Podcasts about badgercare

We debrief the historic Capitol Day of Action this Tuesday which called on the Governor to veto any budget that does not meet basic standards. It was organized by Citizen Action Wisconsin in partnership with Wisconsin Public Education Network, and WISDOM; and co-sponsored by: Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC), AFT-Wisconsin, WECAN, Progress North, Madison Teachers Inc, Milwaukee Teachers Education Association, Green Bay Education Association, Kenosha Education Association, Racine Education Association, and Wisconsin Democracy Campaign. 200 citizen-lobbyists met with their legislators, attended a media event with all the partner organizations, who then marched to Governor Tony Evers' office with a jointly signed letter encouraging the Governor to veto any budget from the Legislature that fails to properly fund public schools, expand BadgerCare, fund childcare, and close Green Bay Correctional and builds no new prisons. We review multi-millionaire Ron Johnson's abandonment of Wisconsin's working families by demanding even deeper cuts to Medicaid and food assistance to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy. In addition, this week Johnson declared that Milwaukee Public Schools should get no help from the federal government for cleaning up lead that is poisoning our children. Johnson also rejected science and life-saving measles vaccine requirements for children. Derrick Van Orden emerged again from his bunker and started lying about his broken promise not to cut Medicaid. The Congressional Budget Office is clear that 13.6 million Americans will lose health coverage due to cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act in the House Budget Bill, with 11,000 in Van Orden's district losing Medicaid because of his vote. We encourage listeners to call or visit his office and remind him he broke his promise to voters and now he is lying. We welcome the President of SEIU Wisconsin Healthcare, Pat Raes, to discuss the historic 5 day strike at Meriter Hospital in Madison launched by nurses this week. Pat is a 35 year veteran of the hospital and tells us about why they are striking and how you can support their effort to protect the safety of their patients by fighting the corporatization of healthcare which puts profits over care.

This week Kent and C.J. discuss upcoming cuts to BadgerCare, a death in the Milwaukee County Jail, and the online community that helped sow the seeds of the ALCS shooting. For the main topic, they discuss the beginnings of the feud between Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Harry Houdini over Spiritualism.

We discuss breaking news in the fight to save Medicaid this week as House Speaker Mike Johnson rules out cutting the federal match to states for Medicaid Expansion states. This is huge for Governor Tony Evers' plan to accept federal money to expand BadgerCare in the state budget. We renew our call for the Governor to publicly declare that he will veto any state budget that fails to expand BadgerCare. Despite the victory in Congress for Medicaid Expansion, Speaker Vos and Republicans in the Joint Finance Committee deleted expanding BadgerCare from their state budget Thursday afternoon. It's time for the Governor to fight for his budget. We urge our listeners to call Governor Tony Evers at 1 (608) 266-1212 and urge him to use his most powerful in the nation veto and publicly declare that he will veto any state budget from the Legislature that does not include proper funding for our public schools and BadgerCare expansion. Citizen Action member and child care provider, Julia Bennker, joins us to discuss the Joint Finance Committee's disastrous decision to remove child care funding from their state budget. Julia tells us about how child care providers are organizing a strike that will start Tuesday. Listen to the show. Read Citizen Action's statement on the removal of BadgerCare Expansion from Legislative Republican's State Budget. Citizen Action calls on Governor Tony Evers to use veto powers to leverage BadgerCare Expansion. Attend a “Hands off Medicaid” Town Hall this week. Learn about what's at stake for all of us, hear from our neighbors who are directly at risk, and talk about what we're doing to fight back and how you can get involved. Questions? Contact: Timothy.Faust@citizenactionwi.org RSVP for Milwaukee Join us for an upcoming “Hands Off Medicaid” Town Hall, Tuesday, May 13th, 6pm. Sign up for Citizen Action's Capitol Lobby day, Tuesday, May 27th

