Joel Wood
Wood provides Capitol Hill commentary in the Leader's Edge political column. Recognized by The Hill as one of the top trade lobbyists in Washington, Wood has more than 25 years of experience in Washington. He has served as The Council's senior vice president of government affairs since 1993. Wood and his wife Dana are the founders of the Foundation to Eradicate Duchenne, a 501c3 organization to speed a treatment for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, the world’s most lethal childhood genetic disease.
Industry
Cloudy…with a Chance of Optimism
Blue Dogs to bipartisanship to herbal tea—The Council’s government affairs t...
January 22, 2019
Industry
Making Sense of Something
Crazed Washington will keep us both jumping in 2018.
January 24, 2018
Industry
Underneath the Rubble
A conventional-wisdom look at healthcare and taxes under the new Republican orde...
November 28, 2016
Industry
An e-Merican Exchange
In a tenacious, three-day debate, Council lobbyists Joel Wood and Joel Kopperud ...
October 6, 2016
Industry
It’s Better Than Crack
Not much of an endorsement though—especially when Congress isn’t moving and ...
July 27, 2015
Health+Benefits
The Affordable Care Act’s High Stakes: Counterpoint
The Supreme Court might do what Congress could not - bring the president to the ...
April 1, 2015
Industry
Simplifying Your Life, Not So Simple
Fighting for NARAB is finally over. Easing interstate broker licensing is near.
January 22, 2015
P&C
Crashing Waves
The wave of Republicans elected in November won’t necessarily save TRIA.
December 1, 2014
Industry
The Great Divide
November’s elections don’t promise to bridge Washington’s fissures, but th...
September 28, 2014
Industry
100% of Nothing or 90% of Something
There is growing tension between anti-government conservatives and pro-business ...
July 17, 2014
Industry
Collision Course
Fall’s elections could lead to a grand bargain. But will we like it?
April 25, 2014
Health+Benefits
Irrational Exuberance? Not!
No grand bargain in the offing for healthcare reform. Even if Republicans take t...
March 1, 2014
Industry
Wham! Bam! Thank You…
Commissioner Tom Leonardi entertains us, painting a messy picture of the NAIC’...
January 28, 2014
Health+Benefits
Angry Exchange
Is Obamacare inherently inept because it doesn’t work on a profit motive?
November 25, 2013
Industry
A Trial for TRIA
The path to extending the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act goes through Rep. Jeb Hen...
October 30, 2013
Industry
Up for the Challenge
We’ve had a lot of success defending the brokerage industry over the last cent...
September 30, 2013
Health+Benefits
Alternative Medicine
Obamacare rollout may be chaotic, but the only alternative conservatives offer i...
September 1, 2013
Lifestyle
Jon Tester: A “Non” in a Chamber of Partisans
Senator Tester has earned respect from both sides of the aisle because he gives ...
September 1, 2013
Health+Benefits
Death from Taxes
A budget deal might roll back the employer health benefits tax exclusion and rin...
July 15, 2013
Lifestyle
Playing Ball on Capitol Hill
As Herschel Walker came off the field, I heard the words I’ll remember for a l...
May 22, 2013
Health+Benefits
Delayed Consequences
The transition to Obamacare will be a mess. The political consequences are to be...
May 22, 2013
Industry
The Check Creates the Balance
Speaker Boehner may be our last check to balance the White House.
March 12, 2013
Industry
Obama 2.0—An Insider’s Perspective
What another term for the Obama Administration means to brokers.
January 29, 2013
Industry
Follow the Vote
Political contributions follow the vote, not the other way around.
January 29, 2013
Health+Benefits
Pathetic Substitute
The MLR is a perverse disincentive for plans to reduce their costs.
December 12, 2012
Industry
The Odd Couple
The House Financial Services Committee leadership will change this year. While t...
November 11, 2012
Health+Benefits
A Fork in the Road
Which pothole-laden path to the white house and capitol hill is best for broker...
October 11, 2012
Health+Benefits
Gridlock & Gridluck
Despite gridlock on Capitol Hill, there is some good news for brokers.
September 11, 2012
Brokerage Ops
Chapter 1
Sooner or later the political parties are going to have to work together to cons...
August 11, 2012
Industry
Out of the Blue
Blue Dog Democrats—strong supporters of our cause—have almost disappeared.
June 11, 2012
Health+Benefits
To Be or Not to Be
Kill it all or don’t kill it at all? That is the question. There’s no such t...
May 12, 2012
Health+Benefits
Whitewash
Tom Sawyer persuaded his friends to whitewash his fence. Barack Obama has done t...
April 11, 2012
Health+Benefits
Foot Dragging
Insurance exchanges are halfway houses on the road to the hell of government-run...
March 11, 2012
Industry
The New Normal
Congress is underperforming to a new low. And with an election looming, don’t ...
February 11, 2012
P&C
Lovely Thought
Nobody’s buying the idea that Congress will compromise on anything, but someho...
November 1, 2011
Industry
Halfway House
Imagine 2013: The House succeeds in partially repealing Obamacare, and only the ...
October 1, 2011
Industry
Truth & Consequences
Debt ceiling legislation and the tattered economy will play havoc on healthcare ...
September 1, 2011
Health+Benefits
The Big Lie
The new state health insurance exchanges will raise government costs, but federa...
July 1, 2011