NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Rich and Leslie Baudry, owners of Baudry Therapy Center ’ BRIO in Metairie, were shaking hands with President Donald Trump in the White House during the signing ceremony for an executive order entitled “Promoting Health Care Choice and Competition Across the United States.”
Before President Trump signed the executive order on Oct. 12, that facilitates the purchase of insurance across state lines, expands access to association health plans, expands the availability of short-term, limited duration insurance and the availability and permitted use of health reimbursement arrangements, he said, “Rich and Leslie Baudry.. They are here today from Louisiana, a great state.. They are small business owners and they know personally the benefits of association health plans, one of which used to provide health insurance for their employees. But after Obamacare they were unable to afford their association plan. So they had a great thing, their employees were happy, and then it ended.. People had plans that worked, and then all of a sudden they were just totally cut off. It happened to your company also.
“Rich and Leslie have said they would love, once again, to use an association health plan, and there are millions of Americans who want more affordable options just like them. And now, with this executive order, Americans will likely soon have those options. We will be very happy to provide them to you. And you will be happy, Rich. I think you are going to be extremely pleased.”
The Baudrys, who were invited to Washington, D.C. to attend the signing of the executive order for the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI) Health Care Plan, said they strive to treat their employees as well as they serve their clients who seek rehabilitation at Baudry Therapy Center, their fully integrated physical therapy and wellness center, and BRIO, their on-site, state-of-the-art fitness and performance training facility. With more than 20 employees working at their small business, located at 2620 Metairie Lawn Dr., the Baudrys said they felt the burn when the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was passed in 2010. It’s when they said insurance premiums for both their business and patients increased and health care options decreased.
The Baudrys opened Baudry Therapy Center in 2008, and for the last nine years they have worked to develop a culture of health.
Susan Ellender, the Baudry’s health insurance agent and VP of Associated Benefits Consulting, put them in contact with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and they have stumped for years advocating strategies to keep premiums down while simultaneously improving choices for employers and employees and extolling the virtues of businesses promoting healthy habits every day.
“If we are proactive, develop healthier habits and live healthier lives, we will cut many of the major health care expenses, especially those associated with preventable diseases,” said Rich Baudry. “If we all do our part to live healthier, our robust health care system will be well equipped to effectively take care of the uncontrollable illnesses that many people suffer.”
“We were with a group of small business owners invited to be present for the signing,” said Baudry. “The story of our own health care experience and frustrations were discussed with representatives of the White House team. During the event, we met several senators, representatives and cabinet members working on this project to improve our health care system. It was great to speak with them, other business owners and see how so many are involved in developing a better plan. It will truly take a bipartisan effort to take the best aspects of ACA and add some positives. Acting as both a consumer and provider, we have a unique view of the concerns from both sides. Hopefully, with good communication and collaboration, we can develop a health care system that will be the best in the world again.”
“It was exciting to visit the West Wing of the White House,” said Baudry. “This is where so many of our country’s historical events take place, and where democracy truly takes place. It was a great feeling to be part of something so important.”
Baudry, the founder and CEO of Baudry Therapy Center ’ BRIO, said President Trump’s executive order calls on Congress to collaborate on the details of specific health care changes that would improve the system, and he and his wife Leslie, the company’s COO, are hopeful the changes will provide small businesses and their employees more options, as well as a reward for healthy living.
“We hope to truly change the culture of health care to one of proactive education, healthy habit building and self-responsibility for all Americans,” said Baudry. “If we all take responsibility for doing the little things that we can control, our country will be better equipped to take care of the uncontrollable illnesses and diseases that Americans face.”
“We believe that introducing and reinforcing a culture of action and self-responsibility will reduce health care costs for all Americans,” he said.
Baudry said while the experience of caucusing with other business owners and politicos didn’t inspire him to run for office, it did strengthen his commitment to work for and promote positive change in the world of health care.
“Be proactive by introducing a culture of health to friends, family and their companies,” he said. “Get your company involved in proactive wellness programs. Talk about it, introduce it and live it. All it takes is a decision to get started. There are many professionals like Baudry Therapy Center ’ BRIO who would love to get you started.”
Baudry said Baudry Therapy Center ’ BRIO provides the highest quality of patient care using the latest innovative techniques in a way that inspires optimal recovery and paves the path for physical health and wellness including Augmented Soft Tissue Mobilization (ASTYM), manual therapy, dry needling, ergonomic training, LSVT BIG for Parkinson’s Disease, fitness and wellness, lymphedema treatment, Pilates, sports performance training, sports rehab, nutrition and weight loss and functional exercise.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.