Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com

Published - Friday, February 01, 2008

BadgerCare Plus debuts: Enrollment in health care program for uninsured begins today

State Rep. Jennifer Shilling, D-La Crosse

By REID MAGNEY | La Crosse Tribune

Wisconsin’s new BadgerCare Plus insurance program is an affordable way for uninsured families to get health care for their children, officials said Thursday.

Today is the first day for people to enroll in BadgerCare Plus, which state Rep. Jennifer Shilling said will help extend health insurance to 98 percent of Wisconsin residents.

“We are all aware that Wisconsin is facing a health care crisis with skyrocketing costs and limited access for too many people,” said Shilling, D-La Crosse. “Through BadgerCare Plus, all children in Wisconsin, regardless of income, will have access to affordable health insurance.”

The state is aggressively marketing BadgerCare Plus. In addition to advertising, the state has enlisted the help of local government and nonprofits statewide to get the message out.

Deacon Richard Sage, executive director of Catholic Charities of La Crosse, said outreach workers will seek out eligible people at local meal sites. Later this month, workers in local public and private agencies will receive training on how to screen for eligibility.

The BadgerCare Plus initiative puts us on the right path by assuring the basic right of health care for children and families, Sage said.

Doug Mormann, director of the La Crosse County Health Department, said the original BadgerCare program œhas successfully improved access to health care for many La Crosse County families. This new expansion will benefit even more.

BadgerCare Plus will primarily benefit low-income children and families that do not currently have access to affordable health insurance. According to a study by the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, in 2005 about 12 percent of La Crosse, Vernon, Monroe, and Trempealeau County residents lived at or below the poverty.

Do you qualify?

Low-income families will be able to enroll their children into BadgerCare Plus at no charge. Higher earning families will be able to buy into the program for as little as $10 a month for each qualifying family member.

At the top end, a family of four earning $63,600 a year could enroll each child in BadgerCare Plus for $90.74 per child per month.

The program also is open to pregnant women making up to $51,500, farmers and self-employed parents.

If you have questions about the program’s benefits and eligibility, call the Health Department at (608) 785-9872 or Catholic Charities at (608) 782-0710.

People also can go online to www.access.wisconsin.gov. Click on

“Am I Eligible” for a series of questions that will determine whether you qualify for BadgerCare Plus and other state assistance programs.

Reid Magney can be reached at (608) 791-8211 or rmagney@lacrossetribune.com.