Texas Association of Health Underwriters (TAHU)

Press Releases

January 12, 2010
Legislators and TAHU to Host a Children’s Medicaid Application Drive in Tarrant County
Texas Association of Health Underwriters Hosts Children’s Medicaid Drive for Local Families

January 8, 2010
Texas Insurance Agents Focus on the Future for 16th Annual Day at the Capitol
Texas Association of Health Underwriters Hosts Legislative Day in Austin

September 14, 2009
Still No Need for Government Run Plan but Texas Insurance Agents See Signs of Hope for Future
Texas Association of Health Underwriters Notes Changes in President Obama’s Address to Congress

August 31, 2009
Texas Insurance Experts Stand Against Government Run Healthcare Option
Texas Association of Health Underwriters States Recommendation on Healthcare Reform Proposal

July 1, 2009
TAHU Takes on New Leadership During Vital Time in Health Insurance Industry
Texas Association of Health Underwriters Elects Rusty Rice, Louanne Trebing, Joanna Antongiovanni and Travis Middleton

May 13, 2009
Texas Association of Health Underwriters Takes a Stand Against HB 2750
TAHU says House Bill 2750 Imposes Restrictions on Health Insurance

May 5, 2009
Texas Association of Health Underwriters Awards Highest Honor to Austin Agent
Linda New Wins Hollis Roberson Award for Excellence in Service

April 30, 2009
Texas Association of Health Underwriters to Host 21st Annual Convention
TAHU Agents Meet to Discuss Future of U.S. Healthcare

April 22, 2009
Texas Association of Health Underwriters Vigilant in Times of High Number of Uninsured
TAHU Working to Alleviate Pressures for Uninsured Texans

April 14, 2009
National Association of Health Underwriters Hosts 2009 Capitol Conference
Texas Chapter Voices Opinions of Independent State Insurance Agents

March 9, 2009
Texas Association of Health Underwriters Lobbies for Consumer Advocacy
Agents Gather to Discuss Health Insurance Issues With Legislators

July 29, 2008
New Leadership Brings Over 50 Years of Industry Experience to Texas Association of Health Underwriters
Ron Buffum, Rusty Rice and Kelly Fristoe Elected to Lead 2008-2009 Membership Year

July 21, 2008
Texas Association of Health Underwriters Members Recognized at National Association of Health Underwriters Convention
Texas Chapters, Members Honored for Outstanding Service during 2007-08

April 2, 2008
Texas Association of Health Underwriters to Hold 20th Annual Convention
TAHU Convention Aims to Educate Consumers on Healthcare Issues

March 26, 2008
And you think a Single Payer System is good?
Socializing healthcare in Texas

March 6, 2008
The Apolitical Truth to Proposed Democratic Candidate’s Plan in the Wake of the Texas Primary
OpEd by Mark Bellman, Texas Association of Health Underwriters

February 20, 2008
Texas Association of Health Underwriters Launches Advocacy Initiative
TAHU Touts Objectivity and Information in Operation ‘Health Advocacy’

Executive Biographies

Russell L. (Rusty) Rice, TAHU President
Rusty entered the insurance industry after an 11 year career with H.E.B. Grocery Company. He started his insurance career in 1993 as a Medicare HMO sales representative for Secure Horizons, a PacifiCare Company in San Antonio, TX. In 1995 he was given an opportunity to develop and implement a HMO vision plan for Eye Care Centers of America... Download PDF

C. Louanne Trebing, RHU, TAHU President Elect
Louanne, currently a resident of Garland, Texas, began her career in the insurance industry in 1978, with Republic National Life in Dallas, Texas. She was employed by several different insurance agencies before deciding to go into business as an independent agent in 1989 when she founded Trebing Insurance Services...Download PDF

Kelly Fristoe, TAHU Treasurer
Kelly Fristoe, LUTCF has been a producing agent in the insurance industry since holding his first position in 1989 in Lubbock, Texas. Currently, Kelly is an independent agent and founder of Financial Partners in Wichita Falls. In 1996, Kelly joined the National Association of Health Underwriters... Download PDF

Travis S. Middleton, Jr., TAHU Secretary
Travis S. Middleton, Jr. entered the insurance business in September of 1977 with Prudential Insurance Company. In his first year with Prudential, Travis qualified to be in the Young Lions Club, a designation for first year top producers and for Prudential's Regional Business conference as one of the top producers of the year... Download PDF

TAHU at a Glance

TAHU is a state member of the National Association Of Health Underwriters (NAHU). We are a professional organization of agents and insurance company representatives who care enough about their clients to join together with a Mission Statement "...to inform and protect the consumer by enhancing the professional growth of its members." NAHU represents nearly 20,000 professional health insurance agents and brokers who service the insurance needs of millions of Americans. Founded in 1930, there are now 200 state and local chapters in the United States... Download PDF

Story Leads

The Launch of Operation: Consumer Advocacy.

For the first time in the 20 year existence of the Texas Association of Health Underwriters, the organization is embarking on a yearlong advocacy initiative designed to objectively and apolitically inform consumers regarding the ramifications of private vs. state sponsored health insurance programs. The article/feature would discuss the overall pros and cons of each system, what areas need improvement most and how each will affect both consumers and businesses throughout Texas and United States.