Citizens Hope Lawsuits Will Compel Gov To Expand Badgercare

Citizens upset over Governor Walker’s decision to forgo additional federal funding for Medicaid are taking their case to lawmakers to expand BadgerCare. Gretchen Gilham from La Crosse has no health insurance and gets care from free clinics. She says taxpayers fund the governor’s salary and health care, and he should in turn provide it to to them.

“I wish you (Governor Walker) could understand what it’s like to live without health insurance. I wish you could stand with me in the free clinic when it’s below zero, and you have to wait outside for an hour to get in and hope they still have time to see you. Then you would really know what it is like to be uninsured.”

Governor Walker’s plan lifts the cap on one BadgerCare waiting list but tightens eligibility for others. Walker hopes people who currently get government insurance will instead seek private coverage, using federal subsidies.