March 8, 2007

Now is the time for meaningful health care reform

WEAC is one of 31 organizations that have formed a broad coalition advocating for health care reform at news conferences in La Crosse, Madison and Green Bay today. The coalition will work for reform that secures access to affordable, comprehensive health care for all Wisconsin residents; maintains and improves choice of health care provider and quality of health care services; and implements strategies that reduce and contain costs to assure affordable coverage for all individuals and employers.

The coalition’s formation and the beginning of critical Senate Health and Human Services Committee hearings on health care call attention to the urgent need for real health care reform in Wisconsin.

“Health care costs are squeezing family budgets throughout Wisconsin,” WEAC President Stan Johnson said. “As medical costs continue to rise, health care often dominates collective bargaining negotiations and our members are sacrificing salary increases or accepting pay cuts just to maintain adequate health benefits.

“With rising costs putting health care out of reach for many, the public is clamoring for a solution to the health care cost crisis. In the November 2006 elections, Wisconsin voters in 11 communities overwhelmingly approved a non-binding health care referendum initiative calling for the Wisconsin Legislature to develop a plan to reduce health care costs and guarantee access to universal, affordable health care coverage for all Wisconsin residents. We hope the Legislature honors the voters’ sentiments.”