The election of Republican Massachusetts state senator Scott Brown to the U.S. Senate seat long held by health-reform champion Ted Kennedy (D-MA) has changed the political dynamic of the ongoing health care debate. It remains unclear whether Congress will proceed with its efforts to merge recently passed House and Senate versions of reform legislation or take a new course, which could include pursuing a scaled-down version of legislation. In his State of the Union on January 27, 2010, President Obama urged Congressional leaders to continue to work on reform, citing the ongoing need to address rising costs and the growing numbers of uninsured Americans.

While no single strategy has been identified, NAR proposals for improving coverage for small businesses and the self-employed have been widely reported as being on the list of provisions being considered for any streamlined or newly drafted legislation That stands to put REALTORS® in a solid position on health reform whether lawmakers press ahead or chart a new course. NAR will continue to focus on communicating the needs of small business owners and the self-employed, and NAR's support for reform of health insurance underwriting and rating and standards that would provide small businesses and the self-employed with access to the same types of health coverage enjoyed by those covered by large group plans.

A copy of NAR's letters, testimonies, and other background materials, as well as the text of the Senate and House bills can be found as follows:

NAR's letter and other background materials