Kevin Sears President | Official website
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) is showing support for the efforts of the U.S. House Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions by endorsing their hearing titled "A Healthy Workforce: Expanding Access and Affordability in Employer-Sponsored Health Care." Angela Shields, who leads Tennessee Realtors as CEO, represented NAR's members during her testimony and emphasized the organization's backing of association health plans (AHP).
Shannon McGahn, NAR's Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy Officer, expressed the organization's stance: "NAR strongly supports restoring access to association health plans, which provide high-quality, affordable health coverage for America's self-employed professionals, including Realtors." She added, "Angela Shields' testimony before Congress underscores the need to address the health insurance challenges many of our members face."
McGahn further elaborated on NAR's historical position on this issue. "NAR has long fought for solutions that give independent contractors the same ability as large employers and unions to pool together and negotiate better health coverage options. When Tennessee Realtors and other associations offered AHPs, members saved significantly on insurance costs, including lower deductibles, and gained access to broader provider networks—without sacrificing comprehensive coverage. The loss of these plans in 2019 was a substantial setback for real estate professionals and their families."
McGahn concluded by stating, "We look forward to working with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to ensure our members and self-employed workers can obtain the affordable, high-quality health insurance they deserve."
NAR is the largest trade association in the United States, representing professionals in residential and commercial real estate sectors. The organization emphasizes ethical standards among its members, who are identified as Realtors and comply with a strict Code of Ethics. For resources on the buying and selling process, consumers can access free guides on facts.realtor.
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