Kagen Calls Suspended Enrollment in BadgerCare Plus Further Evidence of The Need For Health Care Reform

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                                                                              
October 5, 2009

Contact:  Jake Rubin
(202) 225-5665

KAGEN CALLS SUSPENDED ENROLLEMENT IN BADGERCARE PLUS
FURTHER EVIDENCE OF THE NEED FOR HEALTH CARE REFORM

(APPLETON, WI)  Congressman Steve Kagen, M.D. says people in Wisconsin and throughout the nation need health care reform now more than ever.  Governor Jim Doyle announced today that Wisconsin will suspend enrollment to the BadgerCare Plus Core Plan for adults without dependent children.

“This is further evidence that the health care system in this country is unsustainable and badly in need of reform.  I am working hard to get the job done in Washington, knowing that the health of our economy and our families depends upon securing guaranteed access to affordable care for all of us,” said Dr. Kagen.

According to Medicaid rules, the BadgerCare Plus Core Core Plan must be budget neutral which means that there is a set amount of money that can be spent on the program.  The state estimates that the program can afford to cover approximately 54,000 individuals and nearly 60,000 applications have been received so far. 

“Wisconsinites will not be helped if we do nothing.  We know there is a better way of delivering quality health care to all American citizens at a price we can all afford to pay.  Now we need the will to enact it,” said Kagen.

Because of the high demand expected in the remaining days of enrollment, the state is strongly encouraging individuals who have yet to apply to do so online at www.access.wi.gov. 

Kagen continued, “A generation ago, during our nation’s moment of greatest despair, President Franklin D. Roosevelt asked Congress to take bold actions.  He said, ‘take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something.’  What kind of nation would we be if we did not care for our neighbors?”

Individuals may wish to consider applying for the BadgerCare Plus Core Plan if they:

• Are a Wisconsin resident between the ages of 19 through 64;
• Are a U.S. Citizen or qualifying immigrant;
• Do not have dependent children, under age 19, living with them and are not pregnant;
• Have a monthly family income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level ($21,660 per year for a single person and $29,139 per year for a married couple);
• Do not have health insurance or have not had access to employer subsidized health insurance during the previous 12 months, with a few exceptions; and
• Are not enrolled in or able to enroll in BadgerCare Plus, Medicaid or Medicare.