From Tami Hines
Columbus
As a long-time supporter of agriculture and member of Indiana Farm Bureau, I’m in favor of Senate Bill 184 because the bill would provide a health care option for farmers and other rural Hoosiers who are sole proprietors.
It’s a critical need because the cost of health care is creating difficult decisions for farm families – continue their operation without health care or find an off-the-farm job that provides health care.
Throughout its 100-year history, Indiana Farm Bureau has helped farmers by listening and responding to their needs. Today is no different. Farmers have identified the need for affordable health care, and Indiana Farm Bureau is responding by going before Indiana legislators to seek the approval to offer a health benefit option to provide more affordable health care to its members.
Because farmers often don’t have employees, they don’t have access to the health benefit plans others do. They are stuck with few choices and often the most expensive ones offered today. That being said, many families who are members of Farm Bureau go without coverage. Many have even chosen to not seek treatment when ill due to health care costs.
To ensure Hoosier farmers receive the care they deserve, I support Senate Bill 184 because it will offer a more affordable health benefit option that doesn’t exist today.
