What Does Health Care Reform Have to do with IAAPA Attractions Expo?

As you're probably aware, the U.S. Congress is currently considering legislation that would drastically reform the health care system in the United States and has the potential to dramatically impact the attractions industry in the U.S.

Currently there are four different health care bills and each addresses the situation differently, but in none of them does there appear to be any recognition of the unique challenges in providing health insurance to seasonal workers. Senator Kay Hagan (D-NC) successfully amended one of the proposals (the bill passed by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee) to exempt a small number of seasonal businesses. IAAPA is leading a small coalition of like-minded groups that seek to expand this amendment to cover seasonal businesses in the attractions and other seasonal industries.

We have met, and will continue to meet, with key senators who are shaping the health care bill to educate them about seasonal workers. During these meetings, a few questions have been raised about the size and composition of the work force in the attractions industry.

To provide the U.S. Congress with the most accurate information available, we are asking IAAPA members to voluntarily share their employment information.

If you complete our brief survey about the size and makeup of your work force, you will be entered into a drawing to win one free admission to IAAPA Attractions Expo 2009 in Las Vegas, one free night of hotel accommodations at New York, New York, two tickets to see Blue Man Group perform live, and two tickets to the exciting Opening Reception at IAAPA Attractions Expo.

The drawing will be held Monday, Aug. 24, so make sure you complete the survey before then!

We realize the sensitivity of this information and will only share it with a select group of individuals as it pertains to this health care issue. You may even take the survey anonymously if you do not want to enter the drawing. Even if you enter the drawing, we will never identify your company by name, unless you give us permission otherwise. This information will help us greatly in our lobbying efforts to craft an exemption for part-time and seasonal workers.

In the coming weeks you will see more from IAAPA concerning the health care debate. If you have any questions about this information, health care legislation or government relations activities in general, please don't hesitate to contact us at gr@IAAPA.org or +1 703/836.4800.