Democrats to hold public hearing on proposed Health Care Cuts

Walker Administration’s Plan Means Higher Health Insurance Costs, Less Coverage for Wisconsin Families

MADISON – Sen. Jon Erpenbach (D-Middleton) and Rep. Jon Richards (D-Milwaukee) announced today that they will host a public hearing on Thursday, November 10^th to encourage people to share their opinions about the Walker Administration’s plan to cut $554 million from the health care plans that cover state residents.

“On the same day Secretary Smith will be in front of the Joint Finance Committee as an invited speaker, we will be providing an opportunity for real people to share their personal stories at a true ‘Public Hearing’”, said Sen. Erpenbach. “I invite our Republican colleagues to come hear from people who will have to live with their changes - the senior citizens, children, families and individuals with disabilities that this proposal will greatly impact.”

This hearing is part of a series being hosted by Democrats statewide in response to the proposal that was announced by the Department of Health Services a month ago.  A hearing was held in La Crosse last month and hearings are scheduled for Eau Claire (November 11^th), Wausau (November 14^th), Oshkosh (November 18^th) and Green Bay (November 21^st) and other locations in the coming weeks.

Governor Walker and legislative Republicans gave $2.3 billion in tax breaks to large corporations, wealthy individuals and special interests this year, and now they are looking to make up the money by taking it out on people whose needs are even greater doing these difficult economic times.

“These are significant changes that will affect the affordability of health care and result in more Wisconsin families becoming uninsured,” said Rep. Richards.  “When this proposal was first introduced I requested a joint public hearing of the Senate and Assembly Health Committees, but since that hearing has yet to be scheduled Democratic lawmakers are creating a venue to hear from the people.”

Sen. Erpenbach is the ranking Democrat on the Senate Committee on Health and Rep. Richards is the ranking Democrat on the Assembly Health Committee.

WHAT:            Public Hearing on Health Care Cuts

WHEN:                        Thursday, November 10^th – 10:30 a.m.

WHERE:           Wisconsin State Capitol, Room 400 NE