We can expect state legislators to renew debate over a universal health care plan, despite public opposition, AND opposition from Governor Doyle. That from George Lightbourn, President of the conservative-leaning Wisconsin Policy Research Institute. "Senator Decker, the majority leader in the Senate, has publicly stated that he fully intends to reintroduce Healthy Wisconsin," notes Lightbourn. "The danger is, if Healthy Wisconsin were enacted, that we're likely to see a fairly substantial immigration into Wisconsin, and I think most people would say for all the wrong reasons."
Lightbourn's group is out with a study that claims Wisconsin would be a "magnet" for those with chronic illnesses from other states if the plan were enacted, and also claims it would cost state taxpayers more than a half-billion dollars a year.
"Our institute hopes that it does not pass, but we take Senator Decker very seriously," says Lightbourn. "Governor Doyle has consistently said that he does not support Healthy Wisconsin, or any initiative that would provide universal coverage just for Wisconsin, and we think the governor's right on in his comments there."