Wisconsin's State Plan

On the In These Times blog today, David Moberg writes about state legislation in Wisconsin regarding universal health care. Moberg quotes the Progressive States Network, which called the Healthy Wisconsin plan "the boldest and most comprehensive health care reform from any state." Writes Moberg, "It may become a model for other states or national universal health care."

Combining features of “single-payer” proposals that make a public plan the universal insurer with elements of market-oriented “managed competition” proposals, Healthy Wisconsin would cover virtually every state resident not insured under a public program, like Medicare. According to projections by the Lewin Group, a prominent health care consulting firm, it would also save individuals, employers and governments an estimated $13.8 billion on health insurance over the next decade.

Advocates believe that even if the plan doesn't pass this session, it has a strong chance of passing next year.

SOURCE: "Universal Health Care for Wisconsin?" 08/20/07
Wisconsin state capitol photo courtesy of Paul Wilczynski

Wisconsin's Universal Health Care Plan - Pros and Cons

The Wisconsin Senate recently attached a proposal to their budget bill that would create a $15 billion tax increase to fund universal health care within the state.

The proposal is being met with both criticism and praise. The Green Bay Press-Gazette ran two guest columns yesterday -- one in favor of the plan, and one against.

Joe Leean, a former state senator and chair of the planning committee for the new health care plan, writes in his guest column:

It is the largest tax increase in state history. Because the funding for the plan is assessed on payroll, it is collected as a tax. But the naysayers are neglecting to point out that the approximate $15 billion collected for this plan eliminates more than $15 billion currently paid by businesses and consumers in insurance premiums.

Bill G. Smith, state director of the National Federation of Independent Business/Wisconsin, writes in his article:

Now, we understand that when public policy decisions are made, there are compromises. However, this is a proposal seeking to fund health care with a new payroll tax on businesses regardless of their ability to pay, regardless of their profitability and regardless of employer and employee choice.

According to Leean, "Leaders of the Republican-controlled Assembly have stated there is no way this package will pass their house."

SOURCE: "Stop Trashing State Health-Care Plan and Take a Look At It" 07/22/07
SOURCE: "Health Plan Bad Medicine for State's Economy" 07/22/07
Wisconsin capitol photo courtesy of Steve Todey via Stock.Xchng