COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio House has passed legislation which would result in the creation of Farm Bureau Health Plans, giving access to affordable, personalized health care plans for Ohio farm families.

Senate Bill 100 was introduced by Sen. Susan Manchester (R-Lakeview) and passed by the Ohio Senate in early April. It was recently approved by the Ohio House with the support of Rep. Bob Peterson (R-Sabina). The bill would help provide health care opportunities, and close the gap in health care coverage.

“The direct positive impact of the creation of Farm Bureau Health Plans cannot be overstated,” said Ohio Farm Bureau President Bill Patterson. “For this legislation to be passed in the span of only a few months clearly indicates just how significant the issue of the lack of attainable and customized health coverage is for rural Ohioans.”

Whittney Bowers, Ohio Farm Bureau’s director of state policy and grassroots engagement, said, “We are going to be partnering with Farm Bureau Health Plans which already exist. They work exclusively with state farm bureaus. They intend to support the different farm bureaus throughout the country.

“We currently offer the Ohio Farm Bureau Health Benefits plan, which is designed to help small businesses support their employees,” Bowers said. “With our new plan options, Farm Bureau Health Plans will support individuals who do not fit into the Health Benefits Plan.

“The Farm  Bureau Health Benefits Plan is something we’ve had for almost a decade, which allows small businesses to join together to offer health benefits to their employees, as an employee benefit. But not everyone is a small business or sole proprietor who would fit into the parameters of the Health Benefits Plan. Farm Bureau Health Plan, which SB100 allows us to create, will offer plans to individuals without having to work through an employer to gain access to healthcare for themselves or their families.” 

Farm Bureau hopes to be able to offer the new health plan to members by October or November, Bowers said.

“I know as a farmer’s wife myself the heavy planning in November and December as to what the year is going to look like,” Bowers said. “Being able to have this as an option for farmers this fall when they are making those really hard decisions could be extremely helpful for peoples’ bottom line and for their planning process for their farms in 2026.”

The legislation will now head to Gov. Mike DeWine’s desk for his consideration and to be signed into law.

“I’m thrilled that the passage of Senate Bill 100 marks the first bill passed of my Senate career,” Manchester said. “The district I proudly represent is the most agriculture-intensive in the state, and Senate Bill 100 was created for the hardworking farmers back home. Farm Bureau Health Plans will allow for greater economic opportunity and mobility for farmers across the state. I look forward to continuing to work alongside Ohio’s farmers to develop agriculture-forward, farmer-focused policies that strengthen rural communities and improve lives across Ohio.”