The state is expanding who can qualify for Wisconsin's BadgerCare Plus program.
Governor Jim Doyle says low-income adults without dependent children can now receive state health insurance coverage, which can be very important for those who have lost a job or just can't afford coverage when their employer doesn't provide it.
The expansion of BadgerCare Plus will provide basic coverage for those who have been without insurance for at least 12 months and have a family income at or below 200-percent of the federal poverty level. There will still be a basic cost for the program, but Doyle says they'll at least have some coverage to help protect them.
The expansion is funded through money collected by a hospital assessment approved by lawmakers earlier this year.