Continuation right away? Who knows, and since the man still has two feet…who cares.
Not to pat myself on the back here, but when it comes to specific health insurance issues- you need a good, educated agent. Did you know that State Continuation is available? Does the average person know about SB 51, COBRA, or how to contact their insurance company? Possibly not….but a good agent does.
Always looking out for consumers,
Misty B.
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