By Del Deterling
Progressive Farmer Contributing Editor

Gerald and Rhonda Jackson always felt they were well-protected with their health insurance plan. Some 25 years ago, a few years after they married and started farming in Moro, Ark., they bought a major-medical insurance policy through Arkansas Farm Bureau. They also bought a low-cost cancer insurance policy about 10 years ago.

A wake-up call came when Rhonda's father, who had no insurance, began to suffer serious health problems.

"He had a heart attack at age 50, from which he recovered. But he also had diabetes. He lost his eyesight and some fingers, ...