Among a slew of bills passed during the Minnesota 2023 session, the Minnesota public health insurance option (SF 2995) will be the first time many farmers and rural Minnesotans will have access to health insurance, removing a large barrier to healthcare access for rural, low-income and agriculture communities. 

Access to affordable healthcare has long been a barrier for rural and farming communities. Many farmers often seek secondary employment in addition to full time farming in order to secure health insurance for themselves and their families. 

The bill, which was supported by a diverse coalition of labor, health, agriculture and rural advocates including the Minnesota Farmers’ Union will begin to repair the long history of health divestment from rural communities. 

The bill also includes the establishment of a Prescription Drug Affordability Board and increased oversight of large hospital mergers aimed at increasing the healthcare options available to Minnesotans. 

 

 

Learn more about working to Ensure Healthcare Access for All and check out our new communications toolkit Providing Healthcare for All.