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Desert REALTORS® Urge Support
Of Health Insurance for Small Businesses

PALM DESERT (Calif.) — Desiree’ Otero, president of the California Desert Association of REALTORS®, said today REALTORS® are urging passage of national legislation that would provide affordable health care insurance to small businesses.
Otero was among the record number 10,000 REALTORS® attending the National Association of REALTORS® Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo May 16-20 in Washington D.C.
“We urged our lawmakers to support the Small Business Health Plan Bill (S.1955) that would allow the self-employed and employees of small business to enroll in the same kind of comprehensive health care plan enjoyed by employees of large corporations and unions,” Otero said.
“Getting the Small Business Health Plan passed is good not just for REALTORS®,’’ she said. “It matters to all business owners or independent contractors who struggle to find quality, affordable health care for their employees and families.”
She quoted National Association of REALTORS® figures that about 28 percent of Realtors across the country do not have health insurance. Many REALTORS® are self-employed.
Otero joined California Desert Association of REALTORS® members Emily DiSimone, incoming president, executive vice president Greg Berkemer, Health Hilgenberg, Judy Ziegler and Leslie Munger, national directors and Scott Gerrie, the federal political coordinator, in meetings on Capitol Hill with their representatives, including Congresswoman Mary Bono, R-California.
During the five-day meeting, California Desert Association of REALTORS® representatives also attended seminars on the economy, public policy and property rights, among other issues.
Another hot topic is whether banks should be allowed to create their own real estate brokerages. NAR is in support of several congressional bills that would bar national banks from becoming real estate companies.
“REALTORS® care about our communities,” DiSimone said. “That’s why we come together each year to voice our concerns and share ideas with policy makers in Washington.”
The California Desert Association of REALTORS®, The Voice for Real Estate® for the Coachella Valley, represents 4,000 estate professionals from Palm Springs to Coachella.
For more information, please call (760) 346-5637 or visit online at www.real-property.com