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NAR recently submitted comments on the Department of Labor’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) aimed at improving American's health insurance options by expanding access to Association Health Plans (AHPs). The NPRM expands the definition of “employer” under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to include “working owners,” which enables sole proprietors/self-employed individuals to be eligible for participation in AHPs.
In the comment, NAR expressed strong support for the NPRM and recommended several modifications to maximize AHP participation by working owners and ensure AHP sustainabilty. Many state and local associations, as well as individual members, also submitted comments on the proposed rule. The Department will review the hundreds of submitted comments and then issue a final rule later this year, incorporating the feedback provided in the comments. However, it is possible that legal challenges will arise once a final rule is issued that may delay implementation. NAR will be closely monitoring developments on this rule.
See the press release and comment for more information.
For more information on NAR’s advocacy efforts, please visit on health care reform topic page.
For background on insurance challenges for independent contractors, please visit our blog post.