The latest news
House Health Reform Bill Scheduled For Saturday Vote (Nov. 6)
The Washington Report
NAR Sends Letter to the U.S. House of Representatives on H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act (Nov. 5) (PDF: 147K)
NAR Submits Statement for the Record to the U.S. Senate HELP Committee Hearing on Small Businesses and the Rising Costs of Healthcare (Nov. 3) (PDF: 185K)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What bills are being considered by Congress, health insurance exchanges, mandates, coverage, plan details, NAR's advocacy positions, and much more.
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Comparison of Access and Affordability Provisions in 2009 Health Reform Bills
This chart compares the acess and affordability provisions in 2009 Health Reform Bills.
Side By Side Comparison Chart>
Self-Employed and Small Business Workers Hit Hardest
More than half of the 46 million uninsured Americans are self-employed, own small firms, or work for small employers. This is not just a problem for the unemployed.
One-in-Four REALTORS® Lack Health Insurance
While all small businesses have found it difficult to find affordable health insurance, REALTORS® have been even more challenged. Typically, REALTORS® are self-employed, independent contractors--the smallest of small businesses.
In most states, the self-employed are relegated to the state's individual insurance market, where applicants can be turned down for medical reasons and there are few limitations placed on the premiums that companies can charge.
As a result, today, twenty-eight percent of the 1.2 million members of the National Association of REALTORS® - more than one in four REALTORS® - have no health insurance coverage. REALTORS® have cited cost as the primary reason they have no health insurance.
For one perspective, read the following article from The New York Times: "Without Health Benefits, a Good Life Turns Fragile." |
