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MADISON, WI – Thousands of families in the Chippewa Valley and Northwoods will lose health coverage and see higher costs under a plan being pushed by Speaker Paul Ryan and congressional Republicans. Numerous reports have indicated that rural communities and seniors in northwestern Wisconsin will be hit hardest by the Affordable Care Act repeal. While dozens of lawmakers signed a letter to Wisconsin’s congressional delegation in opposition to the coverage reductions and cost increases, Sen. Terry Moulton (R-Chippewa Falls) and Sen. Jerry Petrowski (R-Marathon) were notably absent from the list.
“It’s telling that politicians like Sen. Moulton and Sen. Petrowski would rather side with Washington D.C. insiders than protect families and seniors here at home,” said Matt Ullsvik, SSDC Executive Director. “Wisconsin families need leaders who will stand up and do what’s right. Unfortunately, Moulton and Petrowski seem content to sit on the sidelines and watch as thousands of families and seniors are forced to pay more for a health care system that favors the wealthy and well-connected.”
With federal lawmakers poised to vote on a repeal of the Affordable Care Act in the coming days, the impact on rural Wisconsin families and seniors has taken center stage. Studies from the non-partisan Kaiser Family Foundation revealed that many seniors in northern and western Wisconsin could see their insurance costs increase between $5,000-$7,000 a year. Last week, the Congressional Budget Office reported the Republican proposal in congress would result in 24 million Americans losing health coverage.
