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AHA yesterday urged the Department of Labor not to finalize a proposed rule that would allow employers, including sole proprietors, to form association health plans based on geography or industry. “While we appreciate the Department of Labor’s efforts, we are concerned that this rule fails to protect against discriminatory insurance practices and could contribute to instability in the individual and small group market, ultimately decreasing access to affordable coverage,” wrote AHA Executive Vice President Tom Nickels. Given these concerns, AHA recommends that DOL “not finalize this proposed rule and instead work with stakeholders on ways to reduce costs and improve health plan choices for individuals and small businesses.”