|
LOBBYING REPORT |
Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (Section 5) - All Filers Are Required to Complete This Page
2. Address
Address1 | 228 Oakland Park Avenue |
Address2 |
|
City | Columbus |
State | OH |
Zip Code | 43214 |
Country | USA |
3. Principal place of business (if different than line 2)
City |
|
State |
|
Zip Code |
|
Country |
|
|
5. Senate ID# 401104840-12
|
||||||||
|
6. House ID# 440410001
|
TYPE OF REPORT | 8. Year | 2020 |
Q1 (1/1 - 3/31) | Q2 (4/1 - 6/30) | Q3 (7/1 - 9/30) | Q4 (10/1 - 12/31) |
9. Check if this filing amends a previously filed version of this report
10. Check if this is a Termination Report | Termination Date |
|
11. No Lobbying Issue Activity |
INCOME OR EXPENSES - YOU MUST complete either Line 12 or Line 13 | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
12. Lobbying | 13. Organizations | ||||||||
INCOME relating to lobbying activities for this reporting period was: | EXPENSE relating to lobbying activities for this reporting period were: | ||||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
|
||||||||
Provide a good faith estimate, rounded to the nearest $10,000, of all lobbying related income for the client (including all payments to the registrant by any other entity for lobbying activities on behalf of the client). | 14. REPORTING Check box to indicate expense accounting method. See instructions for description of options. | ||||||||
Method A.
Reporting amounts using LDA definitions only
Method B. Reporting amounts under section 6033(b)(8) of the Internal Revenue Code Method C. Reporting amounts under section 162(e) of the Internal Revenue Code |
Signature | Digitally Signed By: Carol Nolan Drake |
Date | 1/18/2021 2:01:45 PM |
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code BUD
16. Specific lobbying issues
Continued advocacy for inclusion of reauthorization language for Limited Wraparound Coverage for plan sponsors by Congress in the Appropriations bill for Labor, HHS, Education and Related Agencies, or through regulations promulgated by HHS/CMS, DOL and Treasury/IRS, for individual health insurance coverage. Wraparound coverage is a specialized offering targeted to help part-time workers and retirees whose employers or former employers meet standards of responsibility and have agreed to provide this supplemental coverage as an option.
Appropriation requests were submitted to House Committee on Appropriations members from Ohio to reauthorize Limited Wraparound Plans and the Senate offices. The final House appropriations report called on CMS to issue a report on Limited Wraparound Plans within 90 days.
Followed bills passed by Congress to aid Americans, state and local governments, small businesses and corporations impacted by the global pandemic. The bills had several provisions of interest for pension plans, state and local government, members and retirees. Language in the stimulus bill for state and local governments (which was not passed in December 2020) included language related to public pension liabilities and state/local spending.
Reviewed H.R. 133, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021" to review COVID-19 issues for public pension plans, members and retirees. The appropriations within the bill covered a large number of subject areas.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE, Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Health & Human Services - Dept of (HHS)
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Carol |
Nolan Drake |
|
Federal Liaison |
19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code FIN
16. Specific lobbying issues
Reviewed the bill related to the Financial Transaction Tax (FTT), H.R. 8695, the Protecting Retirement Savers and Everyday Investors Act. The bill would impose a limitation on taxation and fees on transactions by certain securities industry participants, and for other purposes. Also reviewed H.R. 2923, the Inclusive Prosperity Act of 2019, H.R. 1516, the Wall Street Tax Act of 2019," and S. 647, the companion Senate bill to the Wall Street Tax Act of 2019."
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Carol |
Nolan Drake |
|
Federal Liaison |
19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code HCR
16. Specific lobbying issues
Continued effort on addressing the impact on Employer Sponsored Group Plans (EGWPs) with respect to S. 2543, the Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act of 2019, and education on H.R. 3, which passed in the House, the Lower Drug Costs Now Act of 2019, in 2019. Education on the impact of changes to Medicare Part D for EGWP Plans with House and Senate members and the cost of the loss of rebates to plan sponsors. The rebate revenue was used to lower premiums for seniors.
Continued effort to seek cosponsors for Rep. Marcy Kaptur's (D-OH) bill, H.R. 4763, the Wraparound Health Coverage Protection Act of 2019, a bill to extend the limited wraparound coverage pilot program for an additional number of years (5), until December 31, 2024 and for other purposes. The bill would now need to reauthorize Limited Wraparound Plans due to the expiration of the pilot program in December 2019.
