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Negotiations continue for MO Farm Bureau healthcare option

Negotiations continue for a bill that would give Missouri farmers and ranchers another healthcare option.

Senate Bill 11 provides an exception for the non-profit membership organization to offer a health plan, outlined as a priority for the farm group. The Missouri Senate Insurance and Banking Committee heard the Farm Bureau-supported bill in January, but the bill has not yet been passed out of committee.

Missouri Farm Bureau President Garrett Hawkins says there’s pushback on the bill.

“It’s a fear of competition. From our standpoint, choice is good, especially for farmers or entrepreneurs who have been left behind with few choices or are underserved, choice is a new thing.”

Southwest Missouri farmer and Farm Bureau board member Maxwell Helm says the proposal can help many farmers.

“Both parts of the family work on the farm. It’s expensive to buy healthcare.”

The state legislative session ends on May 30 and Hawkins says there’s plenty of time to get this bill across the finish line. Brownfield interviewed Missouri Farm Bureau during its annual legislative briefing this week.