The state's budget woes could delay an expansion of BadgerCare Plus.
Governor Jim Doyle says the projected $5.4 billion budget hole could hold up plans that would allow more people to access the state's BadgerCare Plus program. Doyle says he has no intention of abandoning those plans, but could consider pushing them back "six months to a year" if needed.
Doyle wants to allow more adults to access health insurance through at least BadgerCare Plus. He says the move can cut costs and save the state money. Doyle says that's already been the case with efforts to enroll all uninsured children in BadgerCare, with doctors saying they no longer have to pass the cost of care on to people with insurance.
The state did recently announced a deal with the federal government to provide BadgerCare benefits to childless adults, but that could also be delayed due to the economic downturn.