Affordable Care Act (ACA) vs. Medicaid Expansion

Culpeper Star Exponent

Business Monday

February 17, 2014

Jim Charapich

Affordable Care Act (ACA) vs. Medicaid Expansion. In some circles the two are one issue. In others, there is good reason to see them as separate issues. The ACA, as with many innovations, is certainly a disruption to the status quo. There is no doubt that Americans are seeing a shift in the way we access health care.

The impact of the 30 hour work week threshold has yet to be fully seen. In addition, the impact of access to affordable healthcare has the potential to disrupt the way that workers see employment. Businesses have had the luxury of retaining employees through the golden handcuffs of access to healthcare. Now, with the limits on exclusions due to preexisting conditions, employees may be less likely to stay in employment environments for the purpose of sustaining access to healthcare. Employers will need to reevaluate their compensation packages with these dynamics in mind. In addition, employers will likely need to plan for the unintended consequence of more turnover as the economy improves and unemployment numbers drop. In reconciling the impact of ACA with business operations, it is clear that business will need to adapt to the new law. Hoping for the law to be repealed seems to be a futile use of energy. It is time to learn, adapt, and move forward, while shaping the ACA Law for it's best outcome.

With regard to Medicaid Expansion, there are those that would stand and make statements about increases in their premiums as if they relate primarily to the Medicaid Expansion issue. The increase in premiums is the very reason Medicaid Expansion makes sense. Much of the premium increases are related to ACA Federal taxes imposed on Americans - Businesses and Individuals. In Virginia, we have seen some in the General Assembly call for delaying the Expansion of Medicaid in hopes of more research on reforming Medicaid. There is no doubt that Medicaid needs reform, and most agree that reform is necessary.

However, the real issue is that Virginians are paying the Federal ACA related taxes as of January 1, 2014. According to Lee Kirk, President of the Culpeper Regional Health System, Medicaid Expansion would bring $5,000,000 per day back into Virginia. The impact of not doing this to the Culpeper Regional Health System is approximately $2,000,000 this year. What will the impact of this drop in revenue have on the region? When tourists spend a dollar in Culpeper, an estimate is that the dollar circulates 5 times, meaning $1 equals $5. So what happens when $2,000,000 of revenue disappears? Even at a two times impact, would that be a $4,000,000 impact in our local economy? To put this in context, the ever growing Town budget is now around $15,000,000.

The Virginia Chamber and a significant number of chambers across the Commonwealth have called for support of Medicaid Expansion with concurrent reform in order to recover the $5,000,000 per day back to Virginians. What would this $5,000,000 be used for? Access to healthcare for the workers that cannot access healthcare through Medicaid currently. Some of these are the front line workers that serve us every day. These are the retail clerks, restaurant workers, and other direct labor professionals that are unable to afford preventative health coverage. Their option today relegates them to wait for crisis healthcare in an emergency room shifting the cost to the rest that pay for this in their current premiums.

The Chambers of Commerce and other Professional Business Organizations have requested the General Assembly move forward on Medicaid Expansion with concurrent reform. The need for action is now. The wait and see discussion is costing Virginia and our local economy every day. Will other States that have chosen to access Federal tax dollars to upgrade and improve their workforce through Medicaid Expansion have a strategic advantage over Virginia? Will this challenge our Commonwealth status as “The Best State to do Business”? If progress on this issue hinges on “trust in the Federal Government” then we have larger problems than this issue. Today, Virginia has an opportunity to upgrade our workforce by delivering a healthy, ready to go workforce for employers. It is time to bring Virginia dollars back to Virginia and put them to work in order to grow our economy. Our success in the global marketplace will depend on the quality of our workforce.

What's Coming Up at Your Culpeper Chamber of Commerce

Culpeper Star Exponent

Business Monday

February 10, 2014

Jim Charapich

What is new at the Chamber this month? The pace is picking up with several events and a lot of planning. I am reminded of how calm a duck looks almost gliding over the water at Mountain Run Lake while underneath the fish view would be the webbed feet moving with power and speed. We are in the process of revising our logo and I am tempted to use a duck as a logo for this very reason… However, there is no way that this would happen..

