Farmers Face a Health Insurance Crisis

Farmers are in a tight spot. They're already dealing with:

• Low crop prices
• High costs for fertilizer and seeds

Now, the extra help they get to pay for health insurance is ending soon. This could leave many without coverage.

A Farmer's Struggle

James Davis, a farmer in Louisiana, is worried. His insurance will cost four times more next year. He says it's just too much.

Many farmers rely on this help to afford insurance. Without it, they might have to:

• Go without coverage
• Find other jobs

The Risks of Farming

Farming is risky. Farmers work with:

• Big machines
• Chemicals
• Animals

They get hurt more often than other workers. Injuries can cost a lot of money. Many farmers already have:

• Medical debt
• Mental health issues

The Stigma of Asking for Help

Some farmers don't like asking for help. They see themselves as self-reliant.

But without insurance, they could face big problems.

Meghan Palmer, a dairy farmer in Iowa, knows this firsthand. She and her husband had to pay for medical bills out of pocket once. It was a tough lesson.

Government Changes and Lack of Support

The government is changing how it helps with health insurance. This could make things worse for farmers.

They might have to choose between:

• Growing their business
• Keeping their insurance

Lawmakers aren't doing much to help. Some farmers feel ignored.