Democratic state lawmakers and advocates gather for an eleventh hour push to urge the legislature’s Joint Finance Committee to accept federal money meant to expand BadgerCare. The committee today is taking up a state budget proposal that would reject the Obamacare money.
“Every Midwest state around us has accepted the federal aid,” said Senator Nikiya Harris.
Governor Walker has expressed concerns of Wisconsin taxpayers being on-the-hook if Washington doesn’t keep its pledge to fund additional persons in the program.
A part-time worker at a domestic abuse home said most of its residents rely on BadgerCare. “Taking health care insurance away from these women and me will only make our lives harder,” said Fran Warner, a mother of two who is also a recipient of the Medicaid program.
The governor’s plan is to shift tens of thousands of BadgerCare recipients into the upcoming private health insurance exchanges.
AUDIO: Milwaukee resident Tammy Torres on why BadgerCare should be expanded (1:58)