This Thursday February 13th is the Regional Professional Development Conference - a collaboration of the Chambers of Commerce in the Region, The Small Business Development Center, The Northern Piedmont Community Foundation, and four generous sponsors. The event will bring some of the latest in Digital Business Best Practices combined with the Renewed Ancient skill of Storytelling. There is nowhere on earth that these two arts will intersect better than right here in Culpeper at the Germanna’s Daniel Technology Center. There is something for every small business and non-profit organization. Take this day to network and upgrade your knowledge in a powerful way to set a more profitable course for 2014 and beyond.

Go to www.ProfessionalDevelopmentConference.com to register and follow the hash tag #ChamberPDC for the latest information via Twitter.

Next we are planning our “State of the Community” luncheon for March 7th held at Germanna’s Daniel Technology Center. The luncheon offers the business community an opportunity to hear from leaders for 2-5 minutes regarding the highlights of their area of influence in Culpeper. The roster changes from year to year with emphasis on areas of unique and emerging interest. Our hope is to provide the business community a snapshot of our community as a building block in growing their business.

Our roster so far this year is outstanding:  Town of Culpeper - Dewey Cashwell, Culpeper County - Steve Nixon, Culpeper Hospital - TBD, State Theatre - Rob Wilson, Culpeper County Public School - Dr. Johnson, Retail -  Kelsey Carlson, Hospitality - TBD, Major Industry - John Marshall - Bingham & Taylor, Northern Piedmont Community Foundation - Cole Johnson, Fire & Rescue - Anthony Clatterbuck, Young Professionals - Jon Krawchuk, Aging Together - Chris Miller, Culpeper Arts Council - Gary Close, & Workforce - Rod Gentry - Union First Market Bank - Piedmont Workforce Network. Go to www.CulpeperChamber.com to register. This is a perfect opportunity to bring associates from out of town that are interested in Culpeper to gain quick access to the latest in the community.

Stay tuned to all of the Chamber activities at www.CulpeperChamber.com and go to the Chamber Calendar for updates or to subscribe to the our reminders for updates.

Historic vote on May 6th, 2014 in the Town of Culpeper

Culpeper Star Exponent

Business Monday

February 3, 2014

Jim Charapich

Historic vote on May 6th, 2014 in the Town of Culpeper. We will no longer have May elections for the Culpeper Town Council. This is an Historic opportunity to take part in a May vote. Candidates are out getting signatures to be on the ballot for the final May election campaign. There are 4 at large seats up for election plus the Mayor. In all there are 5 seats up for election. Historically there is a low voter turnout for a May election at about 10%. In the future the Town Council elections will coincide with November elections in hopes of higher voter participation.

The Culpeper Chamber will host a Candidates Forum Breakfast on April 9th to meet the candidates and gain an understanding of their position on the issues. The Chamber is in the process of researching the issues in order to develop the best questions for the candidates. The focus of The Chamber questions will relate to our mission: To be the voice of the business community working to promote, build, and support the most effective climate for economic development.

 

Here are a few of the questions asked in the last candidates forum for the Board of Supervisors that may have relevance in the upcoming Town Council Elections:

1)  Economic Development: What new and innovative ideas do you have that haven’t been tried before and why will they work at this place in time and economic climate?

2) Economic Development: The Town and County have separately funded partial economic development agencies, one as a Department of Economic Development, and the other as a Department of Tourism with no publicly known measurements for accountability. What would you do to help create a comprehensive Town & County Economic Development strategy? How would you measure results?

Questions asked in the April 2012 Town Council Candidates Forum:

1) Taxes- Will you support the elimination of BPOL taxes considering that the Boundary Line Adjustment will produce more revenue, including through meals taxes?

