Madison, WI – Wisconsin Democrats are again proposing legislation to expand access to the state’s BadgerCare Plus health insurance program, this time through a “public option” that would allow any Wisconsin resident to buy into the existing plan. Representative Tara Johnson (D-Town of Shelby) announced the bill Tuesday, citing rising healthcare costs as a primary driver for the renewed effort.
The proposed legislation aims to offer a more affordable healthcare alternative, particularly for those who do not qualify for existing BadgerCare benefits or find private insurance too expensive. Currently, eligibility for BadgerCare is limited to single residents earning under $15,960 annually and families of three with incomes less than $33,000, according to recent reports. The public option bill seeks to raise those income thresholds to over $30,000 for a single person and over $60,000 for families.
Advocates point to a growing healthcare affordability crisis in Wisconsin. A Rand Report cited by Citizen Action of Wisconsin found that the state has the highest hospital prices in the Midwest and the fifth highest in the nation, attributing the issue to hospital consolidation and a lack of price transparency. According to a recent statement from Representative Johnson, 52% of Wisconsinites delayed or skipped medical care in the past year due to cost, even among those with insurance.
Citizen Action of Wisconsin, a key advocacy group supporting the bill, highlighted the challenges faced by small business owners and individuals navigating the current healthcare system. Kate Felton, a small business owner in Eau Claire, shared her experience of facing healthcare debt after losing her husband’s insurance plan. “Despite my due diligence, I still have claims denied that I have to sort out,” Felton said Friday during a discussion hosted by Citizen Action. “This system is not working. It is not working for small business owners. It’s not working for anyone.”
Dr. Robert Kraig, executive director of Citizen Action of Wisconsin, praised the bill’s potential to provide affordable options to a broader range of people, including those earning up to 200% of the federal poverty level. Evan Daniels, a small business owner, noted that insurance costs for his employees were projected to increase by an average of $1,800 per year.
The bill also garnered support from Indiana Houser, who shared her personal struggles with affording medication and medical appointments whereas lacking employer-sponsored insurance. “I’m now in a situation where I have to decide each month which medications I can afford and how many doctors appointments I can afford,” Houser stated. “Nobody should have to decide between rent and groceries or their medication.”
The proposal comes as enhanced subsidies for Affordable Care Act plans have expired, leading to increased premiums for many. Senator Chris Larson (D-Milwaukee) emphasized that the BadgerCare public option would offer “significantly lower costs” in response to these rising financial burdens.
As of Monday, no date has been set for a vote on the legislation.
