American Trucking Associations members and a contingent of America’s Road Team Captains visited the White House for a conversation about issues affecting the trucking industry, including health care.

“Trucking is the backbone of the nation’s economy. We employ 1 in 16 people in the U.S. Driving a truck is the top job in 29 states,” said Chris Spear, ATA President and CEO. “Trucking moves 70% of the nation’s freight and 56% of GDP. To grow our economy, we need to take care of the people that move America forward.”

Health care reform was on the top of the list of issues that ATA brought to discuss with the president. The lobby said that truckers and their families require good, affordable health care to be safe and professional.

“The 7.3 million people who work in the trucking industry – of which 3.5 million are professional truck drivers – have a common thread – to be safe and dependable and that requires a healthy professional behind the wheel,” said Kevin Burch, ATA Chairman and president of Jet Express. “We are here to tell you, Mr. President, that the trucking industry will support you as you work towards solving America’s health care challenges. In addition, we look forward to working with you on improving our workplace, which is our highways.”

A number of member executives joined ATA Chairman Kevin Burch and America’s Road Team Captain Don Logan to deliver the message. ATA was also able to bring its Image Truck, Interstate One, and a trailer provided by Jet Express featuring the "Trucking Moves America Forward" imaging campaign, hauled by ATA’s Share the Road Truck.

“Truck drivers are in all 50 states – every single day. As a driver, we feel the weight of the numerous regulations placed on us, as well as our companies – and those that we serve,” said Logan, America’s Road Team Captain and a truck driver with FedEx Freight, from Eskridge, Kan. “We proudly stand with you in your effort to improve the current healthcare law, making it easier for us to make a living and serve America.”

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— Katy Tur (@KatyTurNBC) March 23, 2017