The Central Pennsylvania Association of Health Underwriters installed Julie Martin of Teaman-Martin & Associates in East Petersburg, Pa., as its president at what she calls a “critical” time.

Julie Martin

She was recently installed along with other members of the local health insurance group’s board for the 2009-2010 year.

Martin, an active member of the CPAHU since 2002, joined her father, Jack Teaman, in 1994 and became a partner in the firm in 2002.

“I am thrilled to be heading this organization at a time when our members are becoming more critical to employers and consumers,” Martin said in a statement.

Martin noted how important insurance agents and brokers are in delivering health care at a time when Congress and President Barack Obama debate health care reform and whether insurance agents and brokers will be involved in that system.

“Consumers now, more than ever, need our expertise in choosing the right plan,” Martin said. “What we do simply cannot be done by a website, a distant bureaucrat or government manual.  Our focus over the next year will be not only to demonstrate this value, but to enhance it.”

Gil Davis, the organization’s new media chairman and an employee of PDA Insurance Services, said CPAHU members are “on the front line of health care.”

He said the group will “push for the passage of sensible health care reforms such as refundable tax credits which will help insure more Americans. We will help improve and spread the word about important coverage such as long-term care insurance, and we will fight mandates and other onerous legislation that make health insurance more expensive for everyone.”

Other officers installed recently include Erica Grimm of Emerson, Reid & Co., immediate past president; Deb Wilkinson of URL Financial Group, secretary; Brad Barger of Emerson, Reid & Co., treasurer; Bev Cleland of Highmark Blue Shield, awards chairwoman; Don Nissley, also of Teaman-Martin & Associates, communications chairman; Amy Weyant of Broker Benefit Solutions, education chairwoman; Eric Beittel of Enders Insurance & Associates, legislative chairman; Rod Berger of Broker Benefit Solutions, membership chairman; and Megan Luther of Hartman Employee Benefits, membership retention chairwoman.

View a photo of the new CPAHU officers in our Photo Gallery.