Congress learns of health insurance problems farmers face - NTV

Nebraska Farm Bureau's Rob Robertson joined Rep. Adrian Smith to testify about health insurance challenges (Office of Rep. Adrian Smith)

A key House committee learned Tuesday of the challenges Nebraska farmers and ranchers face when it comes to health insurance.

Rob Robertson, administrator of Nebraska Farm Bureau was invited to testify before the full Ways and Means Committee by Congressman Adrian Smith.

Robertson told congressional leaders that farmers and ranchers have seen skyrocketing health insurance costs.

Smith praised Nebraska Farm Bureau for implementing a group health plan.

"The Nebraska Farm Bureau is on the cutting edge of healthcare innovation in its efforts to shield our farmers and ranchers from Obamacare’s escalating premiums and far-reaching detrimental effects. Rob did a great job of showcasing NEFB’s health plan which illustrates the ingenuity of private-sector organizations and Nebraskans as a whole," Smith said in a statement."

“Escalating health care and health insurance costs were among the top concerns registered by farmers and ranchers who attended a series of listening sessions held across our state in the summer of 2018. Whether it was reports of health care premiums becoming the first or second highest living expense, stories of spouses having to find off-farm work to secure employer provided health insurance, or families (young and old) dropping health care insurance all together, we heard directly from those struggling with how to deal with increasing health insurance costs,” said Robertson.

Robertson’s testimony was provided as part the Committee’s hearing on “Protecting Americans with Pre-Existing Conditions.” Farm Bureau's health plan complies with the Affordable Care Act and covers pre-existing conditions.

“In creating our AHP, we believed it was imperative to cover pre-existing conditions. We wanted to offer great coverage to our farmers and ranchers that was reasonably priced. Allowing farmers and ranchers to pool together to form a large health insurance group through the AHP was the best way we could offer this product at a discounted rate from the high costs of premiums in the individual market. Without the ability to form a bona fide large employer group, farm and ranch members would be stuck with the high costs and limited options in the individual health insurance market, if they could afford them at all,” said Robertson.

http://bit.ly/2Trq9Zi