Overview
The Government and Health Insurance committees act as agents of the Board to provide liaison and advocacy in relation to the Arizona State Legislature, the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) and other agencies that the Board may specify.
The Health Insurance committees monitor existing health insurance programs for University retirees, propose improvements in insurance programs and suggest actions that should be taken by the Association to provide the best possible health insurance coverage for its members. The committees also help make the members aware of their health insurance options.
The committees are responsible for planning and directing any ASURA membership efforts to exert influence on designated agencies. They consult with the Board in the planning of their activities, and base their advocacy activities on prior approval by the Board.
While there are any number of different issues, the committees' chief concerns have been with legislation before the Arizona Legislature in three areas:
- ASU and its annual budget
- ASRS retirement benefits
- Public education at the pre-university and community-college levels
- Senior care
Government-related
At least one of the committee members is registered with the Arizona Secretary of State as a lobbyist. If there is more than one lobbyist, one is marked as the designated lobbyist and is the chair. The chair is responsible for making the other liaisons aware of their responsibilities and for filing quarterly reports and certain other forms required from ASURA regarding its lobbying activities by the Secretary of State.
As a lobbyist, the liaison has legal authority to speak at various State agencies and the Arizona Legislature on behalf of ASURA. The advocacy is limited by the ASURA Bylaws and approval of their specific activities by the ASURA Board.
The liaisons do more than just monitor bills being considered in the Legislature; they also attend meetings of various Government Councils dealing with topics of interest to retirees, e.g., Council on Aging, or agencies, e.g., ASRS.
If you would like to:
- Review Legislative bills.
- Present to a legislative committee.
- Scan the ASU, Arizona Board of Regents, and local news websites, etc. for pertinent information.
- Attend council or agency meetings and report back to the Board
then you are ready to become a Government Liaison and should contact the Government Council Chair.
Health insurance-related
Health Insurance is one of the more important recurring expenses for retirees. It also often turns out to be one of the more apparently complicated aspects of retirement given changing Federal and State Policies and an annual open enrollment period.
Historically there have beenat least two committee members focusing on health insurance: one for the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) health insurance and one for the Arizona Department of Administration (ADOA) health insurance. The two work together to help ensure our members have the latest health insurance information.
Occasionally there will be legislation that impacts ASRS / ADOA Health Insurance. In such situations the Government and Health Insurance Councils work together and support or oppose the legislation as directed by the Board.
The council can always use more members so if you would like to help
- Collect and read the Open Enrollment Information from ADOA and ASRS each October,
- Help members with Open Enrollment issues during the Open Enrollment period
- Gather information from various resources pertaining to current developments and trends in health insurance for retirees to share with the members
Then this committee needs your help and you should contact one of the committee chairs.