Scared? Got Questions about the continued assault on your reproductive rights? THE FBK LINES ARE OPEN! Just call or text (201) 574-7402, leave your questions or concerns, and Lizz and Moji will pick a few to address on the pod! Your fav Buzzkills are talking about the trend of reclassifying things like abortion meds and birth control, and then outlawing them in the process! You know, the ol' “make them sound terrible then use it to strip away your rights” trick. We've also got lots to say about the Catholic Papi's passing and what he DIDN'T do for abortion, shenanigans that are popping up out of Louisiana and which other states are hopping on the bandwagon, PLUS all of the other abobo-related news your earholes need to hear this week.  WHO ARE OUR GUESTS THIS WEEK? WE'RE STACKED.We're yapping with Medicaid and repro care expert, Dr. Cat Duffy of the National Health Law Program (NHeLP), about the harsh realities of what the proposed trash Medicaid cuts could mean for reproductive rights, how YOU can fight back, and how not allowing abortion in the Medicaid system is racist as hell.  PLUS, musician and comedian Shonali joins the pod to remind us that reproductive rights and abortion are PUNK AS FUCK, and gabs with us on art and disco as revolution, the power in being yourself, how she's channeling her rage, on being detained at the border, and her incredible new album, One Machine at a Time.  Times are heavy, but knowledge is power, y'all. We gotchu.  OPERATION SAVE ABORTION: You can still join the 10,000+ womb warriors fighting the patriarchy by listening to our OpSave pod series and Mifepristone Panel by clicking HERE for episodes, your toolkit, marching orders, and more. HOSTS:Lizz Winstead IG: @LizzWinstead Bluesky: @LizzWinstead.bsky.socialMoji Alawode-El IG: @Mojilocks Bluesky: @Mojilocks.bsky.social SPECIAL GUESTS:Dr. Cat Duffy Bluesky: @nhelp.bsky.social Shonali IG/TikTok: @shonaliofficial GUEST LINKS:National Health Law Program (NHeLP)DONATE: National Health Law ProgramMedicaid Defense – Resources and AnalysisShonali WebsiteBUY: Shonali's Album on Vinyl + CDShonali Tour Dates NEWS DUMP:Indiana's Consent Requirement Stripped From Sex Ed BillMontana: ‘Personhood' for Embryos Fails, Other Abortion Bills Head to Governor's DeskA Trump Baby Boom? A Baby Bust Is More Likely.Proposed Louisiana Law Would Expand Definition of ‘Coerced Abortion'Louisiana's New House BillTrump's Budget: Gutting Medicaid to Pass Tax Cuts? EPISODE LINKS:Here's What the Late Pope Francis Said About LGBTQ+ People, Abortion and Other Key IssuesADOPT-A-CLINIC: Midwest Reproductive Health 6 DEGREES: Sources Describe How Homeland Secretary Kristi Noem's Gucci Bag Was Stolen From Under Her Chair Winnie Harlow in Gucci's Uterus DressBUY AAF MERCH!Operation Save AbortionSIGN: Repeal the Comstock ActEMAIL your abobo questions to The Feminist BuzzkillsAAF's Abortion-Themed Rage Playlist SHOULD I BE SCARED?Text or call us with the abortion news that is scaring you: (201) 574-7402 FOLLOW US:Listen to us ~ FBK Podcast Instagram ~ @AbortionFrontBluesky ~ @AbortionFrontTikTok ~ @AbortionFrontFacebook ~ @AbortionFrontYouTube ~ @AbortionAccessFrontTALK TO THE CHARLEY BOT FOR ABOBO OPTIONS & RESOURCES HERE!PATREON HERE! Support our work, get exclusive merch and more! DONATE TO AAF HERE!ACTIVIST CALENDAR HERE!VOLUNTEER WITH US HERE!ADOPT-A-CLINIC HERE!EXPOSE FAKE CLINICS HERE!GET ABOBO PILLS FROM PLAN C PILLS HERE!When BS is poppin', we pop off!

It's time to get out the vote in Wisconsin for the Spring Election. We review news that the state supreme court race will shatter all spending records for the prized judicial seat that will determine control of the state' highest court. We discuss the critical importance of talking directly to potential voters the final 4 days and encourage our listeners to volunteer with Citizen Action on phones or doors. RSVP to talk to voters. Next week is the start of the Joint Finance Committee public hearings on the State Budget, next Wednesday in Kaukauna and Friday in West Allis. We encourage people in each area to consider attending in support of expanding BadgerCare and other state budget priorities. We welcome back to the show, Timothy Faust, Citizen Action's healthcare coordinator, who just returned from a week-long tour of rural Wisconsin hosting Hands Off Medicaid Town Halls to organize opposition to Congressional Republicans proposed cuts to Medicaid. Contact Tim: Timothy.Faust@citizenactionwi.org We close the show with a review of this week's PSC public hearing on We Energies desire to build polluting gas plants. Robert educates us on why the gas plant is a bad idea.

