"This cannot be another passing moment in time"

Benefit counselors and colleagues and their partners are not foreigners to change. Years – OK, decades – now, disorders and uncertainty were the norm. So far, 2025 is no exception and, in many cases, things are really shaved to a new level. As Tracy Watts, the main partner and national leader of US health policy at Mercer say, “is a provocative moment, but when don’t you?”

To understand everything, I asked three industry experts their thoughts about the place where things are, where they could continue to go and what it means to you.

DC Delge

Each new administration is based on sweeping changes, including changing regulatory priorities, leadership changes to key agencies and potential changes in health care policy. So this time is it really different? Well, yes.

“Which makes this moment distinct is the pure scale of the transition – not only in the White House, but also in Congress,” says Jessica Brooks Woods, CEO of Nabip. “A new administration and a recently format legislative landscape means a new health care policy, although the specifics remain to be seen.

Jennifer Berman, an employee’s benefit lawyer, a consultant in accordance with the MZQ Consulting, is not alien to the interior works of the DC and agrees that the current environment is unprecedented in many ways and comes with a set of unique challenges. “We never know what will happen in our legislative and regulatory, but historically, things were much more predictable.

As the world accelerates and the pressures continue to grow, it strengthens even more the importance of what is in the game – and the real impact that all has on Americans from all over the country.

The tragedy highlights long -lasting problems

In addition to the regulatory chaos and political disorders, benefit counselors and others in the industry are facing another challenge: a trusted crisis.

“What differentiates this moment is the in -depth crisis of trust in our health care system – one that has now escalated beyond frustrations and political debates in deadly consequences,” says Brooks Woods. She notices that The tragic assassination of the United CEO Brian Thompson brought to the forefront the deep anger and the disillusionment of everyday Americans.

“This was not just a shocking event;

For years, many in the industry have warned a time when the frustration of Americans with the US health care system has been produced. Now that has happened, the question becomes, will it be a true catalyst for significant changes or, like the killing of George Floyd, another footnote forgotten in a long-term national tragedy?

“This cannot be another transient moment in time,” says Brooks Woods, “another title that fades without action.

Challenges and opportunities

At a crossroads and is facing an endless list of discouraging challenges, how can their counselors and partners really benefit?

“Stay alert and stay agile,” says Berman. “Focus -proactive on what is best for the plan participants.

Tracy Watts agrees to the importance of helping those who need the most: their employees and families. Her advice for counselors? Stay concentrated and do not be fooled by quick resolutions. True change will not come easily or quickly, but will require creativity and long -term commitment instead.

“The cost of health benefits per employee increased by 4.5% in 2024 and is predicted to grow by 5.8% In 2025, she says. What he does all the more is that Over half of the cfo Last year he said that, in order for the costs to be durable, the annual increases at the CPI level or below must be kept. Only 1 in 5 said that it grows two points over the CPI would be acceptable – and yet we are. In this environment, fast corrections will not make too much careful strategy for many years is probably the best way to optimal value for employees and business. “

While these challenges can become slightly overwhelming, Berman notes that there is another way to look at it – if you are willing to make time and effort.

“Every challenge is an opportunity.

It cites the recent executive order issued by the Trump administration on IVF access as a real -life case study of how counselors can guide their customers and employees. “We still do not know what this will mean for the plans sponsored by employers, but counselors who take each of these changes as an opportunity to be in front of their educated customers and partners with them will be able to show their true value.”

Real change requires time

Many counselors and other benefits professionals are passionate, dedicated and in the long term. And, while this moment is unprecedented and overwhelming, it is also important vital. The novelist Celeste NG offers this advice for difficult times: “It is easy to feel powerless – as if you cannot fight the wave.

Yes, the task of fixing American healthcare is huge, but it can be done. How?

“Although it certainly feels as if we were all in a state of flow, it is important to remember that real change requires time,” says Watts. “As consultants, brokers and sponsors, our voice must be heard in Washington DC, there are several great advocacy groups that will amplify our unified voice.

Woods Brooks sounds for this call to the benefit industry.

“It doesn’t just mean political debates or market forces,” she says. It is about restoring faith in an industry that millions of Americans are based, but they no longer trust. The question is not whether the change will happen – it is if we, as an industry, will be the ones who will lead it or resist.

“For benefit counselors, the answer is clear: we must rise and make sure that this moment leads to real changes.

The obstacles are discouraging, and the stakes were never greater; But this is the moment when our industry is built so long. Are you ready?