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14
www.ohiorestaurant.org
Fall 2012 Issue
PUBLIC POLICY
Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA),
states can set up their own health care exchanges or let the
federal government create and manage one on their behalf.
The Kasich administration and Lt. Mary Taylor, who also
serves as director of the Ohio Department of Insurance (ODI),
Lt. Governor Mary Taylor, have been hesitant to invest the
necessary state funds to create an exchange.
Their view is expressed as follows on the ODI website:
“In March of 2010, the Federal Health Care Act was signed
into law. The law includes a variety of mandates and one-size-
fits-all requirements regarding insurance coverage, health care
choices, and health care costs.
Among the many mandates forced onto states as part of the law,
Section 1311 requires each State to establish an American
Health Benefits Exchange (“Exchange”) or leave it to the
federal government to operate. The exchange is required to:
1) facilitate the purchase of qualified health plans; 2) provide
for the establishment of a Small Business Health Options
Program (“SHOP Exchange”) designed to assist qualified
employers in facilitating the enrollment of their employees in
qualified health plans; and 3) meet other mandates specified
in the federal health care law.
As Ohio continues to evaluate its options regarding
exchange planning, this website will provide Ohioans
with updates. Comments or questions are welcome
and encouraged to be sent to the following e-mail:
”
Will Ohio Have its Own
State-Managed Health Care Exchange?
According to our sources, the answer is: probably not
Is Anybody Watching the
Store in Our Nation’s Capital?
The answer is a resounding “yes”
This publication – à la Carte – is
a quarterly news magazine crafted
for members of the Ohio Restaurant
Association (ORA). We are a state trade
association, and, thus, when it comes
to advocacy, our primary focus is on
state issues.
You may have noticed, however, that
the U.S. Congress, the President and,
increasingly, a dizzying array of federal
agencies seem to be relentless in their
zeal for more government intervention.
So, while our priority is on state issues,
we know that federal issues play a huge
role in your business.
As a restaurant member of the ORA,
you are automatically a member of the
National Restaurant Association (NRA),
based in Washington, D.C. On a daily
basis, the ORA works closely with the
NRA. Our relationship is two-fold. First,
we provide input from our members to
help the NRA determine positions on
issues and set priorities. Second, we
respond to the NRA’s calls for action
by “rallying the troops” in Ohio when
it is most important that members of
Congress hear from restaurateurs in
their districts.
The NRA’s Policy and Government
Affairs department is led by Scott
DeFife, a seasoned and articulate
lobbyist whose team is comprised of very
skilled, capable people. Each member
of his staff is assigned to specific areas
where government intersects with the
restaurant industry. For example, Angelo
Amador deals with jobs and careers;
Dave Koenig focuses on profitability
and entrepreneurship; Joan McGlockton
oversees food and healthy living
while Sue Hensley manages areas of
sustainability and social responsibility.
Other staff are assigned to the most
time-sensitive and important issues of
the day. Each is supported by research
and communications staff. As with
many national trade and professional
associations, the NRA will also engage
outside political consultants (i.e.
lobbyists) as circumstances dictate.
Just like the ORA, the NRA’s involved
in many interest group coalitions. In
addition, the NRA represents the
restaurant industry at several key
national organizations of elected
officials, including the annual
conventions of both the Republican and
Democratic Governors’ Associations,
the National Association of Attorneys
General, the American Legislative
Exchange Council (a conservative
group) and the National Conference
of State Legislatures. Their goal is to
ensure that lawmakers and political
leaders fully appreciate the economic
significance of the restaurant industry
and to educate them about the impact
of their proposed laws and regulations
on today’s foodservice operators.
While the NRA’s priority is federal, it is
important to note that they have a full-
time staff person whose task is to be a
legislative resource to those serving at the
state level. Amanda Rieter’s help finding
position papers, relevant studies and best
practices in other states is invaluable.
