Walker Administration’s Insurance Commissioner has refused to police health insurance rate increases. Legislation would require state action to protect consumers.

MADISON - State Senator Chris Larson and Representative Debra Kolste hosted a media event this morning with Citizen Action of Wisconsin to announce new legislation requiring the Walker Administration’s Insurance Commissioner to police excessive health insurance rate hikes.

The Walker Administration has never challenged a rate increase, and now seven companies are requesting increases of over 10% for 2016. Recently, the office publicly defended their hands-off approach to insurance rate regulation. Allowing some large insurance companies to raise premiums 18% to 30% in one year without strict scrutiny is bad public policy and is contributing to Wisconsin having the 4th highest health insurance premiums in the country in the individual market.

What: Media Event: Senator Larson and Representative Kolste Join Citizen Action of Wisconsin in Announcing a Bill to Protect Consumers from Excessive Health Insurance Rate Hikes

When: Thursday, September 3, 2015 at 11 a.m.

Where: Wisconsin State Capitol, Senate Parlor

Speaking

• Dr. Robert Kraig, Executive Director, Citizen Action of Wisconsin
• State Senator Chris Larson (D-Milwaukee)
• State Representative Debra Kolste (D-Janesville)
• A Wisconsin consumer impacted by high health costs