This week we "celebrated" Cover the Uninsured Week and were reminded of more than 500,000 people in Wisconsin without health insurance. There were forums and discussions all over Wisconsin regarding this issue that continues to be a problem for all of Wisconsin. Included in the week activities was a push for sign up for BadgerCare Plus; the programs enrollment toped 71,000 this week.
When someone does not have health insurance or they have inadequate health insurance, they let small illnesses become emergent health care needs because they simply cannot afford to go to the doctor when they are ill. Emergency room visits that are not paid for by insurance companies are paid for by everyone. In addition, the cost to employers and sick individuals is significant. Families USA estimates that nearly five working-age Wisconsinites die each week due to lack of health insurance.
Healthy Wisconsin, a plan that would give everyone the same health care legislators and the governor have, while allowing you to visit your own doctor, did not pass before the end of session. We cannot and will not abandon health care as an issue because we continue to see uninsured and underinsured individuals in the richest country in the world.
The main opposition to Healthy Wisconsin and other plans that provide health care for people, have said that the market will solve the problem and that consumers need to be able to make better choices in health care. I don't know about you, but the last time I got sick, really sick, I was certainly glad I didn't have to call around to get the cheapest price for the cheapest doctor. This is not shoe sales or even home sales, this is health care and people's lives. In extensive GAO-conducted focus groups of employees with Health Savings Accounts related high-deductible health plans, most did not research costs before obtaining health care services.
A Milwaukee Journal Sentinel story this week on an Aon survey of health insurers reported that insurance companies plan to raise premiums on businesses and the people they insure by double digits again this coming year. There has to be a point where people and their legislators say enough is enough. We all know that tinkering around the edges will not make a difference; it is just the same old story.
There is good news on the health care coverage front with the boon of the BadgerCare Plus program. BadgerCare and BadgerCare Plus are highly successful programs that have significantly expanded health insurance for children in Wisconsin. As of this week, 71,000 people have been added to the BadgerCare Plus program, which was expanded in the last state budget. For more information on BadgerCare Plus and Healthy Wisconsin, contact my office at (608) 266-6670 or (888) 549-0027.
- Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D-Waunakee, represents the 27th Senate District, which includes Green County and parts of Dane, Rock and Lafayette counties.
When someone does not have health insurance or they have inadequate health insurance, they let small illnesses become emergent health care needs because they simply cannot afford to go to the doctor when they are ill. Emergency room visits that are not paid for by insurance companies are paid for by everyone. In addition, the cost to employers and sick individuals is significant. Families USA estimates that nearly five working-age Wisconsinites die each week due to lack of health insurance.
Healthy Wisconsin, a plan that would give everyone the same health care legislators and the governor have, while allowing you to visit your own doctor, did not pass before the end of session. We cannot and will not abandon health care as an issue because we continue to see uninsured and underinsured individuals in the richest country in the world.
The main opposition to Healthy Wisconsin and other plans that provide health care for people, have said that the market will solve the problem and that consumers need to be able to make better choices in health care. I don't know about you, but the last time I got sick, really sick, I was certainly glad I didn't have to call around to get the cheapest price for the cheapest doctor. This is not shoe sales or even home sales, this is health care and people's lives. In extensive GAO-conducted focus groups of employees with Health Savings Accounts related high-deductible health plans, most did not research costs before obtaining health care services.
A Milwaukee Journal Sentinel story this week on an Aon survey of health insurers reported that insurance companies plan to raise premiums on businesses and the people they insure by double digits again this coming year. There has to be a point where people and their legislators say enough is enough. We all know that tinkering around the edges will not make a difference; it is just the same old story.
There is good news on the health care coverage front with the boon of the BadgerCare Plus program. BadgerCare and BadgerCare Plus are highly successful programs that have significantly expanded health insurance for children in Wisconsin. As of this week, 71,000 people have been added to the BadgerCare Plus program, which was expanded in the last state budget. For more information on BadgerCare Plus and Healthy Wisconsin, contact my office at (608) 266-6670 or (888) 549-0027.
- Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D-Waunakee, represents the 27th Senate District, which includes Green County and parts of Dane, Rock and Lafayette counties.
