; and advocate for employers with insurers in developing proposals, renewals, and for service issues throughout the year. (3) In order to meet these responsibilities, licensed independent insurance producers are required to complete continuing education on an ongoing basis in order to maintain appropriate licenses. This requirement to maintain educational standards helps assure the insured public that producers remain current with the ever-evolving insurance market. (4) It is essential that licensed independent insurance producers continue to perform these duties, and others, as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act has made significant changes to the regulatory environment for health plans. To understand these changes, employers and consumers will need professional guidance even more in the future. This service is especially important for small businesses, as such producers often fill the role of a human resources department as well as professional consultant. (5) The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), whose core mission is to protect consumers in all aspects of the business of insurance, strongly advocates for the continuing role of licensed independent insurance producers in health insurance, and has expressed that the ability of insurance agents and brokers to continue assisting health insurance consumers at a time of rapid insurance market changes is more essential than ever. On November 22, 2011, the NAIC adopted a resolution stating that Congress should expeditiously consider legislation amending the MLR provisions of the PPACA in order to preserve consumer access to agents and brokers . (6) It is critical that the indispensable role played by licensed independent insurance producers is recognized and protected. 3. Protecting the ability of licensed independent insurance producers to continue to serve the public (a) In general Section 2718 of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 300gg–18 ), as inserted by section 1001 and amended by section 10101(f) of the Patient