Expanding BadgerCare means economic opportunity in Wisconsin, say Democratic lawmakers on Tuesday.

MADISON - On Tuesday, Representative Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh) and members of the Assembly Democratic Caucus voiced support for Governor Tony Evers’ special session on expanding BadgerCare. Together, they urged state lawmakers to vote in favor of BadgerCare expansion and bring an additional $1 billion in federal funds to Wisconsin.

“I applaud Gov. Evers for calling a special session to expand BadgerCare in Wisconsin and I urge my legislative colleagues to act now,” said Rep. Hintz. “BadgerCare expansion is widely supported in Wisconsin, and has been adopted in thirty-eight states across the nation, including every single one of our neighboring states here in the Midwest. The people of Wisconsin shouldn’t be punished due to some stubborn and mindless political exercise that has gone on too long and cost taxpayers too much money. Let’s do what is best for our state and get BadgerCare expansion across the finish line in this special session.”

While legislative Republicans have indicated they plan to gavel in and out of special session without voting to expand BadgerCare, Assembly Democrats highlighted the unique one-time opportunity before Wisconsin under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which provides that Wisconsin will receive $1 billion in one-time federal funding if the state expand BadgerCare.

Rep. Daniel Riemer (D-Milwaukee) added, “By expanding BadgerCare, not only will we make more than 90,000 residents eligible for more affordable and accessible health care and save the state millions of dollars, we will bring in an extra $1 billion in federal funds that can be invested into Wisconsin’s economic recovery. The COVID-19 pandemic has created many challenges in Wisconsin, which could be addressed with this extra federal funding. Now is the time to take action and invest in our economic recovery.”

Rep. Sara Rodriguez (D-Brookfield) commented, “I am pleased that Gov. Evers has proposed investing this extra $1 billion federal dollars across Wisconsin, including in districts like mine. In my district alone, the Children’s Research Institute will get resources to advance pediatric medical research and Versiti Blood Research Institute will receive funding to expand research activities in the areas of blood cancers and immunology. Gov. Evers’ plan is smart, strategic, and clearly makes sense for my constituents and the people of our great state. But if we don’t expand BadgerCare, they simply won’t happen.”

Concluded Rep. Hintz, “Wisconsin has essentially been handed a $1 billion dollar lottery ticket. The only acceptable answer is to cash it by expanding BadgerCare, and then invest it in our economic recovery.”