Contacted the offices of HHS and CMS, HHS Secretary Alex Azar and Administrator Seema Verma in response to the Presidents Executive Order entitled Lowering Prices for Patients by Eliminating Kickbacks to Middlemen. HHS was required to implement the Executive Order, however, the Secretary of HHS was given the opportunity to evaluate certain provisions prior to implementation. The final rebate rule was released at the end of December by HHS.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Health & Human Services - Dept of (HHS)
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Carol |
Nolan Drake |
|
Federal Liaison |
19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code RET
16. Specific lobbying issues
Continued effort to include a repeal or revised formula for the Windfall Elimination Provision for non-covered retirees. Monitored H.R. 860, the Social Security 2100 Act." The bill would provide an across-the-board benefit increase equivalent to about 2 percent of the average Social Security benefit amd make other substantial changes. The bill, introduced by Rep. John Larson (D-CT) did not move in the session. The identical Senate bill is S. 269, introduced by Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT). It did not move either.
Monitored S.521, the Social Security Fairness Act, was introduced by Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH). The bill would amend title II of the Social Security Act to repeal the Government pension offset and windfall elimination provisions.
H.R. 141, the companion bill, was introduced by Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL) the Social Security Fairness Act of 2019 and it now has over 200 bipartisan cosponsors, including several members of the Ohio delegation.
Rep. Richard Neal (D-MA), Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, introduced H.R. 397, the Rehabilitation for Multiemployer Pensions Act. It is important to distinguish private and public multiemployer pension plans. It amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to create a Pension Rehabilitation Trust Fund and to establish a Pension Rehabilitation Administration within the Department of the Treasury to make loans to multiemployer defined benefit plans.
Chairman Neal introduced H.R. 4540 in 2019 to address the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). Rep. Brady introduced his bill, H.R. 3934, at the end of July 2019 to address WEP. Monitored both bills and discussed the need for WEP reform with House and Senate Offices and Committee staff.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Carol |
Nolan Drake |
|
Federal Liaison |
19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code MMM
16. Specific lobbying issues
Continued discussions on Employer Group Waiver Plans (EGWPs) that were impacted by rules proposed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on the relation of Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) and the utilization of rebates and bills introduced in the House and Senate relating to Part D reform to lower the cost of prescription drugs. The final rule was issued at the end of December 2020.
Discussions on the potential impact of lowering prescription drugs in the various House and Senate bills and the way that EGWPs pass rebates on to lower premiums for retirees eligible for Medicare. The impact could result in higher premiums for retirees unless the negotiated drug prices are reduced significantly.
The proposed rule changes could increase retirees premiums by at least $45 per member/per month. Because the $20 million in rebates are directly applied to member benefits, the plan sponsor already protects enrollees from substantial out-of-pocket costs.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE, Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Health & Human Services - Dept of (HHS)
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Carol |
Nolan Drake |
|
Federal Liaison |
19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
Information Update Page - Complete ONLY where registration information has changed.
20. Client new address
Address |
|
||||||
City |
|
State |
|
Zip Code |
|
Country |
|
21. Client new principal place of business (if different than line 20)
City |
|
State |
|
Zip Code |
|
Country |
|
22. New General description of client’s business or activities
LOBBYIST UPDATE
23. Name of each previously reported individual who is no longer expected to act as a lobbyist for the client
|
|
||||||||
1 |
|
3 |
|
||||||
2 |
|
4 |
|
ISSUE UPDATE
24. General lobbying issue that no longer pertains
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS
25. Add the following affiliated organization(s)
Internet Address:
Name | Address |
Principal Place of Business (city and state or country) |
||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||
|
26. Name of each previously reported organization that is no longer affiliated with the registrant or client
1 | 2 | 3 |
FOREIGN ENTITIES
27. Add the following foreign entities:
Name | Address |
Principal place of business (city and state or country) |
Amount of contribution for lobbying activities | Ownership percentage in client | ||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||
|
% |
28. Name of each previously reported foreign entity that no longer owns, or controls, or is affiliated with the registrant, client or affiliated organization
1 | 3 | 5 |
2 | 4 | 6 |
CONVICTIONS DISCLOSURE
29. Have any of the lobbyists listed on this report been convicted in a Federal or State Court of an offense involving bribery,
extortion, embezzlement, an illegal kickback, tax evasion, fraud, a conflict of interest, making a false statement, perjury, or money laundering?
Lobbyist Name | Description of Offense(s) |