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Senate passes bill allowing Farm Bureau member health plans exempt from state insurance regulations
Summary
The Ohio Senate approved Senate Bill 100 to exempt nonprofit agricultural membership organizations from state insurance regulations and require disclosures that such plans are not insurance.
The Ohio Senate on April 1 passed Amended Senate Bill 100, which creates an exemption in state law for nonprofit agricultural membership organizations offering health-plan-like coverage and requires written notice that these plans are not insurance.
Sponsor Senator Manchester framed the bill as a targeted option for self-employed farmers seeking alternative coverage. She said the Farm Bureau health plan would offer a "free market" alternative for Ohioans who lack affordable options on the Affordable Care Act marketplace. The bill as amended requires a written disclaimer that the Farm Bureau plan "is not insurance" and cannot be marketed as such.
During floor debate, supporters stressed the program would cover a subset of residents — primarily farmers and their families — and noted that similar models exist in other states. Senator Manchester cited other states, including Tennessee, Indiana and Iowa, as examples and said the amendment improves transparency. "The plan makes for the ideal health coverage option for Ohioans who are self employed and do not qualify for ACA subsidies," Manchester said.
Senator Craig acknowledged concerns raised in committee about preexisting condition exclusions and waiting periods, and said the disclosure language was necessary so consumers understand differences between these plans and ACA-regulated insurance. "We are requiring consumers to be informed that what they are paying for is not insurance," Craig said, emphasizing transparency and advertising rules discussed in committee.
Senate supporters also noted the Government Accountability Office has previously reviewed alternative coverage arrangements and advised attention to transparency; the amendment aims to address those concerns. The bill passed by roll call: 32 yeas, 0 nays.
The bill excludes qualifying nonprofit agricultural membership organizations from state insurance regulation and requires written disclosures; it does not change federal insurance law or ACA eligibility rules. The transcript records sponsors and supporters discussing the bill’s scope, potential beneficiaries, and consumer disclosure requirements; no floor opposition was recorded.
