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Home > BizTimes Daily > Archives > October 31, 2008
Feds approve Wisconsin plan to cover more of the uninsured
Published October 31, 2008 - BizTimes Daily
Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle announced today that his administration has reached an agreement in principle to expand the BadgerCare Plus system to provide health care insurance coverage for uninsured adults who do not have children.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services granted Wisconsin a five-year waiver to expand its BadgerCare Plus program.
Under the proposal, those who are uninsured and who do not have children under their care may now have access to primary and preventive care. Adults who may be able to enroll can make no more than 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level ($20,800 each year for a single person and $28,000 for a married couple) each year. For current federal poverty level guidelines, go to badgercareplus.org/fpl.htm.
"Today we cleared one of the final hurdles on the way toward my goal of providing access to health insurance for 98 percent of Wisconsin residents," Doyle said. "However, the significant downturn in the national economy, and its effect on the state's fiscal situation, will challenge our ability to quickly extend this program."
Doyle thanked the bipartisan Wisconsin Congressional delegation for working with him to encourage the federal government to support the expansion of the program.
U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) said an estimated 81,000 chronically uninsured adult Wisconsin residents will have access to health care coverage as a result of the expansion.
"BadgerCare Plus epitomizes Wisconsin's proud tradition of reforming our social safety nets though innovation and empowerment. I was proud to work with the Wisconsin Congressional delegation, state and federal officials in advocating for this waiver," Ryan said. "I will continue my efforts to push for comprehensive health care reform – boosting transparency, portability, affordability, and access to private health insurance coverage."
U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wis.) said, "I congratulate Gov. Doyle for securing an agreement with the federal government to extend BadgerCare Plus to ensure more Wisconsinites have access to health care. This approach to lowering the number of uninsured in the state without increasing costs demonstrates once again that Wisconsin is a leader in creating innovative solutions to some of our country's most complex health care challenges."
