ATA Supports White House on Association Health Plans, Yet Poor May Suffer
The American Trucking Associations praised President Trump for signing an executive order allowing individuals to purchase health insurance through association health plans, despite reports that people leaving near or below the poverty line may suffer.
“After laying out the case for how tax reform benefits our industry, today President Trump is taking substantive action to improve the lives of millions of Americans, including the 7.5 million employed in trucking-related jobs,” said ATA President and CEO Chris Spear. “By allowing people to pool together to purchase health plans that are sponsored by larger associations and groups, the administration is helping to lower health care costs and improve access.”
Here’s the rub: Economists and insurance experts also point out that associations could form groups comprised of relatively younger, healthier workers. Thus, premiums might be lower for those particular groups.
At the same time, insurers could compel those who are less healthy or young to pay higher premiums or even deny coverage for preexisting conditions. Not good for many Americans.
So, the issue is far from resolved.
Spear, along with ATA Chairman Kevin Burch, president of Jet Express Inc., Dayton, Ohio; ATA member Harold Summerford Jr., CEO of J&M Tank Lines Inc., Birmingham, Alabama; and professional truck driver Danny Smith, Big G Express, Shelbyville, Tennessee, represented the trucking industry at a recent White House signing ceremony.
“Most trucking companies are small businesses, with nine in ten carriers having fewer than six trucks. The types of plans the President announced today will allow those companies to pool resources and offer affordable health care options that meet the needs of their employees,” Spear said.
Category: General Update, News
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