The U.S. Department of Labor took a first step toward expanding access to health coverage through association health plans by issuing a notice of proposed rulemaking that would broaden the definition of employers to include working owners, or sole proprietors or the self-employed. The notice also would broaden a provision that could allow for more employers to band together if they are in the same industry or share certain geographic areas. NAR will sending comments on the notice to the department, which is taking input until March 6. For more information, click here.