| The Wisconsin Federation of
Cooperatives on Feb. 19 announced long-awaited plans for the Farmers' Health Cooperative
of Wisconsin (FHCW). The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation expressed its support
for the FHCW to provide farmers with an option for obtaining health insurance.
The Farmers' Health Cooperative of Wisconsin was created
under the "Co-op Care" law crafted by the Wisconsin Federation of Cooperatives,
with legislative support of the Farm Bureau. FHCW will be the first of its kind
dedicated to serving Wisconsin farmers and agribusiness. Read
more about the FHCW>>>
Visit
the FHCW web site>>>
Key Findings of WFBF 2006 survey of farmers:
Almost one-third
of farmers in Wisconsin had no insurance or had only catastrophic coverage, with
14% of farmers having no insurance, and just 17% having only catastrophic coverage.
Over one-third
of farmers get their insurance coverage through their own or their spouse's off-farm
employment.
Farmers who purchase
their own insurance pay on average $4,245 annually, or
93% more, in total out-of-pocket costs than those farmers who are able
to obtain health insurance through their own or a spouse's off-farm employment.
Read
the report>>> | Wisconsin Farm Bureau members
supported a resolution at the organization's annual meeting Dec.
5 supporting major reform to seek affodable and accessible health care
for all residents. Read
more about Farm Bureau's annual meeting statements on health care reform>>> The Farm Bureau has been
at the forefront of several initiatives to increase the access to affordable health
care for farmers. Finding affordable health care that provides more than just
catastrophic coverage is the number one issue on the minds of farm families. Here
is a summary of the major state efforts that Farm Bureau has advocated:
- BadgerCare
- Private
Employer Health Care Coverage Plan
- State
Employee Health Insurance Plan
- Co-op Care
- Health Savings Accounts
Read
more about these initiatives backed by Farm Bureau>>> |
Farmers'
Health Cooperative Launched