There are currently 47 million people in the United States without health care coverage. The rising cost of healthcare erodes benefit packages that usually are provided by employers. In fact, health insurance expenses are the fastest growing cost component for employers. For example, in 2007, the national health expense increased by 6.9%, or to paint a clearer picture, twice the rate of inflation. David Riemer, the director of policy and planning for Community Advocates, recently spoke at MATC to discuss what is being done here in the Badger state that addresses these issues. Wisconsin’s state-issued health insurance coverage, Badger Care Plus, was the focus of his presentation. Currently, in order to qualify for Badger Care, you must be under the age of 19, pregnant with an income up to 300% above the poverty level, or a parent or caregiver whose income is up to 200% above the poverty level.

Unfortunately, that leaves out the largest group most likely to be uninsured, young adults between the ages of 19 and 24. However, David Riemer points out that the current plan is being reformed to bridge the gap.

It’s being called the Childless Adults program, and on January 1, 2009, it will go into effect. Coverage will be extended to childless adults between the ages of 19 and 64 who earn less than $20,800 annually.

New recipients will be able to apply as early as fall 2008, and even if you already have coverage through your employer, Riemer urges people to apply because you may still be eligible for better, more affordable coverage. For example, a single adult would have to pay as little as $60 per year out of pocket under a tier 1 HMO.

This would enable many students to become eligible; however, they are not the only ones urged to apply. The plan extends all the way to age 64, therefore more mature adults who are not covered either by their employers or because of self-employment will become eligible as well.

Single, young men and women are considered a low risk because, generally speaking, they are healthy, working adults. Under this new plan, it would help relieve the burden that employers are facing with the continually rising cost of health care, and would meet the challenges that Americans are facing.

Currently, 8 out of 10 uninsured people come from the working class, and the largest age group of those uninsured are between the ages of 19 and 64. This new plan would directly meet those needs.

This new plan is indefinitely going into effect January 1, 2009, but unfortunately because of the fact that it is still in the stages of infancy, the state will decide after a period of six months whether or not to keep the plan in operation. Riemer believes that the best way to keep it alive is by taking action. He urges us to apply as soon as possible in the fall of this year.

The more people that show interest the better. He also urges people to write to our senators in Madison: Moore, Kohl and Feingold, and tell them that this is a plan that not only the state of Wisconsin needs, but something the whole country needs as well.

For additional information on how to apply, go to https://access.wisconsin.gov/.