Did you know 65% of farmers in a national survey identified the cost of health insurance as the most significant threat to their farm? Ohio farmers agree.
In Ohio, 51% of the population has an employer-sponsored health plan. Of those who purchase health plans within the ACA marketplace, 12% of those plans are unsubsidized, but still, nearly 6% of the population in Ohio is uninsured. Ohio Farm Bureau (OFB) members often fall within either the 12% with unsubsidized coverage from the marketplace, or the 6% uninsured.
Net farm income saw a nearly 30% decrease from 2022 to 2024, while insurance premiums alone increased by 15% in that two-year period, and 24% since 2019. The unpredictability of farm income makes it difficult to predict and manage the current marketplace for a family seeking coverage.
Ohio Farm Bureau members need options for health coverage. Without new offerings many will continue to bear the risk on their own.
Ohio Farm Bureau looking for insurance options for farmers
To that end, Ohio Farm Bureau is pursuing an option that would provide a competitive and innovative alternative for members who do not easily fit into traditional health plan coverage. To achieve this goal, the organization is seeking legislative authority to offer an additional health care coverage option to its members.
A Farm Bureau Health Plan offers the potential for lower premiums on comprehensive coverage, creating a more affordable healthcare option for families in rural or agricultural communities.
Farm Bureau believes this program will:
The organization is seeking legislative changes to allow Ohio to offer member-only health care coverage that features:
The Farm Bureau Health Plan is not:
We are very grateful to the Ohio Senate for passing Senate Bill 100 that would make the Farm Bureau Health Plan possible. We are now asking our members and the farming community to reach out to their state representative and voice support for the House version of the bill (House Bill 99).
If passed, we hope that the plan would be available fall 2025.
Next-level advocacy: Campaign School
Does advocating for your community excite you? Have you ever thought about pursuing public service but don’t know where to start?
If you’re thinking about running for state legislature, school board, county commission or other public office, Ohio Farm Bureau’s Campaign School can teach you the nuts and bolts of campaigning and help you execute a winning campaign.
This nonpartisan, unbiased program offers in-depth instruction from national, state and local political experts on topics like strategy, tactics, selecting issues, budgeting, fundraising and identifying voters. Ohio Farm Bureau Campaign School was designed to give potential candidates a solid foundation as they seek elected office. It also offers incumbents an opportunity to enhance their campaign skills.
Campaign School will take place on Aug. 1-2 at the Ohio Farm Bureau offices in downtown Columbus. Current officeholders, potential candidates, campaign managers and campaign volunteer leaders are invited to attend. The cost is $100 to members and $250 to nonmembers.
Here are the benefits of attending
Campaign School is limited to 25 participants. Visit ofbf.org to learn more and to register.
Lindsay Tournoux is the organization director serving Ashland, Medina, Summit and Wayne County Farm Bureaus.
This article originally appeared on Farmers Advance: Health care coverage is expensive and Farm Bureau wants to help farmers
Reporting by Lindsay Tournoux / Farmers Advance
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
