Wisconsinites on BadgerCare waiting list: 'Walker should have taken the money'
By: Bret Lemoine
Updated: February 13, 2013
APPLETON, Wis. (WFRV) The governor's decision to opt out of federal funding to strengthen Medicaid and BadgerCare isn't sitting well with those on the waiting list.
Diane Escher was part of a large group of citizens organized by Wisconsin Jobs Now who were urging the Governor to take federal dollars. Escher had breast cancer in 2002 and again in 2007.
She now finds herself un-insured. Escher has been on the waiting list for BadgerCare for nearly four years. Escher tells us she couldn't even get an insurance quote because of her preexisting condition.
Wisconsin Jobs Now estimates 9,000 in Outagamie County alone could have been taken off the BadgerCare waiting list and 10,000 health care jobs could have been created throughout the state if the Governor took the federal dollars.
"Well, I think it's a shame," says Escher. "We really need to have some kind of security as to our health in this state. You can't work if you can't get to work because of health problems."
We're going to follow up with other individuals who say they're impacted by the Governor's decision. We'll share their stories with you tonight at 10.
