Stakeholder groups in the health insurance industry are asking Governor Scott Walker to consider how self-insuring state employees could impact Wisconsin’s health care market and economy.
Phil Dougherty is senior executive officer of the Wisconsin Association of Health Plans — 17 of which now participate in the State Group Health Program, providing benefits to nearly 250,000 people.
“Generally when there is greater competition and more choices in a market, we see lower costs and better quality,” Dougherty said. “The self funding proposal would abandon that market competition.”
Walker has proposed having the state get in the business of health insurance and ensure the costs of covering state employees and their families. Providers are concerned.
“They understand that self funding the state group health program could have negative consequences for the consumers, for the taxpayers of the state and Wisconsin’s competitive market,” Dougherty said.
Walker spokesman Tom Evenson said the governor “appreciates this input and will take these concerns into consideration.”
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