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Minnesota Farmers Union rural issues report

A report from the Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) indicates access to affordable healthcare is the most urgent issue for rural Minnesotans.

Following a series of listening sessions held across the state during the last month, MFU president Gary Wertish says escalating healthcare costs dominated discussions.

“And on top of that, you have the struggling farm economy right now.  So all of a sudden the farmer is getting hit with high expenses on these insurance bills.  You have a hard time cash-flowing your farm with that additional expense, it makes it a real burden.”

The rural issues report also identified transportation infrastructure and broadband needs among the primary concerns of nearly 500 people who attended the meetings.

Wertish tells Brownfield MFU is bringing these issues forward with a Call to Action for Governor Dayton and the Minnesota Legislature.

“we wrote up a report on this (and) had a press conference (Wednesday) that Lt. Governor Smith participated in, as well as the Human Services commissioner and Department of Ag.  We gave the report to them and now will be giving it to all the legislators and hopefully use it as a road map as they work in the future on these issues.”

Wertish says another common theme heard often at the 14 listening sessions was a frustration with politics getting in the way of government getting things done.

 

 

 

 

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