Dr. Rand Paul Applauds President Trump for Moving to Grant More Americans Access to Affordable Health Insurance

Press Release

Today, U.S. Senator and physician Rand Paul joined President Trump at the White House for the signing of an executive order paving the way for expanded access to Association Health Plans, which would increase competition and allow more Americans to join in groups to purchase lower-cost health insurance across state lines.

Dr. Paul proposed the idea to the President earlier this year and has worked with the White House and various agencies regarding the action.

"Today's action is one of the most significant free market health care reforms in a generation and is a rare move by Washington to reduce government interference and provide more affordable health care options to everyday Americans. I applaud President Trump for following through on this action, which I have been working on with him for several months," said Dr. Paul.

In addition to his work on the federal level to support expanding Association Health Plans, Dr. Paul has extensively traveled Kentucky to meet with business owners and employees regarding his proposal.

He also held a press conference in Louisville in July with representatives from Kentucky organizations, whose over 1 million members, employees, and family members could benefit from changes to existing regulations.

Following that event, Robin Goracke, Director of Health Care Policy at the National Restaurant Association, stated, "Association Health Plans will broaden health care access and lower overall costs of employer-sponsored health insurance. This important next step in health care reform allows small, independent restaurants to pool together across state lines through their membership in a trade or professional association like the National Restaurant Association, to purchase health coverage for their employees and their families."

Ultimately, over 35 million Americans could benefit from expanding access to group insurance.

President Trump's executive order directs the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the Secretary of the Treasury to consider proposing regulations or revising guidance expanding access to Association Health Plans, short-term limited duration insurance, and Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs) under existing law.

The Secretary of Health and Human Services would report back to the President on existing federal and state regulations, policies, and laws limiting Americans' health care options, along with changes state governments and Washington can implement to deliver increased choice to the American people.

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