NICO, Sans Hunter, Sets Out Future Program; Will Support Single Payer Health Insurance, Repeal Of McCarran-Ferguson, Natural Disaster Public Policy.

• Position: LOOKING BACK INSURANCE ADVOCATE - 25 YEARS AGO

By Insurance Advocate Correspondent

WASHINGTON, D.C. Support for single payer health insurance, repeal of the McCarran-Ferguson Act, natural disaster public policy and consumer life insurance issues are expected to be major issues under the new leadership of the National Insurance Consumer Organization.

Two prominent consumer advocates have agreed to direct NICO following the resignation of J. Robert Hunter, founder and president of the Alexandria-Va.-based organization. Mr. Hunter was sworn in as Texas Insurance Commissioner Nov. 1 (see Insurance Advocate, Oct. 16, page 5).

James Hunt, a NICO board member and former Vermont Insurance Commissioner, said he would assume a more active role at Alexandria, Va.-based NICO. A life insurance actuary, he is currently staff actuary for the Savings Bank Life Insurance Co. of Massachusetts, Wobum, Mass.

Mr. Hunt also announced that Kathleen O'Reilly of Washington, D.C., consumer advocate and former executive director of the Washington-based Consumer Federation of America, will assist the NICO board of directors during a transition period as counsel and policy director.

Former South Carolina Insurance Commissioner Howard B. Clark continues to serve as a NICO board member, Mr. Hunt said.

In a telephone interview, Ms. O'Reilly said two insurance issues will continue to be NICO "major public policy concerns--the debate on national health insurance and how to best address the financial aspects of natural catastrophes."

Both Mr. Hunt and Ms. O'Reilly said they support single payer health insurance legislation rather than the Clinton administration's managed competition proposal.

Repeal of the McCarran-Ferguson Act is "a high priority issue that never goes away," Ms. O'Reilly said. The Clinton plan for health care reform is one more reason to repeal the McCarran Act, she added.

Natural disasters are important to NICO. according to Ms. O'Reilly, who noted that the Florida moratorium on canceling homeowners' insurance policies or withdrawing from the market expires this month.

She cited other natural disasters, such as the Midwest floods and "now the fires in...