TEBA Hosts Chattanooga and Knoxville Business Roundtable, Presents Representative Dennis Powers with Champion of Business Award

On August 25, Chattanooga business leaders and employers joined TEBA at Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel for an enlightening roundtable discussion. Attendees heard directly from TEBA Chairman Michael Curcio, gaining valuable insight into proposed policies that will affect employers' rights. This event was part three of TEBA’s summer business roundtable series. 

We are grateful to Senator Bo Watson, Senator Todd Gardenhire, and Representative Michelle Reneau for attending our Chattanooga event. Their willingness to engage in open dialogue with the business community is essential. 

After a successful discussion in Chattanooga, TEBA headed to Knoxville for the final installment in the series. 

Chairman Michael Curcio addresses Knoxville Roundtable attendees

TEBA hosted Representative Dennis Powers, along with prominent business leaders, at UT Knoxville. Attendees highlighted employer concerns like increasing restrictions on self-funded benefit plans, an issue that remains contentious as the legislative session approaches. 

Representative Dennis Powers with TEBA Chairman Michael Curcio

At the event, Representative Powers received the Champion of Business Award in recognition of his commitment to employer choice and plan affordability and accessibility.  

“We have so many self-insured employers in my district. The priority is protecting their right to choose what works for their employees,” noted Representative Powers. 

His dedication to understanding employers’ perspectives underscores the need to amplify the voices of those most affected by legislation to the policymakers shaping it. 

During this summer’s roundtables, TEBA gathered employer stories, identified key concerns, and demonstrated how legislation affects real-world benefit plan management. The outcome was a stronger understanding of major policy proposals and better-informed decision makers - in both business and government. 

Employers raised some recurring themes during our discussions. Attendees stressed that employers' flexibility to design their own benefit packages is narrowing, in-house pharmacy options are being restricted, and plan affordability is at risk. They also called for ERISA stability to avoid unpredictable benefit mandates. This would allow for more reliable long-term planning and budgeting.  

TEBA remains committed to providing clear and accurate information on the real-world impacts of healthcare policy on employers. We are determined to ensure that employers’ rights are protected and that legislators have the information they need to make advised decisions. Lawmakers are already hearing from pharmacists and their special interests. They must also hear from employers like you.