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Healthcare dilemma being discussed first day of Farmfest

The first day of Minnesota’s biggest summer farm show is addressing the healthcare dilemma facing many farmers across the state and country.

Kent Thiesse has helped organize Farmfest forums for 30 years, working to identify issues important to agriculture.

He says rising healthcare costs for people on individual plans—like many farmers—is causing a great deal of stress throughout Greater Minnesota.

“It is an ongoing concern and there are still a lot of issues for farm families and other rural families, independent business people (too).  In some parts of the state they have difficulty getting access to health insurance coverage, and in some cases have restrictions on what kind of healthcare they can receive.  As well as the high cost of health insurance coverage that is available.”

Thiesse tells Brownfield Tuesday’s forum on rural healthcare begins at 10:30 and features Minnesota Congressman Tim Walz, Minnesota Department of Human Services Commissioner Emily Piper, State Senator Gary Dahms, Nicholas Gerhart with FBL Financial Group, and United Farmers Cooperative CEO Jeff Nielsen.

The Tuesday afternoon forum focuses on financial challenges and strategies farmers can implement to stay in business.