NU Online News Service, March 5, 1:40 p.m.EST

WASHINGTON--Healthcare reform, taxes and insuranceregulations topped the list of issues during the first six monthsof the fiscal year for the Independent Insurance Agents &Brokers of America, as the association works to raise the profileof independent agents and brokers, the association's chairman saidhere today.

Addressing the IIABA's Legislative Conference and Convention,association chairman J. David Daniel said that during the firsthalf of the year the IIABA has battled on a number of issuesaffecting the sales and business of producers.

On the healthcare debate, the IIABA has fought to keep itsmembers in the sales distribution process.

"The healthcare debate has been contentious and veryunpredictable," he said, adding that it will difficult to predictthe final outcome, but assuring agents the IIABA will be there forits members.

The regulatory battleground needs uniformity and modernization,he noted, but compared to the effectiveness of the federalgovernment over the banking industry, and the success of statesover insurance, state regulation has proven to be "more effectivein its primary functions."

Mr. Daniel said that with the current economic crisis, now isnot the time to "radically alter an insurance system that works,"adding that insurance regulation is very different from banking.Regional and state differences require diverse approaches. He said,"looking at its track record, Washington, D.C., is not the epitomeof effective regulation."

The association will continue to push reforms, such as agentlicensing reciprocity, natural catastrophe reform and other areasof concern, he said.

Having influence in Washington, he noted that the association isregarded as one of the most affective, and that its "twelfth man,"the independent agents, is a powerful voice.

With its political action committee, InsurPac, reaching $1million in contributions this year, the influence of independentagents has been strengthened, he observed.

The association is seeking to help agents with their business ofdeveloping a Consumer Agent Portal, Mr. Daniel said, to giveagent's a greater presence selling over the Internet and a vehicleto compete against direct writers in the personal lines arena.

While consumers are seeking information online, they still wantan agent to help with the final choice, he said. The portal's aimwill be to drive traffic to agencies and more details about it willbe coming out in the future.

Branding continues to be important, and Mr. Daniels called onagents and companies to support Trusted Choice to help promote theindependent agency brand.

"We have a great story to tell about what we do for ourcustomers," he said. "We are their trusted service advisors." Henoted that the board of directors is in discussion to find moreways of further promoting the brand.

In conclusion, he said optimistically, "The Big "I" is workinghard to insure that independent agents and brokers can and will notjust survive, but thrive. So let the second half begin. Let's takethe independent agency system to new heights."