Healthcare Is A Right For All Says Solen Print
Elections, Elected Officials, Political Parties
Written by Solen for Congress, Lauren Young   
Friday, 16 September 2016 11:27

healthcare-familyOver 207,000 people in Wisconsin participated in the ACA marketplace as of February, but Paul Ryan wants it repealed. His characterization of ACA’s “coverage gap” for low-income people fails to address that the gap is entirely due to the refusal of the GOP’s state officials to expand Medicaid under ACA.


MOUNT PLEASANT, WI - The Department of Health and Human Services recently issued a report which shows 207,349 people in Wisconsin participated in the ACA marketplace as of February 22, 2016. The program is highly successful: 50 percent of the state’s consumers obtained coverage for less than $100 per month.

Residents could choose coverage from 15 insurers offering an average of 67 health plans. Despite GOP claims that young people would not sign up for ACA, 53,760 consumers—32 percent of participants—have signed up for ACA.

But, Paul Ryan wants ACA repealed.

paul-ryanThe Speaker claims, “by putting the patient-doctor relationship first and applying free-market principles, House Republicans have offered a ‘better way’ to fix America's healthcare system.” Under Ryan’s “better way,” millions of people would lose coverage or be subjected to significantly reduced benefits.

ryan-solenRyan Solen disagrees with the flawed free market model that prioritizes insurance company interests above those of the patients. He knows Wisconsinites will benefit far more from universal health care that will provide them access to quality and affordable essential services rather than letting insurance companies profit through the Speaker’s flawed “free market” model.

Ryan Solen knows protecting families from incurring astronomical medical debt that causes them bankruptcy ultimately costs government far more than a solid universal health care plan. He knows if insurance companies cared as much for their subscribers as they claim, they would not need to spend tens of millions of dollars trying to convince consumers to sign up for policies—advertising costs that could be put to work increasing the quality of health care in Wisconsin’s communities.

“All other variables aside, healthcare is the great equalizer; the common denominator of the human condition is that we all need healthcare, “Solen said. He added, “If we truly believe in the concept of all being created equal, then all should have the same access to healthcare regardless of income.”

Many Wisconsinites are in jeopardy of losing health coverage when they find a job. Nearly 180,000 Wisconsinites work at minimum wage jobs in companies such as Walmart and McDonald's. The majority of these jobs don't offer insurance. Single adults who work a minimum wage job—approximately $1,300 before taxes—are dropped from BadgerCare if their salaries exceed the federal poverty level of $990 per month.

Paul Ryan’s disingenuous characterization of ACA’s “coverage gap” for low-income people fails to address that gap is entirely due to the refusal of the GOP’s state officials to expand Medicaid under ACA.

The House Speaker’s broad outline contains no specific plan for health care. He calls his proposal, “the beginning of the conversation, not the end.”

In Wisconsin, the “conversation” centers on whether people should work at a non-covered minimum wage jobs and lose their health insurance. Their only other option is not to work so they can get medical coverage while they try to figure out how to pay for rent, food, and utilities.

Paul Ryan ignores ACA’s overwhelming success in Wisconsin. His constituents need to know “the beginning” of Ryan’s proposals may be “the end” of their health care coverage for both themselves and their families.

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Ryan Solen is an Army veteran of the war in Iraq and is seeking to represent Wisconsin’s 1st Congressional District. He is a Digital Forensic Specialist and Computer Security Analyst. He is a married father of four and enjoys reading, writing, doing karate with his family, and relieves stress with his vintage Lego collection.

He is the Wisconsin Democratic Party’s Nominee to run for the U.S. House of Representatives to replace Paul Ryan. For more information, please visit www.solenforcongress.com.