Jack

Living in Oregon, Casey Means is probably connected to the Oregon Academy. They are among the most vocal advocacy groups. Their CEO, Betsy Boyd, is an advisor to a legislative group. She offers a good voice that could help. And the seven of us could get engaged along with seven people that we know. Suddenly we have a movement. I think there is an opportunity during the next year or two—for the Farm Bill is up for renewal. It’s going to be discussed in Congress. It’s going to be part of any new budget discussions. There may be some ways to encourage keeping the positive aspects of the Farm Bill. They can be linked to the other components so that the good parts of the Bill can infuse the other components of the Farm Bill. Maybe we can support the deletion of other components. I don’t know what you tell a tobacco farmer.  Sorry, just stop farming tobacco and grow what? Plums, corn, cherries? I think it is going to require some people in healthcare to really think about how to approach some of this.

Jeremy

I know we are running out of time, but I want to draw attention back to the tobacco industry. Healthcare has used tobacco taxes to do a lot of healthy things, but the use keeps dropping. So those taxes are generating fewer dollars. There’s an ironic agenda here. Healthcare funding is dependent on more people smoking. And what you’re bringing up is a different framework, which is a reduction in the production of tobacco.

Jack

I just want to remind us that I’m talking about crop insurance. If there is still anybody in America who is against the Affordable Care Act and against the subsidies that low-income families get for their insurance premiums, remind them that billions of dollars are spent to help farmers afford farm insurance. So it is not just about helping people afford health insurance, we’ve been providing crop insurance in America for 80 years. So just as a little reminder.

Jeremy

It’s becoming like socialized agriculture. I just had no idea that socialists had invaded our farm industry. It’s just shocking [tongue in cheek]