Farm Union Leaders Advocate For Healthcare Reform

By Marianna Levyash - Talk Radio News Service

In a phone interview with Talk Radio News Service on Tuesday, National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson expressed his support for health care reform and explained why it is necessary for rural Americans working in agriculture.

“We have a system that we have long felt is broken,” said Johnson. “It is even more difficult for rural America because we have less access...fewer health care professionals and farmers and ranchers in particular are older and in a riskier occupation, and both of these things cost more.”

According to Johnson, the NFU has long supported a single-payer universal coverage system. Johnson said that the nation's current healthcare system fails farmers because policies are either too expensive for them to purchase, or they are denied coverage due to having pre-existing medical conditions.

“We are strong supporters of the public option because that’s the closest thing to what we actually want," he said.

Johnson added that he would like Congress to pass healthcare legislation that mirrors what other nations such as Canada and Great Britain have.

Pelosi and Representatives Release Draft Of Clean Energy Act

by Christina Lovato, University of New Mexico-Talk Radio News Service

This afternoon Speaker Nancy Pelosi along with Congressmen Henry Waxman (D-CA), and Ed Markey (D-Mass.), released a draft of comprehensive energy legislation, known as the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009.

Speaker Pelosi says the act will create jobs, help end our dangerous dependence on foreign oil, and combat global warming.

“We have an obligation to future generations to preserve this planet and a moral obligation to preserve it as God’s creation,” said Pelosi.

Speaker Pelosi said today that the climate crisis we are facing is not only an environmental health issue, but that it is a national security issue and a moral issue.

“Energy independence and fighting climate change are flagship issues for this Congress. It will also be the impetus for new jobs and a new economic revival for our country,” said Pelosi.

Rep. Markey said that we need to look at this legislation as a good opportunity and if it gets passed it can create 3 to 5 million jobs all across the country.

“The planet is running a fever but there are no emergency rooms or plans so we have to act in a preventative way.”

Rep. Waxman said that Congress has a unique historic opportunity to pass legislation that will make our country more energy independent so that we can protect our national security.

Waxman said “This legislation will try to avert the terrible consequences of global warming.... legislation that will renovate and transform our economy for many many new jobs to give our people the jobs they need to get out of this recession/depression.”

Roger Johnson, the National Farmers Union President said that the union wants to be sure to play a constructive role with this legislation and said that there are already 3600 members doing innovative, and advanced agricultural practices to reduce greenhouse gases.

“Earth Day is something farmers celebrate every day of the year as we work the Earth and we want to make sure that it continues to be protected,” said Johnson.

The bill is expected to pass in the Full Energy and Commerce Committee on Energy before the Memorial Day recess at the end of May.

“On this Earth Day we commit ourselves, not just ourselves, but our nation, to protecting our planet, creating jobs for our workers and by passing clean energy legislation,” concluded Pelosi.

Cutting carbon down on the farm pays off

National Farmers Union President Tom Buis said the Farmers Union Carbon Credit Program allows farmers using low-carbon forms of agriculture to sell carbon credits to corporations enrolled with the exchange. According to Buis, the NFU recently sent out checks totaling $5.8 million to 2,300 farmers using farming techniques that capture carbon in 26 states.

Sen. Dick Lugar (R-Ind.) who plants trees on his farm to capture carbon, said farmers engaging in environmentally friendly farming are being rewarded through this program. He said farmers are able to aid in the fight against climate change while providing food for a growing global population. According to Lugar, American farmers are capable of meeting over half of America's carbon caps. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) said farmers are able to play a major role in reducing carbon emissions in the United States.

William Feretti of the Chicago Climate Exchange said the CCX is the only exchange of its kind in North America. He said 10 percent of Fortune 100 corporations currently use the Farmers Union Carbon Credits Program to adhere to carbon regulations. Buis stated that future legislation should acknowledge the benefits of FUCCPs, saying participants should be acknowledged for their role in combatting carbon emissions and rewarded for taking the initiative to lead.