The Fort Worth Chamberletter

2013 Newcomer Guide

The Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce recently unveiled Livability: Fort Worth 2013, a print and digital magazine newcomers, tourists and relocating businesses. All member company main reps should have received a complimentary copy in the mail in mid-April.

The magazine highlights the city’s quality of life, business climate, attractions and must-do activities. Articles focus on the city’s evolving food scene, resident perspectives from the Mid-Cities region and how many military personnel at Fort Worth NASJRB choose to make their homes here permanently. Other articles focus on the city’s thriving business climate, evident in the expansion of companies, such as GE Transportation, Alcon and Ferris Manufacturing.

Photography captures lifestyles and landmarks around Fort Worth, including new ones such as the tribute to President John F. Kennedy in General Worth Square downtown. Content also highlights  quality of place amenities that attract families, such as high-quality health care, top-notch schools, ample outdoor recreation and spectator sports.

Find similar and additional info about Fort Worth on Livability.com, a national website with information about 500 of America’s best places to live and visit. The website includes articles and photo galleries, maps, videos and demographic information provided by Onboard Informatics.

For the digital version of the magazine, which is optimized for iPads, tablets and other mobile devices, visit http://www.livability.com/fort-worth/tx/magazine.

Journal Communications publishes Livability:Fort Worth, a multi-part marketing program which has support from the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce and targeted distribution through the chamber and area businesses.

To order additional copies for your customers or employees, go online to buy.fortworthchamber.com or contact Christine Gores at 817-338-3332. If you’d like to advertise in the 2014 magazine, contact Andra Bennett and she will forward your information to the publisher. Sales will begin on next year’s magazine in mid-June.

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Current political debate suggests voters will decide life or death on Nov. 6 for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). But Attorney John Quitman “Q” Stephens has a different diagnosis.

“The law will not be repealed and will phase in as scheduled,” said Stephens, a partner with the law firm of Gordon & Rees and a PPACA authority. “The debate of ‘for or against’ is like the debate about computers vs punch-card technology 40 years ago: It’s over. Make no mistake, this law is the future,” he said.

Within the business community, Stephens added, “the only debate now should be: How does this new reality affect my business, and how can I position my enterprise to profit from it?”

He and other experts will dissect health care reform and its impact, particularly on small businesses, during the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce’s fourth annual 2012 Health Care Summit Oct. 17 at the Cendera Center, register online.

The half-day event, presented by the Cantey Hanger law firm, will open with registration and breakfast at 7:30 a.m. and conclude by noon.

Programs will include Stephens’ look at PPACA-related compliance and strategic considerations. Mark V. Rountree, a partner with Ernst & Young and EY’s Southwest area director of Healthcare Tax Services, will examine PPACA’s most significant new taxes and reporting requirements and how they will impact health care providers and manufacturers, employers and individuals.

“The Supreme Court recently allowed the Affordable Care Act to stand as law on the basis that it contained ‘a tax’ to enforce the Act’s coverage mandate,” Rountree said. “Talk about an understatement.

“At last count, the Act contains at least 19 new taxes that will be levied – in various forms – on businesses and employers, large and small, health care providers, health insurance companies, medical device manufacturers and individuals in the next few years as the Act becomes fully implemented.

“Whether the intent of the various new taxes was to pay for the almost $1 trillion price tag of the Act or to incentivize certain behavior, like the individual mandate for health coverage, the new tax regime set forth in the Act is far-reaching and could have a material, negative impact on companies and individuals.”

A Summit panel of experts in the health care field, moderated by Chamber Chairman Whit Smith, will explore related issues.

Panelists will include W. Stephen Love, president and CEO of the DFW Hospital Council; Dr. Gary Floyd, past chair of the Texas Medical Association’s Council on Legislation; Kelly Fristoe, president of the Texas Association of Health Underwriters, and Seana George, president of the Texas Alliance for Patient Services.

Stephens, who predicted at last years’s Summit that the U.S. Supreme Court would uphold ACA as constitutional, finds a bright spot on the health care horizon.

