Wisconsin farmers and agribusiness face a health care crisis. Studies consistently report farmers experience a high rate of work-related injuries–National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health reports farmers have the third–highest rate for non-fatal injuries among occupational groups. Also, research shows as many as 82 percent of farmers don’t have 24-hour medical care because of policy restrictions.

The Wisconsin Federation of Cooperatives (WFC) recognized that health care is at the top of the list of concerns facing farm families. WFC made it a priority to find a quality, affordable option for farmers and agribusiness, and this commitment led to the development of Farmers’ Health Cooperative of Wisconsin.

WFC worked with lawmakers and Governor Doyle and in 2003 spearheaded the Co-Op Care law that allows farmers and agribusiness to join together through a cooperative program to purchase affordable, quality health care coverage. Since then, WFC has listened to farmers about their health care needs, secured the needed funding and negotiated with national leaders in agricultural health care to provide multiple health care plan options.

WFC, Agri-Services Agency and Aetna worked with farmers to develop plans that provide the coverage farmers need, the health care they want, at a price they can afford. Farmers’ Health Cooperative plans offer:
o Coverage for work-related injuries
o Multiple plan, provider and network options and choices
o Predictable, stabilized rates
o Prescription drug coverage
o 24-hour nurse hotline