SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) — The South Dakota Legislature appears poised to pass a bill that would allow agricultural industry groups to develop their own health-benefit plans that would be outside the purview and regulation of the state Division of Insurance and which could sidestep some federal consumer protections.
The measure is being pushed by the South Dakota Farm Bureau; backers of the measure say it would allow for creation of affordable health plans that would provide a new coverage option for those in the agriculture industry who mostly are independent contractors and do not qualify for employer-based plans.
Opponents of the bill—including independent insurance companies, the South Dakota Farmers Union and health groups including the American Cancer Society—argue it would be “dangerous” for consumers who buy into the plan, would weaken the stability of the overall insurance marketplace in South Dakota and lead to higher premiums for people on traditional insurance plans across the state.
(Bart Pfankuch, SD NewsWatch contributed to this report.)
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