Wisconsin physicians urge state legislators to join the 40 states that have expanded Medicaid
(MGN)
Wisconsin physicians called on state legislators to join the 40 other states that have expanded Medicaid on Tuesday July 30th, the 59th anniversary of Medicaid. Nearly 150 Wisconsin medical professionals signed a letter calling for the action as part of commemorations of President Lyndon Johnson signing the law the created Medicaid and Medicare in 1965.
Eligibility under an expanded BadgerCare, Wisconsin’s version of Medicare, would rise from 100% of the federal poverty level to 138%, equivalent to a household income of $43,000 a year for a Wisconsin family of four, as allowed under the Affordable Care Act. Of the nearly 90,000 working Wisconsinites who would be eligible for Badger care with an expansion, more than 30,000 are currently uninsured.
Gov. Tony Evers has proposed expanding BadgerCare in his two-year budget, although General Assembly Speaker Robin Vos vowed to oppose any expansion, saying: “As long as I am the assembly speaker, Medicaid expansion will never happen.”
AP Newsroom states in October of 2018 Vos said, “Medicaid can’t cover patient costs as it is, forcing the private sector to pick up the tab. Expanding the rolls would mean the private sector would have to subsidize even more people.”
The Committee physicians argue that based on data, Medicaid expansion saved the lives of at least 19,200 adults aged 55 to 64 between 2014 and 2017. Conversely, 15,600 older adults died prematurely due to state decisions not to expand Medicaid.
“Every day I see how timely treatment, therapy and medical intervention can make a difference between getting back to good health and resuming normal activities, versus continued suffering, more pain, and worse outcomes,” said Dr. Barbara Hostetler, an OB/GYN in Verona. “On the anniversary of Medicaid, we urge Speaker Vos and other legislative leaders who’ve opposed expansion to think of patients like ours who are just trying to get by, manage their health conditions, and continue working and caring for their families. They deserve health care – and an expansion of BadgerCare.”