Novembe 10, 2011

Joint Finance Works to Advance Proposal to Eliminate Health Care Access for 65,000 Wisconsin Citizens

MADISON- Thursday, fresh on the heels of a special legislative session on jobs that saw the advancement of seven proposals to limit access to reproductive health care and information, the Joint Finance Committee worked to advance a proposal that once again will eliminate health care access for 65,000 Wisconsin citizens including 29,000 children. The BadgerCare Plus and Medicaid proposals backed by Governor Walker, have been introduced in an effort to close a $500 million state budget gap. The proposed reductions which will adversely affect 350,000 women, men and children, come after GOP members eliminated $1 million in state funds for nonprofit safety net health care providers, like Planned Parenthood and in a time of economic distress.

“The proposed reduction in health care access for 65,000 Wisconsinites could not come at a worse time,” said Tanya Atkinson Executive Director of PPAWI. “In this time of economic distress we should be prioritizing efforts to protect and enhance access to essential health care programs, like BadgerCare.”

Thanks to the bipartisan efforts to establish the BadgerCare program, 1 in 5 Wisconsinites have come to rely on BadgerCare for affordable, high-quality health insurance. Governor Walker and the Wisconsin State Legislature controlled by republicans prioritized the passage of $2 billion in corporate tax breaks in the 2011-2013 biennial budget while cutting working families off from their health insurance.

“Talk about wrong priorities. This session, during an economic downturn when people need more support, we have instead seen an aggressive attack on women’s health, working families and children all while dolling out corporate tax breaks. Walker’s proposals showcase a dramatic shift in direction for the state of Wisconsin where corporate give aways are prioritized over the healthcare needs of Wisconsin’s working families.”

Despite significant funding cuts and continued attacks on reproductive health care, Planned Parenthood will continue to stand by the Wisconsin women, children and families who need access to affordable high quality healthcare. For over 75 years, building healthy communities has been the mission of Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin. Each year PPWI serves the health care needs for 70,000 women, men and their families including lifesaving cancer-screenings, birth control, STD prevention and treatment as well as annual health exams and sexual health education. For more information visit us at PPWI.org.