Statement: U.S. Census Confirms Millions More Uninsured
State Senator Jon Erpenbach (D-Middleton), chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee issued the following statement to figures released from the U.S. Census Bureau showing 47 million Americans don’t have health insurance in a country where $2.1 trillion is spent each year on health care costs:
“The U.S. Census Bureau figures are further evidence we’re long overdue for the kind of comprehensive health care reform Senate Democrats have offered through ‘Healthy Wisconsin.’
While Wisconsin is fortunate to have one of the lower uninsured rates in the country, there are 514,000 people in this state who live everyday one illness or injury away from medical bills that could put them in bankruptcy.
When they get sick, we all pay. Projections show Wisconsin taxpayers will spend $626 million this year to provide medical care and treatment to the uninsured.
Health insurance costs have doubled since 2000. A recent report showed Wisconsin businesses will see a 10.5% increase in premiums this year alone.
There is overwhelming, indisputable evidence that we can not afford to continue with the status quo. The longer and harder that special interests dig in their heels and fight the long overdue reforms offered in “Healthy Wisconsin,” the more our state’s economy and working families financially suffer.