Can Congress get away with taking away health care from millions to fund huge tax cuts for the rich? We preview Medicaid Town Halls in Wausau, La Crosse and Eau Claire that will help organize resistance to proposed slashing cuts to Medicaid. Meanwhile, Rep. Van Orden continued to hunker down in his basement bunker, holding a virtual town hall where he can avoid answering tough questions after misleading his own constituents about Medicaid cuts he rubber stamped in Congress. We cannot win by surrendering in advance. We continue to encourage Governor Evers to veto any budget the Legislature produces that fails to expand BadgerCare. The Spring Election is around the corner and Brad Schimel rehashes voter fraud conspiracies about Milwaukee that he knows are false. So much for his phony stance as a high minded judge above politics. This week the only debate in the State Superintendent of DPI election was held by WPEN and other allies. This race remains about Jill Underly's dedicated support for improving and properly funding our public schools vs. her opponent who is a supporter of siphoning even more money to private unaccountable voucher schools. Robert educates us on a legal case against Greenpeace who was found liable for $645 million for Dakota Access Pipeline protests that has huge implications for the Constitutional right of free speech and protest. Will this be the beginning of a legal strategy to bankrupt progressive nonprofits to silence free speech and assembly? We close with a soul-searching discussion with James Causey, a longtime columnist with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, on adults forcing police officers back into Milwaukee Public Schools without ever listening to the kids.

This week Citizen Action hosted a major news conference at the State Capitol with Legislative allies and Citizen Action members from around the state to unveil the Climate Accountability Act. The bill, which is already rapidly winning co-sponsors, requires the Legislature to pass a concrete and enforceable plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030. Following the media event, Citizen Action members fanned out across the Capitol to visit their Representatives and State Senators and discuss state budget priorities, like expanding BadgerCare. We unpack the latest MU Law Poll which shows a clear pathway for key priorities in Governor Evers' state budget, if he is willing to use his stronger public popularity against a very unpopular Republican Legislature. We review the lessons learned from the first two weeks of phone calls at Citizen Action talking directly to Spring Election voters. We also discuss the most important developments in Donald Trump”s assault on the constitutional order, including a critical 5-4 Supreme Court ruling this week that sided against President Trump over $2B in frozen foreign aid and his unhinged prime time address to a joint session of Congress.

This week the plundering of Medicaid commenced, as Trump, Musk, and their dutiful Republican Party “leaders” in Congress and the Wisconsin Legislature started their assault – all to fund more outrageous tax cuts for the wealthy. Citizen Action Healthcare Action Coordinator Timothy Faust joins us to give us the details on what passed in Congress this week, how it is just the beginning of the fight, and how we are going on the offensive. Not wanting to be outdone by Trump, Boss Vos declared this week that BadgerCare expansion won't happen under his iron fisted domination of the Assembly GOP Caucus. We renew our call for the Governor to wield his powerful threat of a budget veto of any Legislative state budget that fails to expand BadgerCare. In addition to the threat to health care, we made big news this week on the climate front. We discuss the news event in Milwaukee this week unveiling new state legislation to require the Legislature to cut greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030. The bill is gaining momentum and co-sponsors. We talk about why the legislation is critically important.

We review the Spring Primary victory by Jill Underly in the State Superintendent of Public Instruction election and the real challenge to public education that is posed by the well-funded voucher advocate who also advanced to the April 1st General Election. Both the DPI and Supreme Court elections will be won by talking directly to voters throughout the state on phones, doors, and one-on one conversations. We urge you to sign up and volunteer with Citizen Action to make calls from home in support of Susan Crawford and Jill Underly in our weekly phone bank starting next Tuesday, February 25th at 5pm RSVP HERE The state budget battle commenced this week with Governor Tony Evers releasing his budget. We review some highlights, including BadgerCare expansion, Prescription Drug affordability Board, and a sweeping set of new regulations on health insurance abuses, including a first in the nation audit of claims denials. This Tuesday, Citizen Action joined Wisconsin Public Education Network (WPEN) and WISDOM in calling for the Governor to leverage his potent constitutional power to veto any state budget produced by the Legislature that fails to finally secure BadgerCare Expansion, include sufficient funding for K-12 public schools, or lacks reforms needed for Wisconsin's troubled corrections system. We urge you to contact Governor Tony Evers and tell him to fight for his top budget priorities by threatening veto of any budget that fails the public on these key public priorities and others that the governor also deems essential. We encourage listeners to RSVP for our Capitol State Budget Lobby Day on Tuesday March 4th. We close reviewing the week 5 of the Trump assault on the republic, including mounting bipartisan opposition to House Republican leadership's plan announced this week to gut Medicaid funding to fund a massive tax cut for the wealthy. UW Madison's research is threatened by NIH funding cuts and we expose the fake energy emergency Trump has declared to ram through an expansion of Wisconsin fossil fuel projects.

