Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans are dead set on undermining affordable health care for their own constituents and letting health care tax credits expire at the end of the year. According to new research from the KFF, more than a quarter of farmers, ranchers, and agricultural managers rely on the individual market for health insurance because most family farms and small agricultural businesses do not provide employer coverage. Nearly all of them depend on Marketplace subsidies to make coverage affordable.
Republicans promised lower costs, but they’re prepared to allow health care subsidies to lapse and spike health care costs for working families by more than 75 percent on average, and millions of people could be priced out of health care coverage entirely.
Farmers face particular vulnerability because they are self-employed, often earn seasonal or unpredictable income, and work in physically demanding and high-risk conditions. For them, health coverage is not a luxury; it is the difference between being able to keep their farms running and losing everything.
Rising health care costs would be another devastating blow to farming families caused by Republicans’ unwavering support for Trump’s policies. Last week, soybean farmers in Illinois and Indiana criticized the administration’s tariffs for disrupting exports and for preparing a $20‑billion bailout for Argentina, a major competitor in the market, leaving American farmers behind.
“Farm families are staring down the threat of skyrocketing health costs because Donald Trump is determined to rip away their coverage and hand out tax breaks to billionaires and the wealthiest corporations. He is even willing to let the government shut down to get his way,” said American Bridge 21st Century spokesperson Brandon Weathersby. “Farmers feed the nation, and help power rural economies, and they deserve leaders who keep their promises and don’t sell them out to reward billionaires. Rising premiums and shrinking access to care would not only hurt families but also threaten the stability of rural economies that rely on healthy, productive agricultural workers. Donald Trump’s agenda would make it harder for them to see a doctor, harder to keep their families healthy, and harder to hold onto their farms. Rural America cannot afford his health care sabotage.
Published: Sep 29, 2025