While providing services to Green County citizens, I have become acutely aware of the problems individuals and families face when they lack health insurance. Families who have to choose between paying for basic needs and paying for health insurance contact our unit on a regular basis.
While health coverage through government programs such as BadgerCare Plus assist many families, there are "holes" in this program, leaving out single individuals or younger couples without children, regardless of income. Individuals who aren't insured and cannot obtain government assistance oftentimes will wait to seek health care, becoming seriously ill in the process, because they have no means to pay for the care they need. This can result in more serious complications for themselves and an additional strain on our health care providers who must provide expensive treatment with no reimbursement.
A 2007 Wisconsin Health Rankings Report issued by University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health indicates 12 percent of Green County residents under age 65 have no form of health care coverage. Compared to the other 71 counties in Wisconsin, Green County ranked 58th, one of the worst rankings in the state, for the percentage of uninsured individuals.
Nationally, the week of April 27th is "Cover the Uninsured" week. As a member of the Green County Cover the Uninsured Coalition, I urge you to attend a roundtable discussion at 1:30 p.m. Monday, April 28 at the Monroe Clinic's Founders Hall to hear more about the uninsured issue, to listen and respond to your local elected officials, and to learn about new health care options that may lessen the number of uninsured in Green County.
I hope to see many of you at this local event.
- Blumer is W-2/economic support supervisor for Green County Human Services and also a member of the Green County Cover the Uninsured Coalition.
While health coverage through government programs such as BadgerCare Plus assist many families, there are "holes" in this program, leaving out single individuals or younger couples without children, regardless of income. Individuals who aren't insured and cannot obtain government assistance oftentimes will wait to seek health care, becoming seriously ill in the process, because they have no means to pay for the care they need. This can result in more serious complications for themselves and an additional strain on our health care providers who must provide expensive treatment with no reimbursement.
A 2007 Wisconsin Health Rankings Report issued by University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health indicates 12 percent of Green County residents under age 65 have no form of health care coverage. Compared to the other 71 counties in Wisconsin, Green County ranked 58th, one of the worst rankings in the state, for the percentage of uninsured individuals.
Nationally, the week of April 27th is "Cover the Uninsured" week. As a member of the Green County Cover the Uninsured Coalition, I urge you to attend a roundtable discussion at 1:30 p.m. Monday, April 28 at the Monroe Clinic's Founders Hall to hear more about the uninsured issue, to listen and respond to your local elected officials, and to learn about new health care options that may lessen the number of uninsured in Green County.
I hope to see many of you at this local event.
- Blumer is W-2/economic support supervisor for Green County Human Services and also a member of the Green County Cover the Uninsured Coalition.
