A new healthcare cooperative launched by the state is getting a warm welcome from some Wisconsin farmers. Beginning in April, Wisconsin farmers will be able to join a health care cooperative that can give them access to affordable health insurance. Mosinee dairy farmer Sandi Cihlar says the program is long overdue. She says it provides a realistic option for farm families to have access to affordable and quality health care.
Cihlar is part of a family farm corporation. She says their current insurance and past health problems have prevented them from expanding their operation because costs keep going up. A past heart condition has prevented them from being able to switch insurance providers.
The Farmer's Health Cooperative of Wisconsin will rely on getting healthy farmers to enroll in order to keep costs down for all members. Cihlar says there should be no problem building interest for the program because many have been waiting for an option that provides options like this.
AUDIO: Andrew Beckett reports (MP3 1:12)
