Plan would expand BadgerCare to adults without children (socialism in the Badger State)

jsonline ^ | 10/31/2008 | Sharif Durhams

[milwguy]

A state health insurance program for working poor families would expand to cover adults who don't have children under an agreement Wisconsin officials have reached with the federal government, Gov. Jim Doyle's office said.

The insurance coverage would allow those adults who earn wages up to twice the federal poverty level to join the state's BadgerCare Plus program.

BadgerCare Plus, which includes federal funding, is designed for the families of children under 19 years old. The state has reached an agreement in principle that would give the state a five-year waiver from those restrictions and allow adults to receive coverage.

"Today we cleared one of the final hurdles on the way toward my goal of providing access to health insurance for 98 percent of Wisconsin residents," Doyle said in a statement. "However, the significant downturn in the national economy, and its effect on the state's fiscal situation, will challenge our ability to quickly extend this program."

Earlier this year, Doyle touted a BadgerCare Plus proposal that started Feb. 1 and was intended to expand access to health care coverage to all children in the state.

Once the program is available, single adults who want to enroll must make less than $20,800 a year and married couples who want to sign up must make less than $28,000 a year.

[milwguy]

Wisconsin may face up to a 4 BILLION $ deficit in their next biennial budget...Our socialist governor wants to have the state take over everyones health care. Last year the voters got a little pissed when the Dems proposed DOUBLING the taxes to provide a state run health care program. Not to be detered, Gov Doyle is using the socialist strategy of incrementalism to acheive the same result.

Where will the money come from? We the people. Already on the ballot in the city of Milwaukee next week is a referendum to MANDATE 9 PAID sick days to all full time employees in the City. It will pass, and Milwaukee will be well on its way to becoming the next Detroit, with all those who can afford it moving to the suburbs, leaving a disfunctional 'Little Beirut' by the lake.

[southernnorthcarolina]

Well, in fairness, there are lots of badgers to care for.

[From The Deer Stand]

More “Dems Gone Wild” on display under the leadership of Gov. Doyle. At least the Healthy Wisconsin plan, with a 7% payroll tax on employees and a 14% tax on employers, was shelved. As I expressed to my legislators, that would kill business in Wisconsin. Doyle, however, isn’t happy until we’re all taxed out of here.

[According2RecentPollsAirIsGood]

Don’t forget the snakes...and mushrooms, mushrooms.

[MrB]

Don’t worry too much if it is confined to one state -

the system will collapse as the producers move out and the deadbeats move in.

This built in correction will not be as viable on a national scale, however.