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Few solutions to rising healthcare costs for farmers

A state Farmers Union leader says he’s surprised and frustrated elected officials aren’t doing more to ease healthcare costs for farmers.

Gary Wertish, president of the Minnesota Farmers Union, tells Brownfield individual plan premiums keep going up with no relief in sight.

“There doesn’t seem to be any attempt to do anything about it to help lower those costs.  You always expect some increase, but when you start paying from $25,000 to $45,000 between your premiums and deductibles, that’s just not sustainable.”

At the state level, he says the Minnesota Legislature and Governor Dayton have provided some short-term solutions.

As for Congress and President Trump.

“At the federal level, it seems like (healthcare) has kind of disappeared off their radar for the time being.”

The Minnesota Farmers Union just released the results of its latest Rural Voices Discussion listening sessions—seven meetings across the state intended to give farmers and rural residents an opportunity to speak what’s on their minds.

High healthcare costs and access to rural broadband were among the biggest concerns expressed from attendees earlier this year.