BadgerCare Publishes List to Embarrass Employers...

Wisconsin offers its version of the SCHIP programs called BadgerCare as we’ve discussed previously. Wisconsin has received approval from the federal Department of Health and Human Services to offer BadgerCare to adults as well as to the children for which the program was originally intended.

As a matter of fact, The DHHS Secretary, Michael Leavitt, points out that 75% of the Wisconsin program’s funds are spent on adults. Another tidbit is that Wisconsin covers nearly twice as many adults as children. Not bad for a children’s health program, huh?

Since the state wants to embarrass employers with employees participating in BadgerCare, we’ll certainly assist by adding the link to the list at http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/badgercare/pdfs/employers0307.pdf .

Obviously, since “everyone” hates Wal-Mart from what I read in the news, Wal-Mart is at the top of this nasty list with 897 employees. Never mind that Wal-Mart employs more than 27,800 people in Wisconsin, just ridicule them for this 3.2% that managed to obtain BadgerCare.

How could that happen? Well, BadgerCare has established some rules that may explain this “unintended consequence”. First, if an employer offers its employees health insurance coverage but doesn’t pay at least 80% of the premium cost, the employee may be eligible. If the employee is earning less than 185% of the federal poverty level, then that person and his or her dependents are eligible for BadgerCare.

How much is 185% of the federal poverty level? For a single person, it is $1,574 per month. For a husband and wife with two children, it is $3,183 per month. For a family of 8, it is $5,329 per month.

Could it be that BadgerCare is too permissive in its attempts to cover children (when nearly twice as many adults as kids are covered)? Could it be that the 80% level of premium contribution placed on employers is too high? Could it be that BadgerCare is intended to bring as much federal largess into our state as possible (ignoring that we over-taxed Badgers are also paying federal taxes)?

Oh, and another thing! Among the culprit employers are these:

The United States Postal Service
The YMCA
Goodwill Industries
The State of Wisconsin

Uninsured In America...

Stuart Browning has produced at least three pieces depicting issues within the health care debate.

The piece titled Uninsured in America is found here .

I hope you'll agree that this needs to be shared with as many people as you can get it to as quickly as you can.

We'll look at two more over the next few days.