Senate Health Care Committee to Hold Second of Statewide Hearings in Eau Claire
‘Wisconsin Needs Health Care Reform and We Will Deliver,’ Says Chair Erpenbach
Madison – State Sen. Jon Erpenbach (D-Middleton), chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, has announced the committee will hold public hearings across Wisconsin to address needed health care reforms. The second hearing will be held this Thursday in Eau Claire in the auditorium Chippewa Valley Technical College.
“We have a real opportunity to help make Wisconsin affordable once again for the middle class,” said Erpenbach. “We are seeking to ensure that everyone has access to affordable, high-quality health care.”
Erpenbach said in the coming weeks the committee will hold public hearings in cities around the state. In addition to the Eau Claire hearing, the Committee held its first hearing in Green Bay, where it was well-attend with members of the community, local officials and business owners in attendance. Erpenbach said the hearing will begin at 4:00 p.m. to accommodate working people who wish to attend.
“Our hearings will bring together business leaders, community members, local elected officials and health care professionals,” said Erpenbach. “We have an historic opportunity to help the people of Wisconsin and the Senate will work with both Governor Doyle and the Assembly to move decisively.”
Erpenbach said it was critical the state legislature act to reduce the costs of health care in Wisconsin. The committee will look at Governor Doyle’s plans for BadgerCare Plus and covering 98 percent of Wisconsinites, as well as specific proposals being advanced by Sen. Mark Miller, by the Wisconsin Health Project, by the President of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO and by the Senate Republicans.
“The skyrocketing costs of health care are a threat to our way of life in Wisconsin,” said Erpenbach. “Families, single people, seniors, small businesses, mom and pop operations, large corporations, local governments, organizations – everyone is affected by the health care crisis.”
Erpenbach said the committee will announce additional hearings as they are finalized and he encouraged members of the public to attend.
“There are some effective and practical ideas out there for how we get people the health care they need at a reasonable cost,” said Erpenbach. “In the Senate, we will be taking a deliberate and public look at how best to achieve our shared goals and what the best solution is for Wisconsin families.”
