MADISON, Wis. – A report released today from the Wisconsin Policy Forum provides historical context on Wisconsin’s unique approach to BadgerCare expansion and lays out the issues Wisconsinites from every corner of the state still face when it comes to the affordability of health care. The report wraps up by analyzing possible solutions.
“From the patient perspective, the solution lawmakers should consider is fully expanding BadgerCare,” said Sara Sahli, Wisconsin government relations director for ACS CAN. “Expansion will put health care in reach for more than 90,000 Wisconsinites in the affordability gap and reduce the number of individuals without health insurance.”
BadgerCare expansion would benefit nearly 90,000 limited-income Wisconsin residents - including 61,000 parents.
“One finding from this report that is largely missing from the debate is that residents of rural counties in Wisconsin are the most likely to benefit from BadgerCare expansion,” said Sahli. “Making health care more affordable allows our friends and neighbors to take care of themselves and their families, pay their bills and go to work.”
The report, demonstrating that expanding BadgerCare would mean lower costs for premiums, deductibles, and copays for limited income Wisconsin residents, comes after ACS CAN’s August poll showing that Wisconsinites already struggle with medical debt. In that poll, 7 in 10 Wisconsin voters (70%) report they or an immediate family member currently have or have had medical debt.
ACS CAN and its Wisconsin volunteers will be sharing this report with elected officials and continuing to educate them on what it would mean to patients to expand BadgerCare. Elected leaders must use their power to make it more affordable for Wisconsinites to get their recommended cancer screenings and see a doctor when they are sick.
View the full report: https://wispolicyforum.org/research/the-picture-of-health-considering-medicaid-expansion-in-wisconsin/
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About ACS CAN
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) advocates for evidence-based public policies to reduce the cancer burden for everyone. We engage our volunteers across the country to make their voices heard by policymakers at every level of government. We believe everyone should have a fair and just opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer. Since 2001, as the American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN has successfully advocated for billions of dollars in cancer research funding, expanded access to quality affordable health care, and advanced proven tobacco control measures. We stand with our volunteers, working to make cancer a top priority for policymakers in cities, states and our nation’s capital. Join the fight by visiting www.fightcancer.org.