2) Governance -  Considering that neighboring governing bodies have adopted ethics policies for elected officials, where do you stand on the ethics policy that the Town Council recently adopted and later retracted? What accountability standards can the taxpayer expect from you?

3) Economic Development How would you resolve blighted properties in light of foreclosure conditions and the need to preserve adjacent property values?  Would you support a property maintenance code?  Why or why not?

The Chamber is seeking input regarding the issues that are important for the upcoming May 6 election. What are the current issues?  

1) Taxes - BPOL is admittedly an unfair tax on the gross receipts of a business - will there finally be solutions proposed about this problem?

2) Taxes The Town budget has grown significantly over the past few years. Will this be an issue?

3) Economic Development The Town has set in motion the attractive relocation of the Museum, with a corresponding Town takeover of the Visitor Center operations -Is the Town run Depot Visitor Center the best ROI when there are an estimated 30,000 people traveling by Culpeper everyday on Route 29 with no Visitor Center on Route 29 to invite travelers into Town - Will this be an issue?

Please forward suggested issues to JimC@CulpeperChamber.com for the Chamber to consider for the April 9th 2014 Culpeper Candidates Town Council Forum. Plan to vote in the historic May 6th, 2014 Culpeper Town Council Elections.

Health Coverage Expansion and Virginia Dollars

Culpeper Star Exponent

Business Monday

Jim Charapich

January 27, 2014

I read with great interest an article written by former Virginia Lieutenant Governor, Bill Bolling published in the PilotOnline.com last week. He suggested five priorities for the General Assembly to achieve this session. I heard the Lieutenant Governor speak alongside of Senator Warner at the Leadership Summit in Richmond this past summer. His comments along with those of Senator Warner encouraged a departure from the polarity of party politics. His encouragement to find bipartisan ground to move our Commonwealth forward is evident again in his five priorities.

 

One of his comments makes the case simple and clear regarding Health Coverage Expansion. “I'm no fan of Obamacare, but it is the law and over the next 10 years Virginia families and businesses will be required to pay $26 billion to finance the Affordable Care Act. Medicaid expansion is the only way we can return any of this money to Virginia.”  January 22, 2014. Bill Bolling Former Lieutenant Governor Virginia.

http://hamptonroads.com/2014/01/bolling-five-items-legislature

According to a recent article by Lee Kirk, President & CEO of the Culpeper Regional Health System, “As of January 1, Virginia is losing $5 million per day in ACA imposed taxes, fees and provider cuts paid as ACA coverage expansion payments. If Virginia doesn't spend the money we have paid in, then other states participating in Medicaid Expansion will.” Mr. Kirk goes on to point out, “It is estimated that opting into ACA expanded health coverage would create an economic benefit of 30,000 plus jobs from 2014 to 2019 and $3.9 billion in positive economic impact for Virginia.”

Finally, Mr. Kirk summarizes the issue as follows: “It is imperative that Virginia Reform Medicaid and create health care access for Virginia working low income adults (“Bridge the Coverage Gap”) whose health care is paid for by businesses and individuals through “cost shifting.” These federal dollars are Virginia’s dollars. Our legislative delegation and The Medicaid Innovation and Reform Commission (MIRC) must hear from you, the business community, about this critical issue.”

The Culpeper Chamber of Commerce, other Chambers across Virginia, and the Virginia Chamber of Commerce support expanded health insurance coverage through the Affordable Care Act. For more information about the issue and for a list of our legislators go to www.CulpeperChamber.com - click on the link Health Coverage Expansion.

 

The Leadership Adventure of a Lifetime

Culpeper Star Exponent

 Business Monday

Jim Charapich

January 20, 2014

Registration is open for LEAD Culpeper 2014 - One of most interesting ways to engage with our community is through LEAD Culpeper 2014. Excellence in civic leadership and the social capital to move a community forward define ones leadership capacity. LEAD Culpeper will bring together a group of 20 select individuals through an application process. When selected, the group will work together to understand our community from many perspectives. There are no other programs like it in Culpeper. The program will begin in April 2014, and conclude with a trip to the General Assembly of Virginia in January of 2015.   