We announce Citizen Action's endorsement of Jill Underly's re-election as Superintendent of Public Instruction. There is a primary election next Tuesday, February 18th. Please make sure you vote. Next Tuesday evening Governor Tony Evers will give his budget address speech commencing the legislative portion of the state budget process which will play out over the next few months. We preview our call for Governor Evers to veto any state budget that doesn't include better public school funding, accepting the federal Medicaid money for BadgerCare. He should also veto any budget that builds new state prisons. We are partnering with Wisconsin Public Education Network and WISDOM in this organizing campaign and urge all our listeners to call Governor Evers office next week and urge him to fight for these public priorities. As we head into a critical State Supreme Court election, Justice Janet Protasiewicz announces she will not recuse herself in the upcoming Act 10 case. We comment on the “Our billionaire is better than your billionaire” election funding of our major elections. We note the overwhelming bi-partisan support in a state Senate Committee this week for an expansion of Medicaid Postpartum Care, which Speaker Robin Vos continues to block. We urge our listeners to call their state representatives and urge them to push for a vote. We close with the many low lights of the 4th week of Trump Regime 2.0, including more clarity on Trump and the Congressional Republicans' plans to gut federal Medicaid funding, denying healthcare for millions of Americans.

Here's your local news for Wednesday, January 22, 2025:We get the details on a beloved thrift store's worker safety citations,Find out how many Wisconsin children depend on BadgerCare,Hear from both sides as DeForest considers defluoridation,Talk lake ice with a local expert,Broadcast the most comprehensive weather report on the airwaves,Travel back in time to 1968,And much more.

In the first half of the hour, Earl is joined by Shawn Phetteplace from the Main Street Alliance to discuss Badgercare expansion and the importance of affordable health care for small businesses. Then, Earl discusses Elon Musk's involvement in the sinking of the bipartisan budget deal rejected by House Republicans. The Earl Ingram Show is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Monday through Friday from 8-10 am across the state. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook and X to keep up with Earl and the show!

There are now two candidates running for the post of state Superintendent of Public Instruction and neither of them are political conservatives. We'll review the current field. And we'll talk to Shawn Phetteplace from Main Street Alliance about small business priorities for the next session of the Legislature, especially the need to expand BadgerCare to bring stable healthcare coverage to more working families. UpNorthNews with Pat Kreitlow airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-8 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and Instagram to keep up with Pat & the show! Guest: Shawn Phetteplace

Joining the guys from the Mulva Center for the Arts is Katy Compton to talk about the brand new Museum for All program that began on November 1st with other areas museum adopting the program. Anyone who is on SNAP, WIC or Badgercare health card and you'll receive reduced admission to the museums. Museums want everybody to come and enjoy the things that are brought in as these programs and exhibits are created for the community. Jason Mansmith joins in and tells us all about the events coming up for the holidays at the Thrasher Opera House! And then the conversation takes a turn as we learn Jim not only had a cat named Kuwait (yes after the war) and it died in the most remarkable way. Find out. Guests: Jason Mansmith, Katy Compton

We discuss the significance of another modest hurricane intensifying in the Gulf of Mexico into a monster storm imperiling 5 southern states. What is the role of climate change? We take a deep dive into the polling paradox of presidential elections. Polls consume the media and voters attention, along with junk ads that pollute discourse, yet they reveal little and fail repeatedly to capture reality. The Wausau mayor removes ballot drop box and charges are filed against him as two northern Wisconsin towns are sued by the DOJ for voting rights violations. What are the consequences of the GOP big lie on voter fraud? Healthcare and BadgerCare become a big issue in Legislative races and we remind our listeners it is now 6 months since devastating hospital and clinic closures and NO help has been offered for the Eau Claire/Chippewa area, leaving the region reeling and public health badly damaged. We are joined by Milwaukee County Supervisor Juan Miguel Martinez to discuss a new plan for Milwaukee's iconic Mitchell Park Domes and how their critical connection to the improved health and safety of a community and neighborhood.

