10/12/05: Dems Push Health Care Action - Sen. Mark Miller

Dems Push Health Care Action

Bill Calls For 2008 State Deadline

The Capital Times :: FRONT :: 5A
Thursday, October 13, 2005
By Anita Weier The Capital Times

In the face of soaring health care costs and limited access to care for many, Democratic legislators want to set a deadline for health care reform in Wisconsin.
A bill proposed Wednesday would force the state Legislature to enact a reform plan by Jan. 1, 2008, that would ensure that at least 98 percent of Wisconsin residents have health insurance coverage within two years of enactment, and that health care costs be reduced by 15 percent in that time period.

"We want to develop the plan and get Republicans and Democrats working together," said Sen. Mark Miller, D-Monona. "We don't want to let this drag on with people promoting various plans. We want to focus on it. This legislation would hold our feet to the fire so we get the job done."

Though the bill is being proposed by Democrats -- led by Senate Minority Leader Judy Robson, D-Beloit, and Assembly Minority Leader Rep. Jim Kreuser, D-Kenosha -- Miller is hopeful that Republicans will support it.

 "We are in the minority but we are trying to push the Legislature so we will do something on this issue instead of talk about it," Miller said. "We are hoping the Republicans will say we are all for supporting health care and all for working together to pass a proposal."

However, initial GOP response was not favorable.

Todd Allbaugh, a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Dale Schultz, R-Richland Center, said the plan was "typical" of Democratic proposals that he said are weak on details and not based in reality.

"What you've seen from the Republican side is to put forth bills and solutions to real problems which are thoughtfully crafted and based in sound fiscal numbers," Allbaugh said. For instance, he stressed, Republicans put forth the property tax freeze.

"We want to work with the Democrats if we can, but these pie-in-the-sky wouldn't it be lovely if' bills leave all the hard work to others," he added.

The bill states that the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau would determine whether reform proposals meet the requirements it sets.

The bill is being circulated to legislators to gain support.

"Despite the deepening crisis, legislative action has been appallingly absent," Service Employees International Union spokesman Robert Kraig said in a written statement. "Since 2000, health care premiums for family coverage have increased 73 percent. ... Unless the Legislature is forced to act, the health care crisis will only get worse."

Registered nurse Dian Palmer, president of the SEIU Wisconsin State Council, said that the exploding cost of health care is the single most important issue facing the state.

"There are a number of viable solutions out there, but the Legislature has refused to take them up," she said. "It is time our lawmakers in Madison stop paying lip service to the rampaging health care crisis, and take real action."

\ E-mail: aweier@madison.com