Fiscally Irresponsible Actions Continue to Drive Wisconsin Deficit

Enrollment in BadgerCare Increases, Creating Funding Problems; Americans for Prosperity Calls for an End to Soaring Spending

MILWAUKEE – Wisconsin continues to fight a budget deficit during these difficult times, and it’s no wonder why, according to Americans for Prosperity, a free market advocacy group. Enrollment in state health care programs such as BadgerCare Plus has increased by 35% in the past six years, leading to a $1.4 billion budget deficit for the next two years. All this comes as lawmakers discuss expanding the program to cover another 40,000 people.

“Either our representatives were too short sighted to see the possible funding problems, or they saw the potential problems and neglected to address them. Either way, it’s a bad scenario,” said AFP Wisconsin State Director Mark Block. “And to discuss expanding coverage at a time when we can’t pay for what we have and are facing a budget crisis is unbelievably irresponsible.”

• The program has seen an increase of about 238,000 people in the last six years, and as the economy worsens that number is expected to rise. The number of people enrolled since Governor Doyle has taken office is 926,600;that equates to a 26% increase.
• As of last year, the government has made it easier to enroll in BadgerCare Plus; there was a coordinated effort to sign people up for the program, and online applications have become prominent.
• Wisconsin has not tightened its Medicaid eligibility requirements as many other states have done in recent years. Wisconsin’s budget shortfall currently stands at $593 million.

AFP is urging their members to contact their representatives and ask how they can afford to throw money at all these programs when hardworking Wisconsinites can’t pay the bills.

“The money the government needs to continue funding these programs needs to come from somewhere,” said Block. “These health care programs aren’t going to turn this economy around, and the people and businesses that take on the tax burden can’t afford to. As a state, we need to plan for the future and make sacrifices today. We can’t afford to pay for these programs--it’s as simple as that.”

Americans for Prosperity (AFP) is a nationwide organization of citizen leaders committed to advancing every individual’s right to economic freedom and opportunity. AFP believes reducing the size and scope of government is the best safeguard to ensuring individual productivity and prosperity for all Americans. AFP educates and engages citizens in support of restraining state and federal government growth, and returning government to its constitutional limits. For more information, visit www.americansforprosperity.org

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