Early peeks at state health exchanges show steep discou and tax credits could offer welcome relief for many farmers and their employees. Idaho farmer Dick Wittman is on the hunt for affordable health insurance. His wife retired from her off-farm job ayear ago, and their COBRA coverage will soon run out. They're also too young for Medicare, which doesn't kick in until age 65. What's more, Wittman and his family partners feel an obligation to make sure their farm's 15 year-round and part-time employees aren't bankrupted should they or their families become sick. That means the Wittmans are working with their insurance broker to navigate state health care marketplaces and customize a package for them either as individuals or with a new group plan. Despite technology glitches, those exchanges are likely to offer small business owners and their uninsured workers better deals than they could buy on the open market now.
展开▼
