For Wisconsin farmers who don't have health insurance — or are paying a lot for the insurance they have — a new health coverage program could save them money or give them better coverage.

The Farmers' Health Cooperative of Wisconsin, which was launched Monday, provides a buying pool for farmers and others in agribusiness. They'll be eligible to sign up for one of six insurance programs that the cooperative is offering.

The idea is that farmers can get a better deal on insurance — in both costs and benefits — by forming a group, which increases their buying power.

Currently, 18 percent of dairy farmers in Wisconsin don't carry health insurance. Those who do can pay several thousands of dollars each month for it. The situation is so dire that farmers say affordable health care is their top concern.

This program, set up by the Wisconsin Federation of Cooperatives, might be able to alleviate some of the concern.

Credit goes to the state Legislature and Gov. Jim Doyle for passing a law to allow it, to Sen. Herb Kohl and Rep. Dave Obey for helping secure $2.4 million in federal aid, and to the organizations that provided grants to help get the cooperative started.

In a time of crisis for the nation's health care, here's one possible solution for a group of people that surely needs one.