“The law creates winners and losers,” he said, “and any business leader with foresight will embrace that reality and begin thinking conceptually and strategically about how to take advantage of the new landscape being created by this law.”

His presentation will focus on compliance “at a 101 level” and strategies.

Rountree urges the business community “to get fully educated about all of the new taxes set forth in the Act.

“Most of the new taxes in the Act go into effect starting in 2013,” he said. “So, identify which taxes apply to your organization. Calculate the potential cost of these new taxes on your business and employees.

“And be aware that in some cases, it may even be necessary to make difficult, cost/benefit decisions about what practices to continue or discontinue, including providing health insurance coverage to your employees, based on the added costs the Act’s various new taxes impose on the business community.”

The federal “Health Care Law and You” website.

http://www.healthcare.gov/law/index.html

More businesses are prepared for – if not enthused about — the impact of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), according to a survey of 1,990 Fort Worth Chamber member businesses that compared results to a benchmark survey from last year.

“Rising health care costs are an issue for all types and sizes of businesses we represent,” said Bill Thornton, president and CEO of the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce. “No matter what the outcome of the November elections, the time for wait-and-see has passed. The Chamber is helping to educate the business community about their health care options, connecting them with professional advisors so they can be prepared and in compliance.”

The legislation is being phased in with many taxes beginning in 2013, and going into full effect on Jan. 1, 2014.

A Health Care Benefits and Policy survey gathered information from the membership and helped prepare content for the Chamber’s 4^rd Annual Health Care Summit, presented by Cantey Hanger, October 17 at Cendera Center in Fort Worth.  The Summit will feature attorney Quitman “Q” Stephens, partner Gordon & Rees, and Mark Rountree, tax partner, Ernst and Young. They will explain the legal and tax ramifications of federal reform.

The informal survey was sent to small business owners, top-level executives and HR managers in the Chamber’s database, and 172 (about 9 percent of membership) completed the questionnaire. Almost 47 percent of respondents have fewer than 50 full-time employees, the threshold at which employer penalties kick in under PPACA if they do not provide insurance.

When asked how well they understood the PPACA, almost 55 percent said moderate to excellent, compared with 42 percent last year. However, 47 percent of respondents said they were still undecided as to what options they would take to prepare for its impact. Five percent said it would enable them to offer additional or better health care for their employees, while 19 percent indicated it would not impact their business at all.

From a policy perspective, the respondents favored repeal over implementation. Fifty percent said repeal was very important or critical; only 38 percent felt implementation was very important or critical.

Although 43 percent of respondents said their health insurance costs increased 6 to 15 percent over the past year, 65 percent said those increases have not impacted their ability to hire new employees or expand operations; however, almost 16 percent said it had impacted both.

On the state level, 70 percent of businesses said it was important or critical that Texas designs its own healthcare exchanges vs. allowing the federal government to do so. Thirty-two percent said standard health care regulation in all states to allow insurance companies to offer policies across state lines would best serve their business.

Wellness initiatives for employees were also explored, with more employers offering programs than last year. Forty-seven percent of employers offered a flex account for reimbursement of non-covered expenses, 29 percent offered weight-loss incentives, and 32 percent offered healthy snacks or nutrition education.

For complete survey results go to:

http://www.fortworthchamber.com/am-site/media/health-care-survey-summary-12.pdf

Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley

Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley will inaugurate an annual State of the County report to residents at a Nov. 17 luncheon at the downtown Omni Fort Worth Hotel.

Elected in 2006, Whitley will outline the county’s operations and involvement in a wide range of challenges affecting one of the United States’ fastest-growing counties where population has increased from about 860,000 in 1980 to around 1.8 million.

Home to 41 municipalities, Tarrant County has more towns and cities within its borders than any county in Texas. Whitley’s report will address regional collaboration and cooperation needed to improve quality of life on many fronts, including transportation, air quality and county services.

Presented by Tarrant Area Chambers of Commerce, the State of the County event originated with the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, which annually hosts the Fort Worth Mayor’s State of the City address.

Whitley shared some thoughts in advance in an e-interview with the Chamberletter.

