Wisconsin: Even More Walker Headaches Over BadgerCare

[Scuba]

http://www.citizenactionwi.org/even_more_walker_headaches_over_badgercare

Yet another change is being sought to the state's BadgerCare program. As you are no doubt familiar, Walker has received frequent criticism for his rejection of federal enhanced Medicaid funds to fill in the gaps in BadgerCare. After rejecting the funds he opted to cover some under the federal poverty line and kick others currently on the program off (mainly parents). When it became clear that those being forced off of BadgerCare may not have enough time to enroll in the ACA marketplace without a gap in coverage, a special session was called to try and give those forced off of BadgerCare more time but in the process denying those below the poverty line access to the program for months at a time.

On top of that, as reported by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Monday Dec 30th: "In addition, the Walker administration also informed lawmakers Monday that the state's overall Medicaid programs faced a projected shortfall of about $93 million in state tax dollars"

...

Now the new changes: Walker's Dept of Health Services Secretary Kitty Rhoades sent a letter saying that to do Walker's plan of delaying care to some means that they cannot reject parents and caretakers over the poverty line for coverage now. But these parents and caretakers only have a short window, and will still be kicked off BadgerCare come March 31st. If you are a parent or caretaker between 100-200% of the federal poverty line you can sign up for BadgerCare for coverage during February and March but you MUST enroll by February 1st. While this is good news for those impacted, they have exactly a month to enroll and will only have it for a short period so unfortunately it is hardly the best of all possible options.

All this headache and heartache for families and communities comes at too great a cost. This hobbled together system of covering some, denying others and forcing tens of thousands off of BadgerCare doesn't need to happen. This is just further proof that Walker's BadgerCare changes must be scraped; enough is enough, accept the federal Medicaid funds for BadgerCare!

[NYC_SKP]

1. "Badgercare"? Really, Wisconsin, "BadgerCare"? Good grief.

Who the fuck came up with that name?

?????

[Scuba]

2. Tommy Thompson, as I recall.

But don't count on my memory.

[elfin]

4. I think it was Tommy as well

I think the program was not a bad one and served many people who needed it for many years.

Thompson was a glad-handing standard issue Rethug pol who looks better and better in the rear view mirror in contrast to Weasel Walker.

I suspect Tommy is horrified at the turn of Rethug politics in Wisconsin ---- but if he could make some money by endorsing it, he would take it and run.

Don't know where he is now, though.

[postulater]

3. Hell, they call New York the Big Apple!

Who came up with that?

[elfin]

5. We are the Badger state. Eom

[NYC_SKP]

6. Well, if you say so, GO BADGERS!!!

I was worried that it might be too closely related to sports and teams and things that only the privileged can really refer to.

I mean if the most people in the state are all about Badger Power, then, yay cool!

[Jackpine Radical]

7. Badgercare has actually been a very good plan in many ways.

While its coverage of dental care, for example, has been abysmal, for the past couple of decades WI has had a much better-than-average percentage of its people, particularly in the lower SES brackets, covered with some kind of health insurance due to Badgercare. For as much as I despise the fat weasel, Tommy wasn't all bad.

[Ellipsis]

10. agreed. 100%

[riversedge]

8. well, the Badger IS our state animal. And we ARE the Wisconsin BADGERS!

[NYC_SKP]

9. Are you all like the BadAss Honey Badger?

I hope so!

It's pretty bad ass!

[dragonlady]

12. Here's a link to all you want to know about our mascot, Bucky Badger

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bucky_Badger

As you can see from his expression, he is plenty bad-ass.