PUBLIC MEETING ON HEALTHCARE HELD
Tuesday, February 28th, 2006 -- 9:50 AM
By Mike WarrenDemocrats are calling for action sooner than later on an affordable healthcare plan for Wisconsin. State Representative Amy Sue Vruwink (D-Milladore) held a community meeting on the subject Monday night at U-W Marshfield.
Democrats have introduced a bill which calls for healthcare financing reforms by 2008. The legislators want coverage for at least 98-percent of Wisconsinites, and a 15% decrease in price.
"This is something everyone will have to come in on," Vruwink says of the plan. "Employers will have to pay a certain amount, employees have to pay a certain amount. Everybody will be paying, but everyone will be covered."
Vruwink introduced a recent survey that showed the average annual premium for employer-sponsored healthcare coverage is now more than $4,000 for one person, and more than ten-grand for a family of four.
Since 2000, the cost of health insurance coverage for employers has risen 73% -- easily outpacing the 14% rate of inflation.
Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.