Q: How would you summarize the state of Tarrant County?

A: Tarrant County is one of the fastest growing counties in the country. It is a great place to live and raise a family. Housing is affordable, jobs are available and the schools are good, so we have great opportunities here.

The Tarrant County government is financially strong and fiscally responsible. But, it is essential that we protect our superior quality of life.

Q: What are some of the most important differences in 21^st- century Tarrant County government than 20 or 30 years ago?

A: The greatest difference is in population growth and development in Tarrant County and its 41 cities.

Collaboration within the county and in the region has saved taxpayer dollars.  We have been able to meet the challenge of efficiently providing services to our citizens without raising taxes.  Our sub-courthouse system makes it easy for Tarrant County residents to conduct their business.  Our well-run courts and jail help to protect public safety and our county clerk provides easy access to information.

Q: What is Tarrant County’s most important role in addressing transportation needs?

A: We have some of the most congested roads in the state.  We need better ways to travel quickly across North Texas or we risk diminishing our quality of life and the economic vitality of our region.

Texas and the federal government have not fixed the transportation problem.  Locally, we can’t ignore it.  In May of 2006, for the first time, Tarrant County voters passed a bond measure with $200 million to help our cities build roads, $20 million of which is set aside to help fund roadway improvements and safety-related projects in connection with passenger rail. Passenger rail, street and highway improvements and working toward sustainable communities are the keys to unlocking gridlock.

Q: What are Tarrant County’s most important roles as a steward of local quality of life?

A: Tarrant County must keep pace with population increases. We are in the heart of the DFW Metroplex, the fourth largest urban area in the nation, and the region is expected to continue its dramatic growth. Demographers suggest we could have 2.2 million people living in the county within 20 years. It will take a big effort, and it will take regional collaboration and cooperation to improve transportation, air quality and provide the services our citizens expect us to provide.

The development of innovative initiatives like Tarrant Cares, the internet-based Network of Care that allows residents of our community to become aware of community services and programs available to them, is a great way to raise awareness about access to healthcare and to promote a healthy lifestyle. The popular website launched this March (www.Tarrant.tx.networkofcare.org ) already has about 1.6 million hits and is truly a 21^st-century idea. We are up to the challenge the future holds.

Q: Why is there more reason these days for residents to understand county government?

A: Our citizens need to know that county government works, and works for them. We are the front door for many government services that folks receive. They need to know and appreciate how county government affects their daily lives. Far too often, county efforts go unnoticed.

Counties are the record keepers of history. We build roads and operate courts, sheriff’s departments and jails. We protect the public health, provide some social services and run a county hospital with a network of clinics. Together, taxpayers and local governments share this responsibility.

Q: Describe “a day in the life” of a county judge in a county with such a large urban population.  How do you balance needs and what types of issues do you deal with?

A: Every day is different. Some mornings I start with a breakfast meeting. During the day, I often meet with constituents or officials and go to public meetings. I am into solving problems and creating opportunities, often working with Commissioners Court colleagues, other elected officials and Tarrant County department heads.

Some days I deal with The Workforce Board and job-creation issues. Other days I go to the Regional Transportation Council, where important transportation improvements are funded. I often attend evening events for different cities, chambers of commerce or local agencies and nonprofits. I do enjoy giving talks about the importance of county government and how efficient and effective it is. This has been an exciting and gratifying five years and it has been a real honor to serve as Tarrant County Judge.

Health care reform has injected uncertainties into the heart of the business world: What’s the tax impact? What will challenge budgets? What about insurance coverage for employees? Will Congress reform the reforms?

The Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce’s second annual Health Care Summit will deliver candid answers from leading experts involved in health care costs, delivery and politics.

Beginning with breakfast, the summit will be held 7:30-10:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 12, at Southwest Baptist Seminary. Experts will diagnose three areas:

* The state of healthcare from a medical perspective.

* Funding mechanisms and proposed taxes on business.

* How mid-term elections may affect historic health care legislation enacted this year.

