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On Wednesday, the National Association of REALTORS® urged Congress to pass legislation restoring Americans’ access to association health plans, a critical means of healthcare coverage for self-employed individuals like real estate professionals.
Angela Shields, CEO of Tennessee REALTORS®, highlighted the struggles independent contractors—comprising most NAR members—face in obtaining comprehensive, affordable health coverage at a hearing in front of the House Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions. She underscored that 15% of the nation’s more than a million REALTORS® remain uninsured due to high premiums and deductibles. Many others rely on expensive plans in the Affordable Care Act marketplace with narrow provider networks.
NAR’s priority is to ensure that members have the freedom to choose the best health insurance options that offer the highest quality care at the most affordable cost—whether through the ACA, AHPs or other available plans.
Shields said AHPs enable self-employed individuals and small businesses to access high-quality health insurance at lower costs than they could obtain individually—similar to coverage for large employers and unions.
Tennessee REALTORS® was one of several state and local REALTOR® associations to establish an AHP in 2019 to offer members a higher quality, lower-cost insurance option in accordance with federal regulations issued by the Department of Labor.
“REALTOR® AHPs offered our members comprehensive health coverage, including coverage for pre-existing conditions, and voluntary coverage of all 10 of the ACA’s ‘essential health benefits,’” said Shields during her testimony. “Participants of the Tennessee REALTOR® plan saved 30%–40% while gaining broader provider networks and more reasonable deductibles and co-pays.”
However, that same year, a federal district court overturned the DOL rule, and AHPs were shuttered.
“The loss of our AHP was devastating,” Shields testified to the House subcommittee. “We invested time, resources and trust into a plan that worked. Our members still ask why we can’t offer them the affordable, quality coverage they once had.”
NAR has long called for restoring permanent access to AHPs through legislation such as the Association Health Plans Act, which was introduced in Congress in 2023. NAR continues to work with lawmakers, with the White House and through the courts to support AHPs.
Read more on Shields’ testimony in NAR's Washington Report.