| Insurance for farmers in question
Another costly issue, though, is brewing in agriculture: health insurance for farmers. When Congress returns from its summer recess in early September, lawmakers will have to contend with how an overhaul of the nation's health care system would affect farm families, who often have to shop around for private plans that are expensive and hard to obtain. In some cases, though, health insurance comes through bargaining cooperatives that sell milk or other goods on behalf of farmers. Dairylea Cooperative Inc., Syracuse, the north country's dominant cooperative, has been lobbying on the issue in an effort to protect its plan as part of any new system. "We need to ensure our health care program can continue to operate and compete on a level playing field so our members have access to affordable, comprehensive health coverage that meets the needs of farmers," Max Gannon, president of Agri-Services Agency, a Dairylea subsidiary, said in a press release.
Question of hail insurance resurfaces after storm
Like other farmers in the aftermath of a damaging hailstorm, Cook will ponder anew the necessity of carrying hail damage insurance.
"I haven't carried hail insurance in the 50 years that I've farmed, but I haven't had this kind of damage before," the 72-year-old Cook said. "You can always ask yourself that question after a storm. But I'll be OK. I've had enough good years and I'll be back farming next year." But he added, "I'm pretty sure I'll recommend to my three sons that they buy hail insurance in the future. At their ages and stages of life, they should have it."
Sunday's hailstorm cut like a sharp knife along a 10- to 15-mile corridor from Webster to Grundy counties, through some of the most productive farmland in Iowa.
The portion of Cook's farms hit hardest have a crop suitability rating of 84, which puts it in the high end of soil productivity.
Met Service flaws undermine Jamaica farm insurance - report
The insurance company which received the World Bank contract to determine the feasibility of providing insurance for the island's agricultural sector is pointing to a number of weaknesses in an agency that will play a key role in making the policy workable. In a pre-feasibility study it published more than a month ago, the contractors, CGM Gallagher, questioned the ability of the Jamaica Meteorological Service (JMS) to provide quality and timely data, especially for extreme weather conditions. The study outlines the need for the agency to improve on the weaknesses before it can implement a parametric policy. It also perceives small-farming practices could pose a problematic application of the insurance policy, noting that it would be better applied to large farmers and commercial producers who mono-crop.
Your Medical Provider Can Not Use HIPPA To Keep You From Your Records
Under federal law or HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) consumers have the right to access records documenting their health conditions, diagnoses and treatments. The law, often control by state statute, provided for set fees for locating, photocopying, and for making records available. HIPPA also requires providers to give patients the information they ask for in the format they request. Nowhere in the law is the shield that some providers attempt to create. There are specific requirements for release to third parties. At our firm, we have about 20 different forms that we use, which vary by the provider. There are limited forms that we provide for the defense, that never allow them to talk to the doctors. It's one of the many areas where unrepresented individuals are taken advantage of.
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