American Farm Bureau Opposes $894 Billion

House Health Care Bill

The American Farm Bureau Federation is opposed to the Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962) that was rolled out in a rally on the west front of the Capitol on Thursday because it requires compulsory national health insurance and a government-run health insurance program.

Farm Bureau backs market-based health insurance reform, and the $894 billion House bill fails to meet that goal. Farm Bureau is also concerned that the bill will add to the federal deficit.

The bill is paid for primarily by imposing a surcharge on taxpayers with adjusted gross income in excess of $1 million (married filing a joint return) and $500,000 (single) at a rate of 5.4 percent.

Quote of the Day Regarding Climate Change

“It is no consolation to stand with one foot in the campfire, one foot in the ice bucket and say, ‘On average I’m in good shape.’ It is no consolation to say to farmers and ranchers they’re going to be in good shape on average if you don’t know the regional differences.” – Sen. Mike Johanns (R-Neb.), commenting Thursday at the Senate Agriculture Committee hearing on what the hotly debated climate change bill might mean for agriculture.

MORE INFORMATION

  • Ag in the News - links to recent articles on Utah and American agriculture
  • Check out the Utah Farm Bureau group page on Facebook. Visit facebook.com and search 'Utah Farm Bureau' and you can join the group. This is another avenue to use to tell agriculture's story, bridging the gap between consumers and their food. You can also look up videos on the 'UtahFarmer' channel on YouTube.
  • Read Utah Farm Bureau Federation CEO Randy Parker's monthly column HERE.
  • You can now pay your Utah Farm Bureau membership dues online! You can also pay registration costs for the Annual and Midyear conferences. Visit the 'Membership' tab above to be redirected to a secure payment location.
  • The November 2009 issue of the Utah Farm Bureau News is now available online.
  • Follow this link to the Utah Department of Agrictulture and Food to get the most up-to-date commodity and market prices available, including many of the local livestock auctions.
  • Check the America's Heartland Web site for details on where and when the show airs in your market.
  • Idaho Public Radio presents the weekly 'Diane Josephy Peavey Essay'. From the ranch outside Carey, Idaho, the author of Bitterbrush Country, Peavey writes narrates a weekly essay, providing an insiders view of the joys, struggles, and adventures of life in rural Idaho. This perspective can be shared by many in Utah.
  • FFA students can go HERE. to learn more about the connection between the FFA and the Utah Farm Bureau, including information on the FFA Discussion Meet.
  • Information on the 2010 Free Pesticide Disposal Event can be found HERE.
  • Salt Lake Bees Baseball. Come take the whole gang to the ballpark without breaking the bank!!! Business associate and youth group packages available.

  • Farm Bureau now has a new discount on cell phone service with T-Mobile. Discounts on monthly charges, equipment and set-up available.
  • All-Day passes for Universal Studios or Legoland make great additions to a family's summer travel plans to Southern California in 2009.
  • Hotel Discounts. 20% Choice Hotels, including Comfort Inn, Quality Inn, Sleep Inn and Econo lodge. Save 10% off of the "Best Available Rate" for various hotel chains including Howard Johnson, Travelodge, Ramada and Days Inn with advance reservations.
  • Sears Commercial and the Utah Farm Bureau have teamed up to provide an outstanding new member benefit! This benefit is not available through Sears Retail stores. CLICK HERE for more information on how to order.
  • MORE
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