Statement
of U.S. Senator Russ Feingold
On Extending BadgerCare Plus to Uninsured Childless Adults
October 31, 2008
Washington,
D.C. – U.S. Senator Russ Feingold made the following statement
today after Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle announced that an agreement
has been reached to extend BadgerCare Plus to uninsured childless adults.
“I congratulate
Governor Doyle for securing an agreement with the federal government
to extend BadgerCare Plus to ensure more Wisconsinites have access to
health care. I was pleased to support the Governor’s proposal
by working with other members of the Wisconsin delegation to urge Health
and Human Services Secretary Leavitt to approve the waiver. Because
of this waiver, an estimated 81,000 adults in the state will finally
have access to the health care they need, including basic and preventative
care and affordable prescription drugs. This approach to lowering the
number of uninsured in the state without increasing costs demonstrates
once again that Wisconsin is a leader in creating innovative solutions
to some of our country’s most complex health care challenges.”
Pending final
approval, uninsured childless adults (ages 19 to 64) will be eligible
to enroll in BadgerCare Plus if their gross income is below 200% of
the federal poverty level and if they did not have access to health
insurance within the past calendar year. In an effort to control costs
and emphasize management of chronic diseases, all new enrollees are
required to complete a health needs assessment and receive a physical
exam within one year of joining the plan.
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