The enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies that many Americans, including farmers, relied upon to purchase health insurance expired at the end of December, leaving agricultural workers facing steep premium increases. James Davis, age 55, who grows cotton, soybeans, and corn in northern Louisiana, saw his share of insurance premiums quadruple for 2026, jumping to approximately 2,700 dollars per month. According to an analysis from KFF, a health information nonprofit, more than a quarter—27 percent—of the agricultural workforce purchases health insurance through the individual marketplace, much higher than the overall population’s 6 percent rate.
Farming is dangerous work. Agricultural workers spend much time outdoors exposed to the elements and face risks from heavy machinery, toxic chemicals, and large animals. The rate of work-related deaths for farmers is seven times the national average. A study from the University of Nebraska Medical Center found that the average cost of a farming injury was 10,878 dollars in medical care and 4,735 dollars in lost work. More than 20 percent of U.S. farm households had medical debt exceeding 1,000 dollars according to a 2022 study, and more than half were not confident they could cover the costs of a major illness or injury.
Meghan Palmer, age 43, who runs a dairy farm in northeastern Iowa with her husband John, age 45, described a previous uninsured period that resulted in an appendectomy for her and stitches for her husband after being kicked in the face by a cow. This year, their combined out-of-pocket monthly cost is increasing by more than 90 percent to 368.18 dollars, with a total 2026 deductible of 7,200 dollars. More than 40 percent of dairy farmers lack health insurance, one of the highest rates among agricultural sectors. Farmers are concerned about the GOP’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which eliminates repayment limits on subsidies. If farmers have a surprisingly profitable 2026, they’ll be forced to repay some or all subsidy received at tax time.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/farmers-health-insurance-costs-aca-obamacare-subsidies/