Why is this program so successful? The Alumni may be able to answer this by their prominent places in the community leadership. They range from Town Council and Board of Supervisors to Business Leaders at the executive level. Many Alumni were interested in leadership and did not know where the program would take them. There is no doubt that the program will open our community in new and exciting ways to the participants. In addition to learning more about Culpeper, participants gain the benefit of the network of others in their class of LEAD Culpeper. The Class of 2012 graduates have been recruited for leadership positions throughout Culpeper. Civic leadership is a quality that is valued in business for promotability. LEAD Culpeper 2014 is a way to accelerate access opportunities to some of the most influential components of the community.

The application process is easy;. Go to the www.LeadCulpeper.com - a Culpeper Chamber of Commerce website. There is a fee to cover the costs of food, transportation, and administration of the program. This financial investment and commitment of time will give you a competitive edge that could otherwise take years to achieve.

As a recent graduate of LEAD Virginia 2013, I can only confirm the importance of leadership development in a community. LEAD Virginia offered me an opportunity to see issues and successes in every region of the Commonwealth. It was the experience of a lifetime to learn firsthand about our great state. However, I discovered that the most precious assets in Virginia are not only our diverse economic and natural resources, but also the remarkable leadership in each community. Our diversity and character of individuals working together for progress is our most precious asset. Culpeper has its fair share of challenges and yet we are blessed in many ways. Join Lead Culpeper 2014 to understand our community in more depth so that we can sustain and expand our opportunities for prosperity through civic leadership. www.LeadCulpeper.com

 

Smart is Sexy!

Culpeper Star Exponent

Business Monday

Jim Charapich

January 13, 2014

Smart is sexy as they say. The Culpeper Chamber of Commerce, the Orange Chamber of Commerce, the Madison Chamber of Commerce, and the Fauquier Chamber of Commerce have opened registration for the 4th Annual Professional Development Conference scheduled for February 13th at Germanna’s Daniel Technology Center. If the quality of sponsors is an indication of the level of excitement then this is going to be a great event.

The conference is packed with some of the smartest subject matter experts. We have two keynote speakers this year. The first will kick off the conference with a blast of high tech know how for his presentation called SoLoMo. Ray Sidney-Smith will bring the latest in Social, Location, and Mobile technologies for business that even an adult can understand. This technology is here and our customers, consumers, and clients expect us to be savvy. This is an opportunity to sharpen what you do know. One of the most vulnerable blind spots in business is not knowing what you do not know. The convergence of Social, Location, and Mobile technologies enable dynamic opportunities for business. Clear your calendar and get ready to take your business to new screens.

 

 

 

The Mid-Day Keynote speaker is equally powerful and in perfect sync with the first speaker. We have invited Kim Weitkamp, world renowned story teller. It is not enough to know the in’s and out’s of technology. The world is interested in your story. Kim Weitkamp will inspire you to tell your organization’s story in powerful and unique ways.  I watched a few month’s ago as Ms. Weitkamp took a room of community leaders from a tired evening state-of-mind to emotional highs with her use of words and the art of storytelling. You will want as many of your associates as possible to join you to understand this unique skill.

In addition to the conference keynote speakers, we have invited subject matter experts to speak in sessions covering three tracks. The first track will focus on fundraising for Nonprofits. We have invited Kimbia - Fundraising Transformed to share their expertise about this critical subject for our nonprofits. In addition, we have invited The Foundation Center out of Washington DC to share the latest in grant seeking. Finally, we have assembled an all-star panel of fund raising experts that will share their insights. If you are a non-profit leader, a board member of a non-profit, or interested in networking with the best in local non-profits, this is the place to be.

