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Farm Families and the Affordable Care Act

Suzanne Bartholomae and, Susan Taylor (August, 2014)

Summary

For the farm community and the public at large, a great deal of confusion has surrounded the rollout of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Uncertainties remain in terms of the costs and benefits associated with its implementation. However, many of the new provisions of the ACA may address some of the issues faced by farm families when it comes to health coverage. Research by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) about the sources, type, and characteristics of health insurance among Iowa farmers and ranchers, and conducted prior to the enactment of the ACA, found that their health insurance consumption patterns differ from the population at large. Considering the high cost of health insurance, it will benefit farm families to become familiar with changes brought about by the ACA.