Saturday, March 30, 2013

Research Report: Walker’s Medicaid Plan Will Force Veterans from BadgerCare
STATEWIDE – Just released data from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Urban Institute reveal that Governor Walker’s plan to reject billions in federal Medicaid funds from the Affordable Care Act will lead to a denial of access to BadgerCare for Wisconsin’s veterans and their families. The report, done for each state, reveals that nationally 4 out of 10 uninsured veterans and one in four uninsured spouses have an income below the limit that would ensure they would receive access to Medicaid as originally provided in the Affordable Care Act.. However, with Governor Walker rejecting these federal Medicaid funds, this access is threatened for Wisconsin low income veterans.

The report reveals that in Wisconsin 1,200 uninsured veterans are between 100% and 138% of the federal poverty line, meaning that while they would have been eligible for BadgerCare under the Affordable Care Act, Walker’s rejection of federal Medicaid funds denies them this option. Additionally impacted at military families. According to the report there are approximately 500 spouses of veterans in Wisconsin in this income range. Because of  Walker’s decision, 1,700 uninsured veterans and spouses will be denied access to BadgerCare that will be guaranteed veterans in neighboring states under the Affordable Care Act.

"It is unfortunate and deeply disturbing that we are allowing veterans and their families to suffer by denying them BadgerCare where we could have covered them," said Mark Flower, Director of Community Programs at DryHootch of America, a Milwaukee organization dedicated to helping veterans and their families. "What disturbs me even more is that this report doesn't even include National Guard and Reservists, and their family members, how many more will this BadgerCare decision ultimately affect?”

“This report reminds the citizens of Wisconsin how little thought the Walker Administration put into protecting the health and well-being of our citizens when they made the decision to reject federal funds for BadgerCare,” said Kevin Kane, Healthcare Organizer at Citizen Action of Wisconsin. “Like the revelation that the Governor’s decision would have originally kicked off pregnant women from BadgerCare, there are dire consequences of Walker’s BadgerCare decision for our veterans and their families.”

The Governor’s decision to reject federal funds for BadgerCare will force over 80,000 people off the program, and cost Wisconsin $100 million more this budget alone. This decision can be overturned at any time during the budget process, and in future years..

Source - Urban Institute, March 2013, “Uninsured Veterans and Family Members: State and National Estimates of Expanded Medicaid Eligibility Under the ACA” http://www.urban.org/uploadedpdf/412775-Uninsured-Veterans-and-Family-Members.pdf

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Not a Save BadgerCare event - but passing on to members in case you want to be involved individually. 

Kids and Seniors will be uniting to rally against the House Budget in Janesville, Wisconsin, on Thursday, April 4, 2013, at 10:00 a.m., at Blackhawk Technical College, 6004 S. County Road G.

Every Child Matters (ECM) and the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare (NCPSSM) are working together to highlight the negative effects of the House budget, which would force long-term defunding of important safety net programs, some of which are already wounded by the across-the-board cuts initiated this March. Congressman Mark Pocan, who represents portions of Rock County, will also speak at the rally, showing his support for no cuts.  The multigenerational event in Rock County should focus needed attention on kid’s issues in the federal budget.

Additional speakers at the event are Max Richtman, President/CEO of NCPSSM; Michael Petit, President of ECM and Board Member, Children’s Leadership Council (CLC); a senior and a child or parent to be announced.

If you want to learn more about the event and ways your organization can participate if interested, you are invited to join a preliminary planning call on Friday, March 29 from Noon-1:00 p.m..  Call toll free at 888-537-7715, then enter code 57335400#.

Or you can pass on the link below to your members and they can sign up to participate individually - http://www.everychildmatters.org/wisconsin/rally-in-janesville.

