Wisconsin Democrats on the 59th Anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid

MADISON, Wis. — Today, on the 59th anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid, Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Ben Wikler released the following statement:

“Everyone deserves access to affordable health care for themselves and their families, and for 59 years, Medicare and Medicaid have made that possible for millions of Americans and their families. Medicare and Medicaid were designed and launched by a great Wisconsinite, Wilbur Cohen, and have touched the lives of nearly every American family. Today, thanks to President Biden, Vice President Harris, and Senator Baldwin, Medicare beneficiaries are paying less than ever before for their health care thanks to a cap on out-of-pocket drug costs and a cap on insulin—so that no one has to choose between paying their bills or paying for their prescriptions.

“But in Wisconsin, Republican politicians in the Legislature have held us back from ensuring every Wisconsin family has access to the care they need. For more than a decade, Republicans have refused to expand BadgerCare—Wisconsin’s Medicaid program—leaving us as one of just ten states that have failed to accept federal funds to expand coverage and bring down costs. Fully expanding Medicaid would be transformative, providing affordable coverage to nearly 90,000 additional Wisconsinites and saving our state $1.6 billion. Wisconsin deserves better than what Republicans have offered us over the past ten years. Now, thanks to the tireless work and votes of millions of Wisconsinites, change is at hand. With fair legislative maps, we will have the chance to finally do what’s right for Wisconsin—including expanding Medicaid to bring more of our federal tax dollars home and cover more of our people.”