Senate Democrats Hold Series of Healthcare Roundtables as ACA Cuts Impact Wisconsin Families

MADISON, WI – This week, Senate Democrats brought the Affordable Wisconsin Tour to Appleton, Oregon, Milwaukee, and La Crosse; hosting roundtables focused on the Affordable Care Act and the expiration of tax credits that are set to make healthcare more expensive for 300,000 residents. State Senators Dianne Hesselbein, Kris Dassler-Alfheim, Jamie Wall, Jodi Habush Sinykin, Brad Pfaff, and Sarah Keyeski, along with Representatives Jenna Jacobson, Robyn Vining, and Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski, met with community members from across the state to share their vision for affordable healthcare and to incorporate the many perspectives Wisconsin offers.

A recent Marquette Poll showed 60% of Wisconsin residents to be “very concerned” about health insurance. As the end of the year will see over 270,000 people lose their healthcare coverage and those who maintain coverage will see their healthcare premiums skyrocket.

Senate Democrats heard from families, working Wisconsinites, farmers, veterans, and seniors—each contributing a unique perspective on the barriers to affordable care and ideas for reform. Looking ahead, the legislators will incorporate the experiences shared this week into the Senate Democrats’ broader plan to create a healthcare system that works for every Wisconsinite. One that ensures no one is forced to ration medication or delay care because of cost.

Democratic Leader Senator Dianne Hesselbein, Representatives Jenna Jacobson, and Robyn Vining shared a joint statement on the roundtable series:

“In communities across our state, working families, small business owners, farmers, veterans, and people from all walks of life are feeling the effects that the chaos in Washington is having on healthcare. Whether it be a lack of access to necessary care or the inability to pay for healthcare premiums that have doubled or tripled in the last week, it is clear that these impacts are deep and widespread. In a majority, Senate Democrats will always prioritize people over politics and will ensure that healthcare remains affordable and accessible to all Wisconsinites.”

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.