Michigan Farm Bureau Worried About Ramifications of Health Bill

The Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB), the state's largest general farm organization, is disappointed with the passage of H.R. 4872, the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010, in the U.S. House.

While Farm Bureau favors health care reform, the organization opposes mandates for health coverage, said Ryan Findlay, MFB national legislative counsel.

"Most farmers are self-employed and buy health insurance for themselves and their workers through individual and small group markets. So mandates requiring individuals to have health insurance and employers to provide health insurance for their workers is a huge burden," said Findlay. "The threat of a penalty for noncompliance only worsens the situation for people unable to afford coverage."

MFB also believes the bill does not provide enough incentives for people to purchase insurance, especially in underserved areas.

"Our Farm Bureau members hope the legislation's promise of improving health care access for rural America is taken seriously during the implementation process and comes to fruition," said Findlay.