LRA hosts the 411 on Health Care Reform Series across Louisiana

Health care and the Affordable Care Act are the most important challenges facing the restaurant and hospitality industries right now. Louisiana Restaurant Association members are searching for answers and information as the requirements of the Affordable Care Act are still being determined.

Some changes are already underway, including a mandate due to take effect in early fall requiring employers to give employees notice about new government "Health Insurance Marketplaces," that are supposed to begin signing people up for 2014 health coverage starting this October.

The LRA will be heading to five Chapter areas with a panel of experts to share insight and information necessary in helping members understand what these changes will mean for their restaurant and business operations. The Presenting Sponsor of the sessions is BancorpSouth Insurance Services/Percy & Wright Insurance. UnitedHealthcare is also a sponsor of the sessions.

Monroe & NE Region
Monday, June 17, 9.-10:30 a.m.
Monroe Civic Center, Bayou Room
Co-hosted by: Monroe-West Monroe-CVB, Monroe Chamber of Commerce and Ruston Lincoln CVB.

Shreveport & Bossier City
Monday, June 17, 3-4:30 p.m.
Eldorado Casino Resort, Ballroom
Co-hosted by: Shreveport Bossier Tourist Commission, Bossier Chamber of Commerce and Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce.

Lafayette & Lake Charles area
Tuesday, June 18, 9-10:30 a.m.
City Club at River Ranch, Ballroom
Co-hosted by: Lake Charles-SW La CVB, Lafayette CVB and Jeff Davis Tourist Commission.

Baton Rouge
Tues., June 18, 2-3:30 p.m.
Hilton Capitol Center, Riverview B
Co-hosted by: Visit Baton Rouge

New Orleans, Northshore & Bayou
Wed., June 19, 10-11:30 a.m.
Crowne Plaza, Kenner, Salons 4-6
Co-hosted by: New Orleans CVB, Jefferson CVB and Greater New Orleans Hotel & Lodging Association.

Randy Spicer
VP of Health & Insurance
Services, NRA

The panelists for the sessions are: National Restaurant Association VP of Health and Insurance Services Randy Spicer, UnitedHealthcare's Senior Director of Strategic Growth Initiatives Kimberlee Vandervoorn and BancorpSouth Insurances Services/Percy & Wright Insurance VP Scott McKnight.

Kimberlee Vandervoorn
Sr. Dir. of Strategic Growth
Initiatives, UHC

Spicer is an insurance veteran and he brings an extensive background in health care and financial management, product development, underwriting and service integrations strategies within the insurance, Medicare and health care industries. He'll lead the sessions informing attendees about what the Affordable Care Act means, what it does, what you need to do and when you need to do it.

Scott McKnight, VP,
BancorpSouth Insurance
Services/Percy & Wright.

Vandervoorn leads UHC's partnership with the National Restaurant Association and the LRA and multiple other state restaurant and lodging associations. She works with the LRA to make health and wellness more affordable to Louisiana's hospitality industry and craft solutions to help business owners comply with the Affordable Care Act.

Finally, McKnight will provide answers to specific questions from attendees and be on hand following the session to speak directly with attendees on their needs regarding health coverage.

To RSVP, please contact Denise Schmidt at (504) 454-2277 or email healthcare@lra.org.