Medicaid

June 10, 2019

Fighting for Medicaid Expansion in 2019!

We are living in strange and difficult political times. We are in the process of fighting strong anti-union, anti-democratic forces in the state and national government. This is a critical time for workers and retirees to be united in our goals and coordinated in our actions to prevent policies that hurt our people and our communities. In addition, there are crucial elections in 2020 that will shape our economic and social world for years to come. At the 2019 Membership meeting, participants agreed to focus on Medicaid Expansion at the state level and Medicare protection at the national level.

WISCONSIN SENIORS HAVE THE RIGHT TO A SECURE FUTURE

Gov. Evers put Medicaid Expansion into the state budget adding over $1 billion to Wisconsin’s revenue. This helps seniors pay for Medicare, prescription drugs, and long-term care in assisted living or at home.

Assembly Rep. Voss wants to throw away the federal money that could fill health care funding gaps. He is telling Republican legislators to vote no for medicaid expansion even though 70% of Wisconsinites want the federal funding.

What is Medicaid?

• Federal/State medical care program that pays for most health care costs for nursing homes, home care, and families with low incomes.
• Each state has its own rules for who gets Medicaid.

Medicaid covers most of the cost for assisted living, home care and disability assistance in Wisconsin.

• More than half of the people in Wisconsin nursing homes are covered by Medicaid
• 93,707 state retirees are in Senior Care

Medicaid is crucial for middle class elders

• $7 out of every $10 spent by Medicaid in Wisconsin was for the elderly and people with disabilities
• $3 went to children and families
• Medicaid supports most people in nursing homes because middle-class patients often use up their savings for long term care. In fact, two of every three bankruptcies are due to medical debts.

Wisconsin needs more Medicaid funding

• Nursing homes are closing – 14 closed this year. Medicaid payments are too low to cover costs
• There’s a 50% shortage of senior care workers for nursing homes and home care. The pay is too low for such difficult and physically hard work.
• The state is cutting funds for dementia programs and advocacy help for neglected and abused elderly people.
• WI is cutting the training time for senior workers to 3 weeks. This endangers frail elderly who need skilled caretakers.

 

Gov. Walker refused federal Medicaid funds

In Wisconsin, Scott Walker’s refusal to expand Medicaid:

• has cost Wisconsin families a total of $1.07 billion in state tax dollars
• has resulted in 62,000 adults losing Badgercare coverage
• Has cost our state 10,500 jobs

 

$2.5 billion: The money the state is leaving on the table over the next decade by not expanding Medicaid.

 

Gov. Evers is trying to accept Medicaid Expansion funding

Gov. Evers put Medicaid Expansion into the new state budget adding over $1 billion to Wisconsin’s revenue. This helps seniors pay for Medicare, prescription drugs, and long-term care in assisted living or at home.

 

Assembly Rep. Robin Vos Says NO to Medicaid Expansion – “Over my dead body”

Assembly Rep. Voss wants to throw away the federal money that could fill health care funding gaps. He is pressing Republican legislators to vote no for Medicaid expansion even though 70% of Wisconsinites want the federal funds.

Medicaid Expansion helps senior citizens

• Cuts the cost of prescription drugs
• Increase wages for senior care workers and funding for nursing homes
• Fund housing rehab and local health support so seniors stay in their homes
• Expand the dementia care programs
• Invest in state and local programs that protect people living in long term care

 

 

WIARA IS FIGHTING FOR MEDICAID EXPANSION

1. Call and write your legislators. Tell them if they don’t support Medicaid Expansion, you won’t support them in the next election.

2. Call and write to Robin Voss. Even if he is not your legislator, you can contribute to his opponent’s campaign in 2020.

3. Let you friends and neighbors know how important this fight is – we will win this if legislators feel pressure from thousands of voters.

4. Follow FORWARD WISCONSIN – the Democratic leaders’ campaign for Medicaid Expansion. Go to https://actionnetwork.org/groups/forward-wisconsin-fight-for-the-medicaid-expansion

ACTION UPDATE – Join us!

June 13 Rally in Burlington WI in Robin Vos’ district

6pm –  Wehmhoff Square at 355 North Pine Street (53105 – for GPS)On Thursday, June 13th, we are taking the fight for quality and affordable care to the streets of Burlington, in the heart of Vos’ legislative district.