Their Cost Of Health Insurance example essay topic

How does Government Relations affect businesses? Government Relations supports corporate goals through two key driving philosophies, public policy leadership and maximizing risk management capabilities. Using these goals and philosophies, Government Relations engages in a continual planning process that allows businesses to evaluate strategic initiatives and priorities. Government Relations is more commonly known as Lobbyist. In the article " Lobbyist: The good, bad and ugly" from the Gulf Cost Christian Newspaper, the author Don Mc Griff tells how he view lobbyist as beneficial as well as a problem for the citizens of Alabama.

Lobbyist is a group that represents people with a common interest to petition the government. ALFA Insurance helped lobby through an Act called the Insurance Premium Act of 1993, which mandated a premium tax on all insurance premium of 3.6%. This was good for ALFA but for the citizens of Alabama they were furious. In Florida Legislature killed the late summer "sales tax holiday", which was a small crumb of mercy it tossed the citizens for the past four years. The purpose of the "tax holiday" was to give parents a break in buying back to school clothes. In Florida lobbyists had legislation changed to raise taxes on parents who were buying their children shoes, and clothing so that the corporations of Florida can still get a fat tax break.

Again this was good for Florida corporations, but not the average citizen. Another Nation wide problem is the crisis in terms of health care and health insurance. It's becoming an unbearable cost burden for small businesses. Many small businesses have seen from 20 to 40 to 50 percent increases in their cost of health insurance. President Bush is aware of the problem and has proposed legislation to deal with it. Bush strongly agrees with "association health plans" (AHPs), which allows small businesses to pool together and spread their risk across a larger employee base, which in turn will lower health insurance premiums.

Not all lobbyists are out to please themselves. There are some whose only goal is to protect American citizens. For example if it was not for the group that argued for the Christian foundation of America we would not be able to enjoy the religious liberties we do. In doing research about this topic I found that Government Relations or Lobbyist are very helpful for big businesses. In the examples that I gave, the lobbyist made more money for the business with out taking into consideration the citizens that would be affected. It made me take a closer look at the Government Relations area where I work.

Fortis Health is actively involved in efforts to shape and steer public policy to benefit the future of the industry and its consumers. Government Relations has developed and responded to many of the critical issues affecting Fortis Health. This mission statement clearly states whom Fortis Health is looking out for. As an employee of Fortis, the Government Relations team is needed in order to make money for the company, but as a citizen it can cost me more money in the long run..