FRONT LINES: Washington Report

Health plan legislation gains

Efforts by NAR and other groups to win passage of federal small business health plans received a boost in early November with the introduction of a bill in the U.S. Senate that NAR analysts say could attract key support from insurance providers.

The Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization and Affordability Act (S. 1955) would give associations tools to bring health plans to their members and take steps to harmonize state coverage mandates, a goal sought by health insurance providers to simplify and lower the costs of their plan administration. The bill was introduced by Michael Enzi, R-Wyo., with cosponsorship by Conrad Burns, R-Mont., and Ben Nelson, D-Neb.

NAR is looking closely at the bill along with another bill, the Small Business Health Fairness Act, S. 406, which would enable associations to provide their members more affordable heath insurance than they can now, either through a self-insured plan or through a carrier. The Enzi bill wouldn’t allow self-insured plans.
The House passed its version of the Small Business Health Fairness Act, H.R. 525, in July 2005.

Terrorism insurance bill in House

Legislation to extend a federal terrorism insurance backstop took a crucial step forward when the U.S. Senate passed a bill that would continue a federal role for two years. “This legislation will ensure that the overall sense of economic and employment security brought by the federal government’s involvement in terrorism insurance will continue,” says NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® President Thomas M. Stevens.

Differences between the bill and a House bill, which in late November was under consideration, would have to be resolved. Then a single bill would be sent to both chambers for a vote. Provided it passes, it would then be sent to President George W. Bush for enactment.

NAR has been working with a coalition of business interests to make sure the final bill maintains affordable insurance to property owners.

HUD sales include brokers

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has proposed rules that would require the use of a real estate broker in a discounted home sales program.

The Good Neighbor Next Door program provides a 50 percent discount to law enforcement officers, teachers, firefighters, and emergency responders on the purchase of HUD-owned single-family homes in distressed communities.

In requiring the use of brokers, HUD recognizes the value of brokers in the homebuying process, say NAR analysts.

In its comments on the rules, NAR sought clarification on closing procedures under the program. The program is slated to be available for brokers later this year when the final rule is published.

For more government affairs updates, visit the Government Affairssection of REALTOR.org.