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Gov. Evers: Advocates for expanding Medicaid in visits to Janesville, Beloit
 
MADISON – Today, Governor Tony Evers and Department of Health Services Secretary-designee Andrea Palm visited the HealthNet Rock County Dental Clinic and the Rock and Walworth Counties Head Start highlighting the governor’s dental and “Healthy Women, Healthy Babies” initiatives in his 2019-21 biennial budget.

“By expanding Medicaid in Wisconsin, our budget improves access to quality, affordable health care for people across our state,” said Gov. Evers. “Today we saw firsthand the kind of impact our budget can have folks right here in Rock and Walworth Counties through expanding basic dental care, investing in preventative health screenings, and supporting families through increased pregnancy and birth services funding.”

Wisconsin ranks 45th in the nation for dental care for children enrolled in Medicaid. Gov. Evers’ budget includes significant investments in programs to increase access to basic dental services, expanding the Seal-A-Smile and the Donated Dental Service Programs, respectively, in the Division of Public Health’s Oral Health Program, and increasing provider payments for Medicaid providers and health care providers for persons with disabilities. The governor’s “Healthy Women, Healthy Babies” initiatives includes funding targeting birth outcomes and preventative care services like cancer screenings, STI prevention, testing, and treatment, and health screenings.

“These are critically important services and we have to put in the resources to make sure health care is affordable and accessible. That’s why we’re going to be fighting for Medicaid expansion in our budget and why we need support for these initiatives going forward.”

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