By AMY MORENO-SILLS
For the Capital Press
I love the simple pleasures of farming, from seeing a child's face light up with wonder as she discovers that carrots grow in the ground, to tasting the first juicy strawberries of summer.
And it inspires me to work for a more experienced farmer who role models sustainability -- a woman who treats the earth, the community and her staff with care and respect.
But like most small farmers, my employer cannot afford to provide employee health benefits.
None of the farmers my husband and I have worked for over the last 11 years could offer health insurance. It's too expensive. In my 20s I didn't worry. We were young and healthy and never had to see the doctor. But now I'm in my 30s, we have two small children and health care is a big priority. One injury or illness could bankrupt us. Our current situation is unsustainable.
So I am thrilled that health reform will bring better, more affordable options to me and my family. The Affordable Care Act will enable us to buy health insurance for the first time in my adult life. By expanding proven programs and offering cost-sharing subsidies, the new law will bring premiums within our reach. It will also ensure that working families cannot be denied coverage due to pre-existing conditions, or lose their coverage when someone gets sick.
It is especially heartening that the new law requires members of Congress to get their healthcare coverage from the same plans as millions of Americans. To my way of thinking, if it's good enough for our political leaders, it's good enough for me.
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