Summer is upon us…finally!!  Winter seems to last longer as I get older and I am beginning to better understand why some retired folks move south for the winter.  Before we all get too busy with the golf outing, I want to remind all of you how important this summer is to our industry.  The time is now for us to be meeting with our client, business leaders and legislatures to educate them on the importance of our industry and the impact of Health Care Reform.  

The Board of Directors has been very busy dealing with the many issues regarding the enactment of the Health Care Reform legislation with its impact on our industry and our clients.  The Board of Directors needs to let you know that Laurie Kohls, our President Elect, has resigned due to personal and business reasons.  I am sure you all will join the Board of Directors in wishing Laurie well in the future and thanking her for her time and commitment to WAHU.

With Laurie’s resignation the Board has appointed our current Vice President, Mike Farrell, to the position of President Elect to fill the 2011 President’s position. With this change WAHU will need to fill the positions of President Elect and Vice President for next years’ board.  Our nominations committee: comprised of Kate Ludwigson, Terri Courtney, and Todd Catlin, has begun the search for qualified candidates and will be contacting them regarding the various board positions that are available.   We need people to say yes to these calls and agree to serve in these vital roles.

A number of us will be attending the NAHU Annual Conference in Chicago June 26-June 30.  I personally am looking forward to hearing the reports from individuals who represented us in Washington and get their perspective on how Health Care Reform Legislation will impact our industry.  All I know for sure, is our industry will never be the same.  The fight is far from over and all of us must be involved.  Every one of us must talk to our legislators, clients and business leaders to educate them on the provisions of this legislation.  It is now or never!

We also have two WAHU members, Chris Hanson and Jeff Klett, running for Assembly seats.  The WAHU Board and all members wish them well and hope they are victorious.