A survey of farmers suggests that nearly a quarter are having financial problems because of health care costs.

The survey report was released Tuesday by The Access Project. The survey was sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The study states were Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota.

The report says farmers with financial problems spend 42 percent of their incomes on health insurance premiums and out-of-pocket health care expenses.

In Nebraska, 49 percent of farmers and ranchers surveyed say they spend more than 10 percent of their incomes on health care.

A total of 2,017 surveys were completed. The response rate was 80 percent.

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: http://www.rwjf.org.

The Access Project: http:www.accessproject.org