Representative Anderson Reacts to Speakers Failure to Expand BadgerCare Coverage for New Mothers

MADISON, Wis – On the final legislative day of the year, the Democratic caucus prepared a petition that would have forced a vote on a long-standing bill, SB 23, that extends BadgerCare coverage to postpartum mothers for a full year.

“SB 23 was passed by the Senate with just one Senator voting against, and 73 out of 99 Assembly members are co-sponsors to this bill, including a majority of the Speaker’s own caucus. I simply cannot understand these endless political games being played over extending life-saving healthcare to new mothers,” Rep. Anderson said.

Unfortunately, Speaker Vos received advance notice of the petition which allowed the Speaker to move the bill to a different committee, reset the clock on a forced vote, and avoid accountability for his inaction on this bipartisan proposal.

“This is a bill that’s sat on Majority Leader August’s desk in the rules committee for almost six months. Then, when Speaker Vos was notified of our petition, he chose to shield his extreme position behind the machinery of the Assembly rules,” Rep. Anderson continued. “We’ve seen the Speaker manipulate procedure for his own benefit before – it’s what he seems to be best at – but this is a true abdication of his duty. The Speaker should do his job, speak for the entire Assembly, and give this bill its long-overdue vote.”

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.