LARSON WEEKLY REPORT - December 1, 2011

Senator Chris Larson, 7th District

December 2, 2011

Proper Notice for Changes to Health Safety Net

Just last month we learned that the Governor and his administration opted to cut $554 million from Wisconsin's health safety net that children, working families and seniors desperately need. Gutting funding from this vital state program will trigger an immediate and unexpected health care catastrophe for many Wisconsinites. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) anticipates that almost 65,000 Wisconsinites, including almost 30,000 pregnant women and children, will lose their health care coverage through BadgerCare as a result of these cuts.

BadgerCare is a program that was created with bipartisan support under former Governor Tommy Thompson. Currently, about one out of five Wisconsin residents rely on BadgerCare or Medicaid for their health care needs. The number of individuals enrolled in the state's Medicaid programs has been steadily increasing in recent years due to the ongoing recession and increased health care costs, making it one of the worst times to consider additional cuts to our health safety net.

Under current law, the Department of Health Services must provide a Medicaid or BadgerCare beneficiary only 10 days notice before implementing any changes to their coverage, which is simply not enough time for individuals to make alternative arrangements. I am co-sponsoring LRB 2407, legislation that will require the Department of Health Services to provide 60 days notice, in writing and in clear language, before any changes can be made to a beneficiary’s coverage.

If the Governor insists on making sweeping changes, endangering those who rely on BadgerCare and other Medicaid programs, the least we can do is provide adequate notice. In the face of these tough economic times, we should do whatever possible to ease the burden on Wisconsin families who depend on these safety net programs. For this reason I will be strongly supporting LRB 2407.

CLICK HERE to view a copy of this bill.
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Email: Sen.Larson@legis.wi.gov

Office Phone: (608) 266-7505
Toll-free Phone: (800) 361-5487

Mailing Address:
State Capitol
P.O. Box 7882
Madison, WI 53707

Web Site:
SenatorChrisLarson.com
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Milwaukee Professionals Association ask that you support this BILL by letting your representatives (local-state-federal) know that you want them to support this BILL.
Also, give a holler to Senator Larson of your approval for his "leadership" in the public square to provide BETTER CUSTOMER CARE to Wisconsinites.