It took more than three years of effort, but the Virginia Realtors trade group got a health-care victory, courtesy the General Assembly and the pen of Gov. Youngkin.
Youngkin has signed HB 768 and SB 335, which provide more health-insurance options for members of the real-estate industry in the Old Dominion.
“Nearly all of our Realtor-members are independent contractors,” said Virginia Realtors 2022 president Denise Ramey. “Many people don’t realize that this designation means Realtors do not qualify for any traditional employer-based health insurance. Even if they are affiliated with a large, prominent brokerage, health insurance is not provided to them. Finding a way to secure more insurance options for our members has been key to our legislative efforts for several years.”
About one in five Realtors in Virginia goes without health insurance due to prohibitive cost, a 2019 survey concluded.
The measures were sponsored by state Sen. George Barker and Del. Keith Hodges, passing with lopsided majorities in each house.
“While many may feel as though this is the end of the process, it’s important to remember that this is, in fact, the completion of phase one,” said Virginia Realtors senior vice president of government relations Martin Johnson. “Now, our work pivots toward turning this law into a reality for our members, and we are eager to get started.”