America's Health Insurance Delivery System is Broken
Despite a long-standing tradition of employer provided health insurance, more than 46 million individuals in our nation have no health insurance today-and that number is increasing.
Self-Employed and Small Business Workers Hit Hardest
More than half of the 46 million uninsured Americans are self-employed, own small firms, or work for small employers.
This is not just a problem for the unemployed.
Why Are Those Who Work for Small Businesses So Impacted?
Rapidly rising health insurance premiums and small profit margins have made it increasingly difficult for small businesses and the self-employed to afford health insurance. Consider the following:
| Increases in Insurance Premiums Since 2000 |
Small group health insurance premiums for single coverage
| |
72%
|
Small group family coverage
|  | 78%
|
| | |
One-in-Four REALTORS® Lack Health Insurance
While all small businesses have found it difficult to find affordable health insurance, REALTORS® have been even more challenged. Typically, REALTORS® are self-employed, independent contractors--the smallest of small businesses.
In most states, the self-employed are relegated to the state's individual insurance market, where applicants can be turned down for medical reasons and there are few limitations placed on the premiums that companies can charge.
As a result, today, twenty-eight percent of the 1.3 million members of the National Association of REALTORS® - more than one in four REALTORS® - have no health insurance coverage. REALTORS® have cited cost as the primary reason they have no health insurance.
For one perspective, read the following article from The New York Times: "Without Health Benefits, a Good Life Turns Fragile." |
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The latest news
Health Care Debate May Hinge on Pooling (Reuters)
NAR Statement on CHOICE Act
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