State Expansions: Wisconsin

In November 2007, Wisconsin lawmakers successfully enacted a bill to expand coverage to all uninsured children in the state. Governor Doyle’s BadgerCare Plus plan was passed as part of the Biennial Budget Bill. The plan expands eligibility levels for children, parents/caretakers, and pregnant women in Medicaid and BadgerCare (the name for SCHIP in Wisconsin). The bill also allows parents of uninsured children to buy into BadgerCare Plus, no matter what their income level is. For an in depth look at the Wisconsin expansion, see Wisconsin's 2007 Health Care Proposal: BadgerCare Plus (Families USA, July 2007).  

Another proposal, called Healthy Wisconsin, would build on BadgerCare Plus to provide comprehensive, affordable health coverage to all people in the state. Healthy Wisconsin passed the Senate during the 2007 legislative session, but was not enacted. Lawmakers may reintroduce the bill during the 2008 legislative session. For more information about the Healthy Wisconsin proposal, see Healthy Wisconsin: Good Medicine for Wisconsin's Economy (Families USA, July 2007).

Wisconsin Expansion Resources

• Clearing up the Confusion Surrounding CMS Approval of BadgerCare Plus (Wisconsin Center on Children and Families, January 2008)
• Providing Coverage for All Kids in Wisconsin: The New BadgerCare Plus Law (Wisconsin Council on Children and Families, November 5, 2007)
• Citizen Action of Wisconsin–HSAs Non-Solution Animated Feature
• Citizen Action of Wisconsin–Press Room  
• Wisconsin Council on Children and Families–Health Care

Wisconsin in the News  

• Child coverage expands in state (Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, January 31, 2008)   
• Health care costs unequal: Coalition's study of fees around the state reveals differences of up to $3,800 (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, December 4, 2007)
• State Moves on Health Insurance for Children: BadgerCare Plus to Be Available to All Kids Regardless of Income (Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, November 7, 2007)
  

For general resources on state expansions, see Other Resources.

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