The State Department of Health and Family Services is launching a major push to help residents access affordable healthcare.
Nearly 90-percent of Wisconsin residents have access to health insurance, but DHFS Secretary Karen Timberlake says many low-income families go without coverage. She says many end up in trouble when facing a health crisis because they have to go to an emergency room, rather than getting preventative care with a primary care physician.
To help them access that care, a series of BadgerCare Plus enrollment fairs are being held around the state this week. The program is designed to offer affordable healthcare coverage to people who normally don't have access to care. Fairs will be held in Madison Monday, in Eau Claire Tuesday, Milwaukee on Wednesday, Green Bay on Thursday, and Friday in Wausau.
All children in the state qualify BadgerCare Plus, with nearly 45,000 having enrolled since February.. Timberlake says parents meeting certain income guidelines can also enroll.
Information about qualifying for the program is available online or by calling 1-800-362-3002.
AUDIO: Andrew Beckett reports (MP3 1:07)
