http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/voter-primaries-s5.jpgThe COVID-19 outbreak and the Governor's 'Safer at Home' order are likely to disrupt participation in the spring election. Absentee ballots must be returned to the clerk’s office by 8:00 pm on Election Day.

As we mark the 10th Anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, real people worry they will lose the coverage they need to stay alive.

MADISON, WI - Monday marks the 10th anniversary of the passage of the Affordable Care Act, which enshrined into law protections for people with pre-existing conditions and helped bring health care to more than 20 million Americans. In Wisconsin alone, more than 2.4 people have pre-existing conditions and in 2019 over 200,000 Wisconsinites selected a marketplace plan during the open enrollment period.

Despite the positive impact of the law for millions of Wisconsinites and Americans everywhere, Donald Trump continues to try to repeal the law. In doing so he is breaking numerous campaign promises to protect people with pre-existing conditions and expand coverage at a lower cost. Trump, despite his best efforts, failed to repeal the law in December of 2017, and since then has done everything to undermine the law. Currently, his Department of Justice is part of a lawsuit that aims to invalidate the entire ACA.

Wisconsinites have been living in fear since Trump took office as they worry they will lose the coverage they need to stay alive. See below for what Wisconsinites are saying on the 10th anniversary of the passage of the ACA:

Kyleigh Forrester -- West Allis: “I’ll be eligible to vote for the first time this year, and I know I will be casting my ballot against Donald Trump because of his relentless assault on protections for people like myself with pre-existing conditions. I was born hypoplastic right syndrome -- in short, I was born with half a heart. My dream is to become a pediatric cardiologist so I can help kids like myself, but I believe that is only possible if I continue to have the support of the ACA.”

Sarah Conklin -- Appleton: “I am the poster child for pre-existing conditions. In the last 26 years I’ve had 16 surgeries, given birth, have been diagnosed with relapsing/remitting MS, am a five year breast cancer survivor and was treated for PTSD. Without the Affordable Care Act, it is hard to imagine I’d be alive right now, which makes president Trump’s zeal to repeal the law that much worse. He promised he’d protect people like, but it’s clear that was nothing more than an election year ploy -- Trump doesn’t care about people like me.”

Tina Hinchley -- Cambridge: “My life was nearly over when I had a brain tumor a few years ago. Without the Affordable Care Act, we would have lost our farm, our livelihood, and our future. The ACA allowed me to have the best possible care when my prognosis looked very grim. I am very thankful for the ACA, it truly saved my life. If Trump gets his way, other people with serious illnesses will not get the care they need. I got a second chance, because the ACA was there for me!”

Tina Pohlman -- Eau Claire: “Without the Affordable Care Act I don’t think I would be alive today. The fact I can get the care I need without being penalized for having multiple pre-existing conditions allows me to live a fulfilling life, and the fact Trump wants to take all that away for no reason should send a message to every Wisconsinite of where his priorities lie. He is breaking his promise to me and the other 2.4 million Wisconsinites who have a pre-existing condition, and that alone should disqualify him from serving a second term in office.”

Shannon Thielman -- Wausau: “The only reason I am able to speak out on the Anniversary of the passage of the Affordable Care Act is because this legislation has kept me alive. I’m a cancer survivor, which means like millions of other Wisconsinites I have a pre-existing condition. I was only able to get the care I needed because insurance companies couldn’t now kick me off my coverage thanks to the ACA. The idea that Donald Trump wants to go back to a time where people like me couldn’t get coverage is obscene. Trump’s broken promises to protect the more than 2.4 million Wisconsinites like me is an affront to everyone who trusted this president to keep his word."

Chelsey Schaumberg -- Seymour: “My daughter was born with a pre-existing condition, and now Donald Trump wants to punish her for that. The Affordable Care Act ensures that I can get my daughter the care she needs now and for the rest of her life, but now that security is under threat as Trump continues to try to have the protections we rely on stripped away for no reason. He promised us he’d have our backs, but as soon as he took his office he changed his tune. We can’t trust him to keep his word and cannot another four years of him in office.”

Nick Gibson -- Wausau: “Before the Affordable Care Act, the idea of affording my insulin and the equipment I needed was a daily struggle for me and my mom. Insurance companies discriminated against me for my pre-existing condition and there were often times we had to decide to either pay for my medicine or another bill. 10 years ago The ACA changed all that, but now with Donald Trump as president we’re looking at the very real possibility we’ll go back to that time where life and death decisions were all too real for many of us."

