![daves soda and pet city daves soda and pet city](https://s3-media4.fl.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/IoRdFlYJp_nvbp3DeTpTmg/o.jpg)
![daves soda and pet city daves soda and pet city](https://www.cascadiabeverages.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/imageService.jpg)
“We can’t support you as you support the undoing of the ACA,” read one customer’s review on the company’s Facebook page. The situation has put Ratner, who was invited to the White House to represent the National Retail Federation, at the direct center of the fierce debate over the future of U.S. Many analysts have viewed Trump’s actions Thursday and Friday as attempts to undermine the Affordable Care Act by destabilizing insurance markets and increasing premiums. That decision has drawn a lawsuit from 19 Democratic attorneys general, including Maura Healey of Massachusetts. The executive order also came just a day before the Trump administration announced on Friday a halt to critical subsidies paid to insurers, which help keep millions of low-income Americans covered under the Affordable Care Act. Charlie Baker’s communications director said the administration “has concerns regarding states’ abilities to hold insurance companies accountable when insurers are able to sell across state lines.” “Today’s executive order could return Americans back to the day where holding an insurance card did not guarantee quality, comprehensive health insurance coverage,” U.S. But politicians, including many in Massachusetts, have already condemned the executive order as a step toward undoing important Obama-era regulations by offering cheap, less comprehensive plans that don’t have to comply with the Affordable Care Act’s rigorous requirements. At issue is that those association health plans, according to the executive order, “will allow more small businesses to avoid many of the costly requirements.” Many fear those “costly requirements” mean the Affordable Care Act’s required benefits - things like preventive and obstetric care that, prior to the ACA’s passage, weren’t required parts of all health care plans.Įxactly which regulations those association health care plans would be exempt from is unclear, however, because the secretary of labor will now have to write those guidelines. Ratner said he has had to take on increasing health care costs for more than 150 employees.īut critics have taken issue with the executive order, which they say is designed to sabotage the Affordable Care Act. Ratner said that would “level the playing field for small businesses” like his, which competes against giants like Petco and Amazon. The executive order in question would, among other things, allow small businesses to join together as associations - like the Retailers Association of Massachusetts, for example - to either self-insure or buy large group health care plans across state lines. His business’s Facebook page was filled with vows to boycott his business. “I’m just sick,” the owner of the seven-store chain Dave’s Soda and Pet City said, describing the “email after email” he was receiving from customers and local residents angry about his appearance with Trump. On Friday, Ratner was receiving intense local blowback for that decision. For more information on the sport, visit - On Thursday, local business owner Dave Ratner was one of nearly two dozen people standing around President Donald Trump as he signed an executive order on health care. The DockDogs concept originated when men working on the docks waged bets with each other to see how far their dogs could jump in the water. In the past 18 months, more than 7,800 teams have signed on to compete in this booming sport. Each dog’s trainer throws a toy into the water, and the dog has 90 seconds to run down the dock and launch himself after it. The DockDogs will show off their jumping ability by diving into a four-foot-deep, 40-foot-long pool of water after sprinting down a 40-foot dock - both for length in the ‘Big Air’ category and for height in the ‘Extreme Vertical’ competition. Some of the nation’s top canine competitors will leap into thrill-packed action for the public. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, June 4 from 9 a.m. The event is slated for Friday, June 2 from noon to 5 p.m. AGAWAM - This weekend, DockDogs, one of America’s fastest-growing sports for dogs, is being held at Dave’s Soda and Pet City, 151 Springfield St., Agawam.