Panelists include Dan Finch, Texas Medical Association director of Legislative Affairs; John M. Hawkins, senior vice president of government relations for the Texas Hospital Association; tax expert Mark Rountree of Ernst & Young, and Jeff Trinca, one of the founding vice presidents of Van Scoyoc Associates, the largest independent lobbying firm in Washington, D.C.

Trinca, an expert in tax administration, doubts that election results will lead to repeal of health care legislation.

“Congress is likely to pick around the edges,” he said. “I believe they will attempt to repeal small business and individual mandates and the penalties associated with them. They are likely to provide more flexibility and tax savings for things like health saving accounts and flexible spending arrangements.

“They will certainly make changes to the whole centralized command-and-control aspects of the new law – less standardization from Washington and possible more control by the states and business.”

Trinca encourages businesses to make sure they’re “telling their elected officials about the cost to comply and its effect on jobs.”

Rountree is closely watching one potentially problematic trend in the emerging new health care landscape.

“I’m concerned that certain aspects of the new law, particularly those that allow for the payment of excise taxes by businesses in lieu of providing medical coverage for employees and the payment of taxes on business that provide employees with ‘rich’ benefit plans, could result in (many) people being left with less coverage, less quality and less choice,” he said.

He urges small businesses to “immediately begin to model out the cost of the new reform bill, as well as the possible financial benefit of taking advantage of some of the choices provided by the new law (e.g., opting out of providing health coverage in exchange for paying an excise tax).”

Additionally, Rountree said, “small businesses should stay acutely attuned to how health insurance providers respond to the new reform bill, particularly when it comes to increases in premiums and limitations on coverage.”

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Van Scoyoc Associates, Washington, D.C.

Ernst & Young

Texas Medical Association

Texas Hospital Association

Debate over health care reform echoes across the United States, from the White House and Congress to the grass-roots level, as the private and public sectors seek solutions to skyrocketing costs, questionable quality and uninsured Americans.

Fresh light will be thrown on the situation Nov. 2 when the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce convenes the 2009 Health Care Summit at the Fort Worth Convention Center.

Local, state and national experts will explore proposed reforms’ potential impact, including how changes could affect industries, governments, small businesses and consumers. Elected officials statewide have been invited to attend.

Keynote speaker will be Travis E. Baugh, president and COO of Fort Worth-based Healthpoint, Ltd., known widely for its research, development and marketing of branded pharmaceuticals, over the counter drugs and medical devices for tissue management and surgical indications. Healthpoint, with 270 employees, is an affiliate of DFB Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Baugh’s career spans nearly 30 years as a global operations and financial executive in several industries, including medical devices, oil and gas services, industrial retail and international publishing, according to H. Paul Dorman, chairman and CEO of Fort Worth-based DFB Pharmaceuticals.

His expertise in the health care industry gained depth while CEO of MicroMed Cardiovascular, Inc., a medical device manufacturing company that developed the DeBakey miniaturized heart pump in collaboration with NASA and famed heart surgeon Dr. Michael DeBakey and his team at Baylor College of Medicine.

Other speakers will include John R. Graham of the San Francisco-based Pacific Research Institute, a non-profit, nonpartisan free-market advocate involved in public policy analysis and solutions development. Its Health Care Studies research center examines public policies’ effect on access to affordable, high-quality health care and advocates market-based solutions.

Dr. John C. Goodman, president and CEO of the Dallas-based National Center for Policy Analysis, which develops alternatives to government initiatives, will look at health care solutions within the private sector.

Tim Lee, a principal with Seattle-based independent actuarial consulting firm Milliman, Inc., will guide attendees through health care and health insurance issues for payers and providers.

The summit also will include perspective from CEOs of six local hospitals on how their budgets are affected by Medicare/Medicaid, emergency care for the uninsured, contracting with private insurance and other health-care forces.

Breakout sessions will include a physician’s view of health care reform by Dr. Susan Rudd Bailey of Fort Worth Allergy and Asthma Associates. Dr. Bailey is president-elect of the Texas Medical Association.

More Links

• National Coalition on Health Care.
• A federal government look at health care costs.