Wisconsin Leverages National Health Care Reform to Enhance Access to Affordable Health Care

Wisconsin is poised to become a national leader in implementing health care reform, thanks to its successful health care system and proactive approach to preparing for the changes brought about by the national health care bill. Governor Jim Doyle has announced the creation of the Office of Health Care Reform to develop an implementation plan that builds on Wisconsin's existing health care programs, such as BadgerCare Plus, BadgerCare Plus Core, SeniorCare, and FamilyCare. These programs have established Wisconsin as a model for health care access, with the state ranking first in health care quality and second in access to coverage.

Key Takeaways:

• The national health care reform will extend coverage to over 32 million Americans, including over 125,000 Wisconsin residents, with a focus on reducing health care costs and improving coverage.
• Wisconsin has already developed an initial plan for a health insurance purchasing exchange, making it uniquely positioned to lead in implementation.
• The Office of Health Care Reform will develop an implementation plan that uses national health care reform to build on Wisconsin's successful efforts and existing programs.
• The office will ensure that Wisconsin's residents and businesses realize the benefits of national health care reform as soon as possible by providing transparent access to information, assessing insurance market reforms, and pursuing federal funds for a temporary high-risk health insurance pool.
• The health insurance purchasing exchange will provide a consumer-friendly website for comparing insurance policies, a single point of access for all eligible residents and businesses, and a platform to promote consumer choice and lower health care premium costs.
• Wisconsin has already achieved notable success in health care access, with every child having access to health care and ranking first in health care quality and second in access to coverage.
• Governor Doyle has issued Executive Order #312 to create the Office of Health Care Reform and directed it to develop a plan to implement national health care reform in Wisconsin.

Statistics:

• Over 125,000 Wisconsin residents will gain access to coverage through national health care reform.
• Wisconsin's health care system has already provided coverage to every child, making it a model for health care access.
• The state ranks first in health care quality and second in access to coverage.
• The national health care reform will extend coverage to over 32 million Americans.
• Wisconsin has developed an initial plan for a health insurance purchasing exchange, making it a leader in implementation.

Sources:

• Governor of Wisconsin
• http://www.wisgov.state.wi.us/docview.asp?docid=19369