House Passes Bill To Allow INFB To Create Health Plan

The Indiana Farm Bureau celebrated another legislative milestone Tuesday for a bill that will permit the organization to offer health plans to its members.

The legislative push comes at a time when Indiana farmers say profit margins are tight and health care costs are challenging. 

INFB President Randy Kron says while it’s not quite across the finish line yet, today is a great day in Indiana agriculture.

“To have the Senate vote 49-0 and then 93-2 in the House, you know that tells me our representatives and senators understand the importance of what this bill does to help farmers and rural communities,” says Kron.

Farmers urged legislators this session to pass a bill that would give them and their families an alternative option for health care.

A few other state farm bureaus including Tennessee, Kansas and Iowa have created similar health plans for members.

Kron says the bill’s success wouldn’t have been possible without INFB members' testimony.

“You know, I can’t put a price tag on that,” he says. “But having members show up, you know that’s what helps move the needle at the legislature. And I think that’s why we had bipartisan support which you don’t see that a lot of times.”

Kron says the goal would be to roll out health plan options in the fourth quarter that would go into effect at the start of next year.

The bill now returns to the Senate for approval before going to the governor’s desk.

Contact Samantha at shorton@wfyi.org or follow her on Twitter at @SamHorton5.