The Lubbock Chamber of Commerce issued a statement in support of President Donald Trump’s executive order on the issue of health care which Trump says it intended to increase competition and choice.
Trump’s critics have claimed it will reduce coverage in exchange for lower premiums. The critics have also said it will destabilize insurance markets.
The chamber sees it differently, saying, “The Lubbock Chamber of Commerce applauds President Donald Trump’s action today issuing an Executive Order that could potentially allow more affordability and flexibility for job creators who offer health insurance to their employees.”
The Lubbock Chamber also said, “We are especially encouraged that the order centers on allowing small businesses to band together and pool their purchasing power, much like the award-winning Lubbock Chamber Employer Health Plan established in 2006.”
The order also allows employers to pay for health reimbursement arrangements or HRA’s. And the order gives more flexibility for the purchase of short-term health care plans.
The Lubbock Chamber’s full statement made Thursday is copied below:
Chamber Applauds President’s Executive Order for More Affordability and Flexibility for Job Creators Who Offer Health Insurance
LUBBOCK, Texas – The Lubbock Chamber of Commerce applauds President Donald Trump’s action today issuing an Executive Order that could potentially allow more affordability and flexibility for job creators who offer health insurance to their employees. We are especially encouraged that the Order centers on allowing small businesses to band together and pool their purchasing power, much like the award-winning Lubbock Chamber Employer Health Plan established in 2006 that the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce has employed for its members in partnership with FirstCare Health Plans.
Although the Lubbock Chamber has long advocated effective health care reform and has been a nationally recognized leader in creating health care solutions for job creators, the Chamber opposed the Affordable Care Act as passed by Congress and signed by President Obama in 2010. We applaud the efforts since then of our Congressional delegation, including Congressman Jodey Arrington and Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz to address problems with Obamacare. We continue to believe that Obamacare as passed in 2010 is continuing to increase taxes, cost our community jobs, and pile billions on the deficit — all while significantly increasing the cost of health care plans and doing nothing to reduce the cost of health care.
The Chamber remains ultimately committed toward advocating for market-based changes and solutions that can reduce the number of uninsured and that are positive for our economy and jobs, such as the original Texas law that allowed for formation of the Lubbock Chamber Employer Health Plan.
As the largest business federation on the South Plains, the Lubbock Chamber will continue to fight on behalf of our business members and their employees, and advocate for reforms that actually increase access to health care and reduce costs.
The Lubbock Chamber of Commerce represents over 1,900 businesses and over 79,000 employees on the South Plains which accounts for over $2 billion in annual household earnings in Lubbock and West Texas. The Chamber has twice earned the distinguished 5-Star Accreditation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and is a two-time Chamber of the Year recognized by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives.