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Moveon Petition



Dear Wisconsin MoveOn member,
Governor Scott Walker has refused to take federal dollars to expand BadgerCare (Wisconsin's version of Medicaid), and we have until June to change his mind. We need to tell him how important this program is to Wisconsin.
That's why I created a petition on SignOn.org to the Wisconsin Legislature and Governor Scott Walker, urging them to follow the lead of Republican governors like Rick Scott, John Kasich, and Chris Christie by taking the money available under Obamacare and expanding BadgerCare for the sake of Wisconsin's working families.
Thanks!
–John Hardin

Monday, March 25, 2013


Make Your Voice Heard at State Budget Public Hearings
The Joint Finance Committee will hold four public hearings around the state to get feedback from Wisconsinites regarding the 2013-2015 State Budget. The hearings will be held in Greendale (4/4), Green Bay (4/8), Lake Delton (4/10), and Baldwin (4/18). 
Please review our issue briefs on child care, WI Shares, public education, Medicaid, health care, taxes and revenue, and the WCCF Legislative Advocacy Guide to help prepare you for the hearings.   
The State Budget has a big impact on children and families.  Are you concerned about your child's school?  Has freezing the rates for WI Shares made it hard for you to pay for child care?  Will the proposed changes to BadgerCare make you lose your coverage even though your children stay in the program?  All of these are important questions and you can go to the hearing and ask your questions to the committee. 
If you are unable to attend a public hearing but still want to be heard, submit your written comments to budgetcomments@legis.wisconsin.gov or mail them to JFC Clerk, Room 305 East, State Capitol, Madison, WI 53702.
 

Friday, March 22, 2013

Raising the Status of Wisconsin Women's Health
Wisconsin's women's health policy leader
Wisconsin Women Have A Lot to Celebrate on the 3rd Anniversary of the Affordable Care Act
 
Since the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in March of 2010, we have recognized the many ways Wisconsin women are and can continue to win with meaningful health care reform.  More than ever, women need comprehensive access to affordable and quality care for themselves and their families.  The Wisconsin Alliance for Women's Health remains steadfast in our efforts to raise awareness of and appreciation for this unprecedented opportunity to meet the health and economic security needs of Wisconsin of residents.

Already Wisconsin women are benefiting from such ACA provisions as preventive services available without co-pays and deductibles, and allowing dependent children to stay on their family policy until their 26th birthday.  Today children cannot be denied insurance due to a pre-existing condition and this will be applied to everyone as of January 2014. No longer will insurance companies be able to use gender as a pre-existing condition and either deny coverage to women or charge them more than men.  

To learn more about about our work around health care reform, visit our Raising Wisconsin Women's Voices site at www.raisingwiwomensvoices. org or our blog at rwwv.wordpress.com.

What's Happening with the ACA in Wisconsin?
Need to catch up on how the ACA works and where implementation is going in Wisconsin? Check out and share this What's Happening with the Affordable Care Act? Fact Sheet.
Wisconsin's Budget Proposal-Part III: “Medicaid Common $en$e”
How will Governor Scott Walker's proposed budget impact health coverage in Wisconsin? In the third episode of this series, your hosts Bobby and Brynne continue to look at the proposed state budget cuts to BadgerCare Plus and Medicaid enrollment and coverage.
Click here or on the image at the right to watch the episode!
Miss an episode? Visit our WATCHDOG LIBRARY to catch up on topics from Season 4 or Season 5!

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Wisconsin's Budget Proposal-Part 2: “The Faulty Justifications for “WalkerCare”



Click here or on the image at the right to watch the episode!
Miss an episode? Visit our WATCHDOG LIBRARY to catch up on topics from Season 4 or Season 5!

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Wisconsin's Budget Proposal-Part 1: "Medicaid Expansion?"
How will Governor Scott Walker's proposed budget impact health coverage in Wisconsin? In this episode, your hosts Bobby and Brynne look at the proposed state budget’s cuts to BadgerCare Plus and Medicaid enrollment and coverage.
Click here or on the image at the right to watch the episode!
Miss an episode? Visit our WATCHDOG LIBRARY to catch up on topics from Season 4 or Season 5!

Monday, March 4, 2013

Why Don't You Tell Us What You Really Think

http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/article/20130221/WDH06/302210022/Dennis-Smith-column-budget-brings-needed-entitlement-reform

The sheer amount of contempt dripping from from Smith's comments about those in need are truly repulsive. The mercy you show is the mercy you shall receive!