Action Group launches initial $6 Million TV & Digital Ad Buy to expose the President for misleading the American people during the rapidly worsening coronavirus pandemic.

Express desire for closure to the primaries and getting on with the business of beating Donald Trump.

MADISON - Following guidance from local health officials to limit gatherings of more than 250 individuals, the Democratic Party of Wisconsin will postpone its annual Founders Day dinner to a later date.

The health and safety of Wisconsinites is our number one priority. It's time for all groups and institutions with events planned in the next few weeks to take swift action to slow the spread of Coronavirus.

We now turn our focus to the April 7th spring election. You can request an absentee ballot for the April 7th election online – you don't even need to provide a reason. Make sure to vote for Jill Karofsky in the State Supreme Court election!

Request Absentee Ballot: https://myvote.wi.gov/en-US/VoteAbsentee

Wash your hands often and stay safe!

—Democratic Party of Wisconsin

MADISON – Senator Jeff Smith (D-Brunswick) has cancelled the three remaining end-of-session listening sessions. The cancellations arise due to public health concerns relating to the spread of COVID-19.

Sen. Smith encourages residents of the 31^st Senate District to follow prevention and treatment guidance from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) to keep themselves and their communities healthy. Residents with immediate questions about COVID-19 may email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to request information from DHS.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/healthcare-family-dr-s5.jpgThe average family is paying a record high of over $20,000 for health insurance while prescription drug costs continue to rise.

MADISON - Last night, Trump admitted that he’s coming for Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security if reelected in 2020.

These programs are important for hundreds of thousands of hardworking men and women across the state, and taking them away would have serious consequences. Take it from Denise, who worries that Trump will take away her benefits.

The Supreme Court also announced this week that it will hear a lawsuit seeking to overturn the Affordable Care Act later this year. This deserves attention here in Wisconsin, seeing as 2.4 million Wisconsinites with pre-existing conditions could be charged more or be denied coverage completely.

The truth is, “Disease doesn’t know if you have a D or an R next to your name — it doesn’t care about politics.” Jarrett knows this first hand: his parents, lifelong Republicans, were reluctant to sign up for the ACA. Fortunately, they signed up at the last minute and it saved their family from financial ruin. Read his piece here.

Earlier this week, women small business owners gathered in La Crosse to talk about whether or not the Trump Administration’s economic policies are working for them. Penny Fassler, a local business owner, said she has not seen any tax cuts since President Trump imposed his tax plan. Instead, she sees tax breaks going to big corporations.

Penny’s right. In fact, by 2027, 83% of the Trump tax law’s benefits will go to the top 1%, while many small businesses have seen their taxes go up.

If you’re interested in hearing from Wisconsinites whose lives have been made better by the ACA or who feel that Trump’s economy just isn’t working for them, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Best, 
Cassidy

No news on whether Warren will endorse one of the other Democrats still running in the presidential race yet.

State Senator Patrick Testin (R-Stevens Point) continues to single handedly block efforts to strengthen protections for Pre-Existing Conditions.

MADISON - As the Trump Administration renews their push to repeal the Affordable Care Act, Senator Patrick Testin (R-Stevens Point) continues to single handedly block a proposal to protect health coverage for people with pre-existing conditions. Senate Bill 37, also known as the Comprehensive Health Care Protection Act, would safeguard federal health protections at the state level, and ensure families and seniors are able to access the care they need without going bankrupt. Despite overwhelming public support, the bill has languished in the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services where Senator Patrick Testin serves as chair.

“It is appalling that Senator Testin continues to block access to affordable and quality health coverage,” said Katie Iliff, SSDC Executive Director. “Senator Testin and the rest of his Republican colleagues have made it their mission to undermine the health care marketplace and protect the profits of wealthy insurance executives. Not only is he refusing to do his job, he is actively working to eliminate health care protections for the 2.4 million Wisconsin residents living with pre-existing conditions. This fall, voters will finally have a chance to protect our care and send greedy pals of the insurance industry like Patrick Testin packing.”

In addition to blocking protections for individuals with pre-existing conditions, Sen. Testin has established a pattern of ignoring children, families and seniors who lack access to affordable health care. Already this session Sen. Testin has voted against legislation to lower insulin costs, improve birth outcomes and expand Medicaid coverage for thousands of Wisconsinites while saving taxpayers millions of dollars.