In this impactful episode of "The Paul Revere Show," host Mark Thompson welcomes back Reverend Greg Lewis and Jarrod Anderson. Reverend Greg Lewis, the executive director of Souls to the Polls Wisconsin. They discuss the organization's mission to educate and empower communities about the importance of voting and civic engagement. Reverend Lewis shares valuable insights on how Souls to the Polls is making a difference across Wisconsin, helping people understand their voting rights, key election dates, and the new district maps. They delve into the challenges and successes in mobilizing voters, especially in Black and Brown communities, and the crucial issues that resonate with them, such as housing, education, and criminal justice reform. This episode also highlights the significance of early and absentee voting and the efforts to simplify the voting process. Reverend Lewis passionately talks about the need for fair representation and the ongoing fight against gerrymandering. Then Mark is joined by Jared Anderson, a healthcare attorney and candidate for the 19th Assembly District seat. Anderson discusses his work with Common Ground Healthcare Cooperative and his vision for a more collaborative, progressive approach to politics. The conversation delves into the importance of expanding BadgerCare, addressing the nursing shortage, and safeguarding reproductive rights. Anderson's commitment to improving healthcare accessibility and fostering bipartisan cooperation highlights his readiness to make a meaningful impact in Madison. Join us for a thought-provoking conversation on democracy, community organizing, and the power of voting. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in making a positive change in their community through informed voting.