The second track is for small business and yet is very applicable to nonprofits as well. We have invited the very knowledgeable Phyllis Katz, Attorney at Law, from the Richmond office of the mid-Atlantic firm Sands Anderson PC to share the latest insights in the ever evolving area of employment law. Chris Pearson, CPA at Yount, Hyde, & Barbour will lead a session on taking your business to the next level. Having spent time with Mr. Pearson recently on a trip to Richmond, I know that this a session will deliver.

Finally, The third track is focused on the latest in marketing. Small Business and Nonprofits will have access to the latest in marketing systems. Ray Sidney-Smith will lead another session and go in more depth on the mobile / social market. Two representatives from Constant Contact will lead sessions on supercharging your marketing with email and social media. K-Art & Design will offer key strategies in Branding Across Digital Platforms. Finally, Rev Builders will share expertise in search engine optimization.

Go to www.ProfessionalDevelopmentConference.com to register for the event. The fee is $75 and includes lunch and CEU’s from Germanna Community College. There is a $25 discount if you are a member of a local Chamber of Commerce. Contact your Chamber office for the coupon code to receive this savings at registration. In addition, if you are a Non-Profit affiliated with the Northern Piedmont Community Foundation - contact the NPCF office for a coupon code.

We offer a special thanks to our sponsors: Germanna Community College, The Small Business Development Center, Northern Piedmont Community Foundation, Culpeper Regional Health System, Culpeper Times, and Tyco Connectivity for their generous support.

A Challenge to All Community and Business Leaders

Culpeper Star Exponent

Business Monday

Jim Charapich

January 6, 2014

A challenge to All Community and Business Leaders -Do you want a stronger, smarter, and faster workforce? Will you lead the way this year for you and your employees by joining the  “Showing up is half the battle, a battle you can win” challenge?

Culpeper Regional Health System, Powell Wellness Center, and Germanna Community College join together to  provide an award winning service to the community “Drop It”, a program for everyone in the region including Madison County and Culpeper County. There a few changes this year that will make it even more interesting. Patrice Barklund, Health Educator at the Powell Wellness Center and the coordinator of Drop It! describes the program for this year:

“For the fifth year, The Culpeper Regional Health System, Powell Wellness Center, and Germanna Community College will sponsor “Drop It!”  a free weight loss and healthy living challenge for the entire community.  To participate in the challenge, participants must register in person at one of five locations over an eight day period; times vary for each location. Participants will also be able to register at our “Drop It!” kick-off events. The first event will be held in Madison on January 11 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Waverly Yowell Elementary School. The second event will be held here in Culpeper on Saturday, January 18th at the Daniel Technology Center at Germanna Community College from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm." 

"Over a twelve week period the community is invited to come to GCC Daniel Technology Center on Monday evenings from 6:00- 7:00 pm for free fitness and wellness classes. The final weigh outs will be completed during the week of April 13 to 19^th.  The grand prize winners will be announced at a press conference on May 8^th at the Powell Wellness Center."

"Our focus this year is participation. “Showing up is half the battle, a battle you can win”.  Participants who attend all fitness, health and screenings events will be entered into a raffle to win the grand participation prize of $1,000.00.  There is also a prize for the highest percent weight loss."

"Information about the Drop It! 2014 program, registration, liability waiver, and classes offered are listed on our website www.dropitchallenge.com."

"We are pleased that Culpeper Regional Hospital and Joe and Linda Daniel will donate a total of $50 for each pound lost towards a scholarship fund.  These scholarships are given to members of our community to study in the allied health and nursing programs in our region.  Recipients of the scholarships are required to “give back” to the community by working for CRH.  Drop It! 2014 is beneficial to our community by making residents healthier and providing educational opportunities to our current and future healthcare workers."

"We hope you will come join the challenge, support our community, and improve your health in 2014.”

Thank you to Joe and Linda Daniel, and the “Drop It!” Team, for their dedication to the health and vitality of our community. Our health system is a cornerstone in our quality of life. Business Leaders & Community Leaders, clear your calendars, and start your engines - “Drop It” is your chance to lead the way…