Health & Wellness

Few issues are of more importance to our families than health care. We in Wisconsin are fortunate to have access to some of the nation's leading hospitals, clinics, and health care providers. Despite our wealth of medical technology and knowledge, however, too many in our area lack health insurance, worry about losing their insurance, or are faced with the unique health care challenges posed by living in rural areas. I continue to fight to make health care more affordable and more accessible for the people of western Wisconsin.

Health Insurance for Family Farmers and Small Business Owners
The United States is in the middle of a health care crisis. 43 million Americans lack health insurance, and 80% of those without health insurance are members of a family with one working adult. The numbers for farmers are even more sobering: 10% of Wisconsin farm families are completely uninsured, and almost 20% of dairy farm families lack insurance. Clearly, it is past time for our country to help these working men and women provide health insurance for their families. In an effort to address this growing problem, I was proud to introduce HR 2850, The Small Employer and Family Farmer Health Benefits Program Act of 2003. Based on the successful Federal Employee Health Benefits Plan, HR 2850, would create a health insurance pool for farmers and employees of businesses with fewer than 100 people. Subsidies and incentives would be available to businesses with fewer than 100 employees and to individuals earning below 200% of the poverty level. This legislation will create opportunities for the uninsured and the underinsured alike.

Fighting Disease
Heart disease, cancer, and stroke are the three leading killers in this country, and most of us have had family or friends fall victim to these diseases. I have always been a strong supporter of federal legislation that works to fight the scourge of cancer and heart disease. As such, I have consistently supported greater funding for the National Institutes of Health, the National Institute of Cancer, and the Center for Disease Control. Also, I am a cosponsor of several common-sense pieces of legislation that will assist family caregivers in accessing respite care; help patients in underserved populations navigate the health care system as they receive treatment for chronic disease; provide a minimum hospital stay for mastectomies; and ensure that firefighters and police officers who suffer fatal heart attacks or strokes while on duty are presumed to have died in the line of duty.

This nation needs to do more to study and work towards a cure for diabetes, autism, and other diseases that are becoming more and more prevalent, especially among our children. As a member of the Congressional Diabetes Caucus and Autism Caucus, I continue to work with my colleagues on such issues.

Rural Health Care
As a Steering Committee member of the Rural Health Care Coalition, I have been gratified to see the growing interest in and understanding of rural health care over the last few years. While great strides have been made in equalizing Medicare payments to rural providers, other problems, unique to rural health care, remain unsolved. I remain committed to aiding rural hospitals and clinics by increasing access to telemedicine and improving ambulance service to rural areas.

I hope you find this information helpful. If you should have further comments or questions, please contact me.