The New York State Senate last month gave final legislative approval to legislation sponsored by Sen. Elizabeth Little, R-Queensbury and Assemblyman Darrel Aubertine, D-Cape Vincent. that would offer self-employed farmers greater access to the Family Health Plus insurance program by removing depreciation of farm business assets from eligibility requirements. “Many of our farm families are struggling financially,” Little said. “Keeping the farm operational is the top priority and, unfortunately, that can mean forgoing spending money on something as basic as health insurance. Many farmers would meet the income eligibility for New York’s Family Health Plus program, but they miss out when depreciated assets, such as tractors, combines and spreaders, are factored in as now required by law.”

A farm family of four may be living on approximately $22,000 in actual farm income, making them eligible for Family Health Plus. However, when depreciation of farm equipment is included in the family income, the same family could appear to be earning $90,000 a year, preventing them from accessing Family Health Plus.

The State Assembly passed the legislation in May, thanks to Assemblyman Aubertine’s leadership, who, as a fellow farmer, understands the difficulty farmer can face in obtaining health insurance.