On Saturday, Nov. 7, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Affordable Health Care for America Act, H.R. 3962, a sweeping health care bill. The legislation could be the biggest expansion of health care coverage since Medicare was created more than 40 years ago.

Attention now turns to the Senate. If and when the Senate approves a health care reform bill, a congressional conference committee must merge the two proposals into a consensus version that would require final approval from both chambers of Congress as well as President Obama’s signature.

While there was much talk about moving a health reform bill quickly, there are still many steps that need to occur before any final vote on health reform can take place.

Since health care reform is a major issue for the self-employed – and a majority of the National Association of REALTORS® 1.2 million members are self-employed – NAR has been following the issue closely. Currently, 28% of NAR’s membership is uninsured, and more are underinsured.

On Nov. 5, NAR sent a letter to the House of Representatives. In it, NAR expresses overall support for health care reform, but details several areas of concern to its members. See the letter here.

For more information about health care reform and its relevance to REALTORS®, including Frequently Asked Questions, visit NAR’s page here.

More information on health care reform and its movement through Congress will be posted as it becomes available.