Wisconsin state Sen. Brad Pfaff in studio discussing work that Legislature — that's out of session the rest of 2024 — could be doing, work he is doing, like Lansing bridge repair updates, and what needs to happen with EV charging stations. Got into it first with Pfaff (7:40) on the Senate being out of sessions for a few weeks now and just what kind of work there is to do. The Legislature is adjourned for the year. Lawmakers won't be making any laws. So, any work being done now, there's no guarantee that legislators up for re-election would even be in Madison next year to use knowledge gained now to pass laws next year. One of the things Pfaff did talk about he's working on is the Lansing bridge repairs (8:50) and getting an update from the Iowa DOT and Wisconsin DOT on how that's going.  As for what the Legislature needs to do yet (13:14), Pfaff said Badgercare expansion, his bill capping insulin prices at $35, codifying Roe v. Wade and getting rid of the state's 175-year-old abortion ban law or helping with childcare (23:15). Lastly, we talked about the state passing legislation last week to use $80 million in federal funds to being creating an EV charging network at businesses. But, does that do enough? Mentioned to Pfaff that EVs are better utilized at homes and for people who rent, landlords have little incentive to install EV chargers, so renters waste time and money having to charge their EVs somewhere else.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a lot of different discussions happening in Wisconsin about affordable health care options for farm families. Our state's largest general farm organizations are bringing it up as a top priority in this legislative session and have brought different strategies to the table. Wisconsin Farmers Union, for example, is asking the state to expand BadgerCare by accepting federal Medicaid expansion dollars. With the expansion, they hope to reach more farmers. Stephanie Hoff gives us some perspective.Potato and vegetable growers are gathered together in Stevens Point through today for their annual winter conference.  Blair Richardson leads Potatoes USA, a trade group looking for new opportunities for U.S. potatoes.  He says that they also have to be concerned about misinformation about potatoes that filters not only to consumers, but also health care providers.  He speaks with Stephanie Hoff in Stevens Point.Fundraising is the primary goal right now for WI FFA Foundation board members.  Past president, Tom Bressler, says WI FFA is experiencing tremendous growth that requires more financial resources to be really effective. It looks like U.S. cheese prices have finally hit bottom and are starting to come back up - a little.  That's the observation Andy Faulman with EverAg shared with Pam Jahnke this morning.  He also reminded dairy producers to keep an eye on dry whey prices.  He explains the correlation on whey prices to Class III milk prices which drive Wisconsin dairies.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Good soil practices are paying financial dividends for farmers in some states in the upper Midwest, and Wisconsin may soon join in.  Bob Bosold talks to Jack Cornell with the United Soybean Board about Farmers for Soil Health.  He explains their model and the companies that are already buying in, literally.Even small plots of ground can be incredibly productive.  Pam Jahnke visits with Sarah Bressler, farm manager for the Hunger Task Force's 208 acre property in Franklin, WI.  It's land leased for 30 years in partnership with Milwaukee County.  Bressler said they produced a record 411,000 pounds of fresh vegetables and produce they'll distribute to food pantries. Affordable health care is major talking point at a lot of state conventions and conferences this winter.  Stephanie Hoff gets real-life perspective from a farm couple in western Wisconsin.  Dylan Bruce from Ferryville. He and his wife operate Circadian Organics and Driftless Seed. He's also president of his Vernon-Crawford County WI Farmers Union Chapter. Dylan tells me that because farming is such a unique business, he doesn't qualify for BadgerCare. And because he's got a preexisting condition, he's got to pay for expensive insurance. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wisconsin Farmers Union is asking the state to expand BadgerCare by accepting federal Medicaid expansion dollars. With the expansion, they say they can reach more farmers, such as Dylan Bruce. He and his wife operate Circadian Organics and Driftless Seed in Ferryville. He's also president of his Vernon and Crawford County WFU chapter. Because farming is such a unique business, he doesn't qualify for BadgerCare. And because he's got a preexisting condition, he's got to pay for expensive insurance. He says expanding BadgerCare can help mitigate the pitfalls of the current system.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The state's largest general farm organizations are tagging health care as a primary issue in this legislative session. Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation is looking to have its own health care plan similar to several other state farm bureaus. And Wisconsin Farmers Union wants to expand BadgerCare by having Wisconsin join the more than 40 other states who have accepted federal Medicaid expansion funds. Gov. Tony Evers shares his thoughts. In other news, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin has seen leadership changes in the past few weeks. Chairperson Rebecca Cameron Valcq will be leaving the Evers Administration effective Feb. 2. And the Wisconsin State Senate fired Commissioner Tyler Huebner. Evers says the transition shouldn't hurt the trajectory of getting Wisconsin connected to broadband. Finally, the governor says in his travels across Wisconsin, labor needs continue to be a focal point among farmers. He's pushing the Legislature to make it feasible for farm workers to get driver's licenses.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wisconsin remains one of the very few states yet to make affordable health insurance coverage more available through a beefed-up Medicaid system. We'll talk to Robert Kraig of Citizen Action about how things could be better in our state if BadgerCare could live up to its full potential—especially by adding a public option to give […]

We comment on the wildfires choking skies across Canada and America and their direct connection to climate change. The dangerous air should teach us all about what it really feels like every day for billions on the planet. We update the state budget drama and encourage you to join Citizen Action organizers and members making calls in support of expanding BadgerCare in the state budget (every Monday, 3-5pm). Also this week, State Senate Republicans voted to put hurdles in front of unemployment benefits while the MAGA wing forced GOP state legislators to block the meningitis vaccine requirement for students. Wednesday June 14th is a BIG day in Milwaukee for advancing climate justice and an equitable economy. Robert tells us about a City Council Finance Committee public hearing for the Milwaukee City/County Climate Equity Task Force Recommendations, a bold proposal to meet the climate crisis in a way that dramatically improves racial economic equity. Finally, Citizen Action North Side Rising organizer Keviea Guiden joins us to talk about two (2) PSC public hearings in Milwaukee on Wednesday, June 14th to support creating a progressive payment plan for low income households that would cap utility costs at 6% of household income.

