Gov. Jim Doyle announced Thursday that those on the waiting list for state health care would be eligible to participate in a self-funded, temporary insurance program called BadgerCare Basic.
According to Stephanie Smiley, communications director for the Department of Health Services, BadgerCare Basic is a basic package for those who have yet to receive BadgerCare Plus coverage. The new program is not state funded and costs individuals $130 a month.
“This is temporary and even though people can stay on this program for as long as they need to, the ultimate goal is to get people onto a more permanent program,” Smiley said.
BadgerCare Plus, which currently provides health care to over 64,000 Wisconsin citizens, stopped accepting members in October due to financial constraints. Since that time, more than 20,000 people have been on the waiting list for coverage, Smiley said.
In order to be eligible for the BadgerCare programs, one must be a Wisconsin resident with no dependants and earning an income below 200 percent of the national poverty level, Smiley said. Those with insurance access through an employer within the past year are not eligible for the programs, with the exception of those who have been laid off.
Unlike Smiley, University of Wisconsin Health Policy Programs Director Donna Friedsam is not sure if the program will provide any real change for Wisconsin’s uninsured population.
“This is a bare bones package,” Friedsam said. “They are making an effort to insure more people, but with the cost of the premiums, I’m not sure that those they are trying to help will be available to access it.”
Friedsam added that at this point, the future of health care is unclear on both the state and federal levels.
Although many are in favor of expanding state health care, some individuals, like Rep. Kelda Helen Roys, D-Madison, think this is just a small step in helping Wisconsin’s uninsured population.
“I’m glad that DHS decided to respond to those who didn’t have health care and didn’t just walk away, but this is definitely not a comprehensive health care package and is not the ideal end result,” Roys said.
Senior Vice President Tim Bartholow, MD, of the Wisconsin Medical Society, also believes Wisconsin has a long way to go before a solution to the issue will be found.
“I think that health care is a priority and a necessity, and we need change to make sure that it’s affordable,” Bartholow said.
While Smiley agreed the plan is not ideal for all those on the waiting list, she said for some people, it could be just the help they need.
“This plan may be the difference between having health care and being forced to declare bankruptcy for medical related reasons,” Smiley said.
.health careGov. Doyle’s office could not be reached for comment by time of press.
