On March 2, 2009, The National Association of REALTORS® joined Senators Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.), Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) and Norm Coleman (R-Minn.) as they introduced S. 2795, the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP). President-elect Charles McMillan spoke at the press conference where the legislation was introduced to offer NAR’s support. As proposed, SHOP would offer tax incentives to encourage states to reform group insurance markets and make health insurance premiums for small businesses and the self-employed more affordable. It would also develop a nationwide insurance small business purchasing pool that would still be subject to state insurance regulation to protect those who choose to participate.