http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/school-meeting-crowd-s5.jpgBudget proposal sticks local taxpayers with the tab for expanded program.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/healthcare2-s5.jpgSen. Vinehout writes about the introduction of her Badger Health Benefit Authority bill to create a state health marketplace. She shares how Wisconsin can do better for serving all with affordable and accessible health care.

The health care repeal, also known as TrumpCare, will affect every single resident in Wisconsin. So why are some politicians still supporting it?

MADISON - After weeks of overwhelming opposition, Republican politicians are still pushing a cruel health care repeal that increases costs, limits coverage and jeopardizes access to care. The Congressional Budget Office estimated that the latest repeal plan would double health care premiums and result in 32 million more uninsured Americans by 2026.

The health care repeal, also known as TrumpCare, will affect every single resident in Wisconsin. So why are some politicians still supporting it?

Gov. Walker and a handful of legislative Republicans have been vocal supporters of the health care repeal effort. Rather than lowering health care costs, they have sided with out-of-state HMOs and pharmaceutical companies whose CEOs profit by gaming the health care system.

The latest version of TrumpCare continues to favor these special interests by cutting taxes for the wealthy, raising out-of-pocket costs on working families and making huge cuts to Medicaid. Even more troubling for Wisconsin families, Republicans have refused to stand up and protect individuals with pre-existing conditions from the uncertainty created by TrumpCare.

Roughly half of all Wisconsin residents have some form of pre-existing health condition. From asthma and diabetes to cancer and heart disease, we all know someone who has been affected by a serious health condition at some point in their life. Through no fault of their own, these individuals could see massive price spikes or lose their coverage if the repeal plan approved by Speaker Paul Ryan moves forward.

These consequences haven’t deterred Republicans and their special interest allies. In fact, Gov. Walker admitted early on that he was open to eliminating protections for individuals with pre-existing conditions. His statement shocked and disappointed many families who are already struggling with difficult illnesses and costly treatments.

Rather than siding with big-money special interests, Wisconsin Democrats introduced a series of solutions to protect health care access and lower costs. We believe residents shouldn’t be denied coverage based on a pre-existing condition. We believe access to preventive care shouldn’t come with a premium penalty. And we believe that insurance companies shouldn’t be the ones writing their own rules.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/uwgb-students-s5.jpgThe state budget proposed this week by Republicans in Madison lacks bi-partisan ideas and real solutions to the transportation funding crisis, creating good jobs, public education, and student loan debt relief.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/art-fair-crowd-s5.jpgSenator Vinehout shares what she learned at the Stockholm Art Fair about dwindling health care options in Western Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Senate Republicans propose more credit card spending, tax breaks for millionaires.

MADISON – With funding for schools and road projects in jeopardy, Senate Republicans are poised to announce a plan for more state borrowing that already appears dead on arrival. With a state budget more than two weeks overdue, Senate Democratic Leader Jennifer Shilling (D-La Crosse) released the following statement:

“It is completely irresponsible for Republicans to continue racking up credit card debt while expanding tax breaks for millionaires. I can’t imagine why anyone would support a budget that prioritizes tax breaks for 11 millionaires over funding for our local schools and roads. Working families are tired of the Republican dysfunction that is paralyzing our government from the federal level down to the state.

“Rather than more tax breaks for the rich, we should be making our schools whole. Rather than more borrowing and record debt payments for roads, we should be making long-term investments in our infrastructure. It’s time to eliminate tax breaks for companies that outsource jobs, get back to our Wisconsin values and pass a budget that actually invests in the future of our state.”

Gov. Walker introduced his state budget proposal more than five months ago. Despite having total control of the statehouse and Governor’s office, Republican infighting has prevented progress for weeks. The budget-writing Joint Finance Committee hasn’t met publicly since June 15th. Their failure to complete a budget by the state’s July 1st budget deadline has created uncertainty for Wisconsin schools, families and communities.