To the editor,

Farmers and the middle class are being crushed by Derrick Van Orden. Van Orden voted for the 2025 tax bill, the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill, that added massive costs for health insurance for farmers, while giving massive tax cuts to the already wealthy and corporations.

At a time when it’s not unusual for farmers to pay an extra $50,000 for diesel and fertilizer to raise their crops, at least for conventional farmers, some are now paying $32,000 or more for health insurance. Some are dropping their coverage altogether.

Farming can be dangerous. A 2024 study from the University of Nebraska Medical Center found farming injuries cost about $11,000 on average in medical care and about $5,000 in lost work.

Farmers and ranchers are among many workers who have relied on Affordable Care Act plans. The Congressional Research Service estimates there were 1.2 million self-employed agriculture workers in 2022. A KFF (formerly known as the Kaiser Family Foundation) survey found that around 27 percent of agriculture workers are on ACA plans — a high share compared to the general population. Enrollment fell about 13 percent across all users after premiums spiked this

year, and they could rise again next year. Many enrollees downgraded their plan level, opting for a high deductible to get a lower monthly cost.

After Van Orden voted to allow tax credits to expire - tax credits that partially covered ACA premium costs - millions of farmers, self-employed Americans and part-time workers are paying more for ACA plans bought from the federally regulated marketplace.

Many farmers are behind on bills, paying minimums and setting up payment plans for regular primary care doctor visits. Some farmers are putting off getting care for health issues or only paying for emergency care until they turn 65 and can enroll in Medicare.

I am sickened by the possibility that my neighbors could lose their health and their farms due to these high costs. We deserve better in Congressional District 3.

Get Van Orden out of office. He does not care about average Wisconsinites. He only cares about following the dictates of Donald Trump and enriching wealthy Americans.

Lisa Mueller

Ellsworth