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Republican Inaction Exacerbates Health Care Crisis in Wisconsin During Government Shutdown

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

As the Republican-led government shutdown continues, the consequences for Wisconsinites are mounting. On November 1, open enrollment for HealthCare.gov began, with individuals facing sticker shock due to the absence of critical premium subsidies. This comes as the Trump administration has refused to use emergency contingency funding for SNAP (FoodShare) benefits, leaving 700,000 Wisconsinites without their November benefits. Representative Gwen Moore (D-Wisconsin) has spoken out against the administration's actions, highlighting the devastating impact on families and food banks.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Republican-led government shutdown has led to a significant increase in health insurance premiums for Wisconsinites, with a 60-year-old making over $63,000 facing a $10,568 increase and a 40-year-old making around $65,000 facing a $2,057 increase.
  • 700,000 Wisconsinites will miss their November FoodShare benefits if the administration does not comply with court orders to use existing SNAP funds.
  • 18,000 veterans in Wisconsin rely on FoodShare, and more than 60 percent of recipients are families with children.
  • More than 36 percent of FoodShare recipients have seniors or individuals with disabilities in their households.
  • Over 45 percent of FoodShare recipients are working families.
  • Representative Gwen Moore is fighting for a bipartisan end to the shutdown and urging the administration to use its contingency funding and authority to keep food on the table for 42 million Americans.

Statistics:

  • 700,000 Wisconsinites will be deprived of their November FoodShare benefits if the administration fails to comply with court orders.
  • 18,000 veterans in Wisconsin depend on FoodShare.
  • 60 percent of FoodShare recipients are families with children.
  • 36 percent of FoodShare recipients have seniors or individuals with disabilities in their households.
  • 45 percent of FoodShare recipients are working families.

Sources:

  • "As the Republican-Led Government Shutdown Continues, the Pain Only Compounds for Wisconsinites" - Representative Gwen Moore (D-Wisconsin), November 1 [https://gwenmoore.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5788]

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