Tracy Wirtanen of Appleton is thrilled with the health care changes. Her son Sami has Neurofibromatosis, which is a genetic disorder, causing tumors to form on nerve tissue. “We’re so happy that he can no longer be denied insurance coverage for a preexisting condition and we’re also super happy that there’s no cap on care for him.”
Advocates say lifetime limits for healthcare coverage could put families in bankruptcy. New national standards also prohibit insurance industries from rescinding policies; children will be able to stay on their parent’s policies until they are 26 years old; and preventive care will be required without co-pays and deductibles.
Senator Jon Erpenbach, the Chair of the Senate Health Committee, says without this legislation many people are denied insurance through no fault of their own, such as Sami. “Just because he was born apparently he becomes a preexisting condition.” Erpenbach says the provisions are common sense, and should have already been the law of the land.
Representative Jon Richards, Chair of the Assembly Health Care Reform Committee calls today’s change in the health care law a real victory for Wisconsin families, who are “paying through the nose” for health care insurance. Wisconsin Commissioner of Insurance Sean Dilweg will enforce the new protections that went into effect Thursday.