Court strikes down NAR’s health insurance plan

WASHINGTON (March 29, 2019) – A federal judge ruled last week that the Department of Labor's act allowing associations to offer healthcare plans was illegal. In the ruling, District of Columbia-based U.S. District Court Judge John Bates said it allows participant to "avoid the most stringent requirements" of the Affordable Care Act.

In response, National Association of Realtors^® (NAR) President John Smaby issued a statement opposing the court's ruling.

"As independent contractors, Realtors have long struggled to find and secure affordable health insurance options," said Smaby in the statement. "This is why NAR strongly supports the U.S. Department of Labor's final rule expanding access to Association Health Plans. This rule has been successful and is growing in many states, providing high quality, lower cost coverage alternatives to many of NAR's 1.3 million members and their families."

The Labor Department disagrees with the report, and the Justice Department announced that it would consider "all available options" after the ruling.

The Labor Department said in a CNN report it disagreed with the decision while the Justice Department said it will consider "all available options" after Bates' ruling.

"The administration will continue to fight for sole proprietors and small businesses so that they can have the freedom to band together to obtain more affordable, quality healthcare coverage," a Justice Department spokesman said.

"We are extremely disappointed in this week's District Court decision, which threatens the progress Realtor associations have made in offering much-needed health insurance solutions," Smaby said in the statement. "NAR is reviewing this ruling to determine its potential nationwide impact and we vow to continue to fight for more affordable, quality health insurance options for our members."

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