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ATA likes White House order to expand access to affordable health insurance through trade groups

Oct. 16, 2017
The American Trucking Associations praised President Donald Trump for signing an executive order allowing individuals to purchase health insurance through association health plans.

“After laying out the case for how tax reform benefits our industry, President Trump (said on October 12) 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 Chief Executive Officer Chris Spear. “By allowing people to pool together to purchase health insurance plans that are sponsored by larger associations and groups, the administration is helping to lower health care costs and improve access.”

Spear, along with ATA Chairman Kevin Burch, president of Jet Express Inc, Dayton OH; ATA member Harold Summerford Jr, chief executive officer of J&M Tank Lines Inc, Birmingham AL; and professional truck driver Danny Smith, Big G Express, Shelbyville TN represented the trucking industry at the October 12 White House signing ceremony.

 “Most trucking companies are small businesses, with nine in ten carriers having fewer than six trucks,” Spear said. “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.”

 “One of the primary things I’m responsible for as a fleet executive is the welfare of my employees,” Burch said. “Today’s announcement will make it easier for employers across the country to provide good, affordable health plans to their employees and that is a good thing.”

Summerford said: “The trucking industry is a path to a middle class salary and benefits like health insurance. This announcement will make it easier to provide insurance to my drivers and for millions of other Americans.”

 “Being a safe, professional truck driver has not only been a tremendous career for me, it has allowed me to see the country and to provide for my family, including providing health insurance,” Smith said. “Reducing the cost of that insurance is very important so I’m happy President Trump is taking steps to do that.”