The Big 'I' takes on Capitol Hill

Members of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America recently gathered in Washington D.C. for their annual Legislative Conference. Benefits agents and property and casualty brokers spent three days meeting with congressional leaders and pushed for a repeal of the Affordable Care Act’s so-called Cadillac Tax and new legislation that would separate broker commissions from the ACA’s medical loss ratio.

Here we present some highlights from the conference.

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Overview

Members of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America recently gathered in Washington D.C. for their annual Legislative Conference. Benefits agents and property and casualty brokers spent three days meeting with congressional leaders and pushed for a repeal of the Affordable Care Act’s so-called Cadillac Tax and new legislation that would separate broker commissions from the ACA’s medical loss ratio.

Here we present some highlights from the conference.
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The Big "I" breakfast

More than 1,000 independent insurance agents and carrier representatives gathered at D.C.’s Grand Hyatt for the annual Legislative Breakfast.
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Kyes receives the Dan Fulwider Award

Big “I” Chairman Vaughn Graham presents the Dan Fulwider Award for Community Involvement to Ryan and Phaelesha Kyes of Alliance Financial & Insurance in Lowell, Mich. The award included a $2,500 donation the Kids’ Food Basket in Grand Rapids, Mich., a charity chosen by the Kyes’.
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Rhode Island meets with Senator Whitehouse

Big “I” members from Rhode Island met with Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) (back row center) at his office on Capitol Hill to discuss industry concerns.
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The Big "I" big wigs greet Sen. McConnell and Rep. Hoyer

Big “I” president & CEO Bob Rusbuldt, (far right) and SVP for external, industry and government affairs Charles Symington, (far left) greet Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.).
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The State of the Association Address

Big “I” Chairman Vaughn Graham delivers the annual State of the Association address at the general session of the Big “I” Legislative Conference.
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House Majority Whip address Big "I" members

House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) tells more than 1,000 independent insurance agents and carrier representatives that the debate over the ACA is over for remainder of this election cycle.
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Nilsson receives the Woodworth Memorial Award

Big “I” chairman Vaughn Graham (left) and president & CEO Bob Rusbuldt present Utah insurance agent Brett Nilsson (center) with the Woodworth Memorial Award, the association’s highest honor for service to the Big “I” and its members.
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Senate Majority Leader addresses The Big "I"

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) speaking at the Big “I” Legislative Breakfast.
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Braut receives the Sydney O. Smith Award

Big “I” government affairs committee chair Angela Ripley presents John Braut, an independent insurance agent from Montana, with the Sydney O. Smith award for legislative advocacy.
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Rusbuldt and Baier discuss political hot topics

Big “I” president & CEO Bob Rusbuldt and Fox News political anchor Bret Baier discuss the political highlights of the day and the changing nature of television journalism before a crowd at the conference’s closing general session.
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