From WisPolitics.com/WisBusiness.com …
— U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin is urging state residents getting health insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace to renew by Sunday to get coverage starting Jan. 1.
In a webinar today held by Protect Our Care Wisconsin, the Madison Dem said “every American deserves affordable, comprehensive care” and touted the benefits of the ACA. She referenced her own health care journey, noting being labeled with a pre-existing condition early in life made it difficult to obtain health coverage.
“Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, 45 million more Americans have affordable health care,” she said. “As many as 135 million people with pre-existing health conditions cannot be denied coverage.”
She also underlined the impact of ACA tax credits that were extended through the Inflation Reduction Act, “cutting the cost of health care for over 60,000 Wisconsinites.” But those tax credits are due to expire at the end of 2025, and Baldwin is seeking to make them a permanent fixture.
“I’m leading an effort in Congress to do just that, because we cannot jack up health care costs on Wisconsinites,” she said. “And if we let this tax credit expire, over 20 million Americans will see their health insurance costs jacked up, and an estimated 3 million Americans could lose their health insurance entirely.”
The open enrollment period for Wisconsin runs through Jan. 15, and Protect Our Care Wisconsin is promoting the WisCovered.com site for those seeking help with securing health insurance. See more open enrollment information from the state Department of Health Services.
— In the latest episode of “WisBusiness: the Show,” My Coverage Plan Founder and President Bobby Peterson shares insights on the health benefits startup.
The company, which connects low-income consumers to health coverage, was the winner of the Elevator Pitch Olympics segment of this year’s Early Stage Symposium. Peterson discusses the FirstCheck Wisconsin platform, highlighting the concept of “precision patient advocacy.”
“You can’t get the care, a lot of the time, until you get the benefits, and it requires information and data,” he said, adding “it’s really detailed at some points … and a little pivot point one way or the other means coverage or no coverage.”
The platform incorporates relevant information on age, income, medical status, immigration status and more, with a goal of helping consumers find “the right coverage that you need,” Peterson said.
The Wisconsin-based company is developing its platform in the state, and Peterson says early pilot findings are promising.
“We’re identifying coverage, we’re helping people avoid and prevent medical debt,” he said, pointing to the $1.4 billion in unpaid medical bills in Wisconsin alone. “That’s a lot of money, and we can do something about it.”
Peterson also weighs in on the recent killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Manhattan.
“I think that when you’re dealing with access to health care coverage, it’s very personal, it’s very emotional. You’re trying to help yourself or a family member. You’re dealing with an unforgiving bureaucracy,” he said. “It leads to a lot of built up frustration … I think that part of what we’re trying to do is to set up tools and processes to help people understand the pathways early on.”
Watch the show here.
Top Stories
– Kennedy’s Lawyer Has Asked the F.D.A. to Revoke Approval of the Polio Vaccine
– Brian Thompson’s boss speaks out after killing: U.S. health system needs fixing
– UnitedHealthcare says CEO shooting suspect was never their client
– Consulting firm McKinsey to pay $650 million to resolve US criminal opioid probe
– For kids with rare genetic disorders, customized CRISPR treatments offer hope
– Newer Drug Could Be Advance Against Tough-to-Treat Breast Cancers
Press Releases
– U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin: Celebrates AstraZeneca’s Commitment to Extend $35 Cap to New Inhalers
