Citizen Action Weekend E Newsletter; Friday, February 3, 2023
Donate to Citizen Action’s 2023 Supreme Court Action Fund to support our “deep canvass” talking directly to voters.
Volunteer with Citizen Action talking to voters for the Spring Election.
New Research Shows Growing Unaffordable of Healthcare in Wisconsin
Partnering with national researchers, Citizen Action of Wisconsin released on Monday a new demographically balanced survey of 1,196 Wisconsinites on the affordability of health care in the Badger State.
The survey found 59% of survey respondents had experienced at least one health care affordability burden over the last year, and that a sobering 52% reported delaying or going without medical care due to cost. Of those that did receive care, 39% struggled to pay the resulting bills, and faced such financial hardships as depleting savings, being contacted by a collection agency, going without other necessities such as food, heat, and housing, and taking out loans or maxing out credit cards. The survey also found that 81% were worried about their ability to afford health care costs in the future.
The report was released today at a virtual news conference. The news conference included Beth Beaudin-Seiler, PhD, Director Applied Research and Analytics, Altarum Healthcare Value Hub, and Wisconsin State Rep Kristina Shelton (D-Green Bay).
You can watch the entire news conference here.
Despite the intense public concern, state policymakers have failed in recent years to address the spiraling cost crisis.
“The survey data should be a wake up call to state policy lawmakers, who have not prioritized reforms that would slow the health care cost crisis gripping Wisconsin,” said Robert Kraig, Executive Director of Citizen Action of Wisconsin. “Some excellent cost savings proposals were introduced in the Legislature during the last session but they did not even get committee hearings let alone reach the Governor’s desk. These include a BadgerCare Public Option bill that would allow Wisconsinites to buy into the popular health coverage program at lower cost, and a Prescription Drug Price Review Board to curb price gouging by the Pharmaceutical industry.”
“The healthcare system is built to serve wealthy CEOs, drug companies and insurance companies who are making money off this profit model and off of our sickness,” said Representative Kristina Shelton. “Too many of us, including everyday working families, are falling between the cracks.”
The underlying data from the Wisconsin statewide survey is available here. Slides from Dr. Beaudin-Seiler’s presentation are here.
The Consumer Healthcare Experience State Survey (CHESS) was conducted in Wisconsin by the Altarum Healthcare Value Hub. The hub provided free, timely information about the policies and practices that address high healthcare costs and poor quality, and bring better value to consumers. Read the report and see additional data on the experience of Wisconsin consumers with the health care system here.
Meet Citizen Action Health Equity Organizer at North Side Rising, Maletha Jones.
Hello, I’m Maletha Jones, the Health Equity Organizer at NSR. I come with decades of grassroot organizing experience. I am committed for life.
Health Care is very dear to me. I am caring for my mom who’s on oxygen, and a diabetic. She needs to take insulin which can get costly. Her health care matters the most to me. And I know it matters to us all. That’s why we have to make our voices heard when it comes to the BadgerCare Expansion.
We need affordable health care for all. Enough is enough when it comes to the black and brown communities. Doctors should make medical decisions for their patients. I am here so we can talk about it.
It’s Wisconsin State Budget time. Time for our politicians to put their money where their mouth is.
Join Citizen Action to watch Gov. Evers State Budget Address on February 15th at 6:30pm.
Take Action in support of BadgerCare expansion in State Budget.
Contact Maletha to fight for health justice: [email protected] 414-676-5516
Take Action on State Budget Healthcare Priorities
Please take a moment to directly contact Governor Tony Evers urging him to prioritize increasing access to affordable healthcare in his upcoming Wisconsin State Budget. The biennial state budget is our first opportunity in 2023 to make major advancements in expanding healthcare coverage quality and affordability. After all, no matter where we live, what we look like, or what’s in our wallets, we all deserve to receive high quality, affordable healthcare.
Take action here using an easy online form to make your voice heard and influence the Governor’s proposed budget!
RSVP for 2023 State Budget Watch Party, February 15th, 6:30pm
On Wednesday, February 15th, Governor Tony Evers will address the public and the state legislature with his vision for Wisconsin via his bi-annual budget address. Watch this address with like minded folks to cheer on and gently critique the Governor. The program starts at 6:30 PM with a chance for any questions about the state budget process before the Governor begins at 7 PM. There will be a virtual option and an in person option at our Milwaukee office, 4716 W. Vliet St. Milwaukee. Virtual information will be sent to your email after sign up.
Join us for Citizen Action Driftless Organizing Co-op Meet & Greet Social
You are invited to come meet the new Citizen Action of WI Driftless Area Co-Op Organizer, Kristie Tweed, Movement Organizing Director, Kate Felton and other progressive allies from La Crosse County and surrounding areas. Find out how this grassroots organization is making a difference on Healthcare for All, Climate Change and other progressive policies at the local, state and national level. It will be a great time to network with other progressives from La Crosse and surrounding communities.
Guest Speaker State Representative Steve Doyle will talk briefly at 6pm followed by a few words by Organizer Kristie Tweed. A Social time with light refreshments will follow.
For more information contact: [email protected]
Thursday, February 9th – 5:30-7pm
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of La Crosse
401 West Ave South, La Crosse, WI
Share your healthcare story with Citizen Action
Are your doctor bills too high?
Are you paying too much for your medicine?
Send us a note and use your voice to take action! We are amplifying this issue through storytelling because there is something you can do about it.
Get in touch with Barbara Cerda, [email protected], to talk about your experience or send her a text at 414-841-2256.
Citizen Action in the News
Citizen Action released a new report with a national research partner on the rising unaffordability of healthcare in Wisconsin. You can watch the entire news conference here.
See coverage from WTMJ TV 4 Milwaukee; Wisconsin Examiner; and Daily Cardinal.
Listen to “Brewing up Democracy at State Supreme Court” Battleground Wisconsin Podcast
Robert is away from the show this week so we are joined by long time show producer, Brian Wooldridge, to get his perspective on producing over a decade of Battleground Wisconsin Podcasts. We discuss Citizen Action’s release of state survey data this week that found 59% of Wisconsinites experienced at least one health care affordability burden over the last year and 39% struggled to pay the resulting bills. This survey data makes clear the intense need to expand BadgerCare in the next State Budget. We welcome new Citizen Action Driftless Co-op organizer Kristie Tweed to introduce herself and invite listeners to the Driftless Co-op Meet and Greet on Feb. 9th at 5:30pm in La Crosse. We also speak with Pio from Delta Beer Lab in Madison to thank them for a major donation to our organizing work and to promote Delta Beer Lab’s monthly fundraising for groups, including the Wisconsin Conservation Voters in February.
Listen to the show!
Social media post of the week