We discuss the federal “debt deal” that passed the House on Wednesday, setting up its passage by the Senate just ahead of the June 5th default deadline. Did President Biden effectively diffuse a figurative terrorist bomb, or did he get taking to the cleaners? Did Speaker McCarthy and the MAGA Republicans get their way, or lose their nerve, and release their figurative hostage (the American economy)? We dig into some of the most notable details, including SNAP work requirements and the resumption of student loan payments, and discuss the Republican Party's full embrace of “minority rule” in America and its parallel in Wisconsin politics. Robert tells us about an exciting new broad coalition calling for Gov. Evers to use his strong veto power to block GOP attacks on BadgerCare and Unemployment Insurance. Will this extend to using his Budget Veto as leverage to achieve finally achieve BadgerCare Expansion? We celebrate the start of Pride Month in June and reflect on why the month and celebrations like Milwaukee PrideFest are so important at this moment right-wing billionaires and MAGA politicians are fueling a new wave of anti LGBTQIA+ hate. We discuss an outstanding article in In These Times that reminds us “you can't organize alone.” We encourage you to get active in democracy and join a Citizen Action Organizing Co-op in June!

There's a woman who's divorcing her husband to keep her BadgerCare insurance. Chris Conley discusses on WSAU Feedback.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss the economic “double talk” in D.C. that rationalizes bailing out the banks (and ultra-wealthy) and not the people. Just this week, the Fed tempered their projected interest rate hikes, which were resisted by banks and their allies because of the threat to banks who have placed risky bets on low interest rates. The Fed and the banks show no such concern for unemployment, the real victims of rate hikes. We review Sen. Tammy Baldwin epic cross examination of Moderna's CEO for their outrageous COVID vaccine price hike. Will this give Senator Baldwin a great re-election issue? We also raise the alarm bills on 300,000 low income Wisconsinites who will be kicked off BadgerCare as COVID public health emergency ends April 1. Meanwhile, Congressman Bryan Steil focuses on Donald Trump's legal defense in an outrageous letter to the NYC DA which shows that Trump still commands the GOP. At the other side of the Capital, The TikTok sideshow continues in D.C. Is there any limit to the bipartisan China-bating? Meanwhile in Wisconsin, we review the latest State Supreme Court Election news and talk about report that Illinois took in $36.1 million in cannabis tax revenues last year from Wisconsin residents. Robert debriefs a few GOP “tough on crime bills” that are intended to stoke the issue and look tough while doing absolutely nothing to improve public safety.

The end of the Public Health Emergency (PHE), means there are some changes to some peoples Medicaid (AKA BadgerCare) coverage.What do you need to know? Get the lowdown on the latest edition of the NorthLakes Podcast where we talk to Access Coordinator, Medicaid expert, Patty Turner.This episode has information specific to the Spring of 2023. If you need the most up to date information about BadgerCare, Medicaid, or anything insurance related, call us at: 888.834.4551Two links mentioned in this episode:Marketplace: https://www.healthcare.gov/Medicaid/BadgerCare: https://dhs.wisconsin.gov/badgercareplus/index.htm

Robert is away from the show this week so we are joined by long time show producer, Brian Wooldridge, to get his perspective on producing over a decade of Battleground Wisconsin Podcasts. We discuss Citizen Action's release of state survey data this week that found 59% of Wisconsinites experienced at least one health care affordability burden over the last year and 39% struggled to pay the resulting bills. This survey data makes clear the intense need to expand BadgerCare in the next State Budget. We welcome new Citizen Action Driftless Co-op organizer Kristie Tweed to introduce herself and invite listeners to the Driftless Co-op Meet and Greet on Feb. 15th at 5:30pm in La Crosse. We also speak with Pio from Delta Beer Lab in Madison to thank them for a major donation to our election work and to promote Delta Beer Lab's monthly fundraising for groups, including the Wisconsin Conservation Voters in February.

We are joined by State Senator Jeff Smith to discuss the first week of the gerrymandered State Legislature. Seeking to influence the State Supreme Court race, the session opened by Republicans placing on the Spring ballot a cynical political referendum asking voter opinion on a BadgerCare work requirement and a constitutional amendment on cash bail. The top priority of this illegitimate Legislature appears to be more tax giveaways for the ultra rich. Sen. Smith tells us why he is leading the charge to oppose the Republican attack on Wisconsin's progressive income tax. We also talk about state budget strategy,rural broadband, and the deepening bi-partisan public concern over PFAS in our water. Eau Claire City Council member and Citizen Action Organizing Director Kate Felton joins us to discuss her effort to organize local leaders in Western Wisconsin to fight for desperately needed increases in state shared revenue to municipalities during the upcoming state budget fight.

Reviewing Friday's debate with Gov. Tony Evers, we note some answers offered by Republican challenger Tim Michels that sound positively liberal—but can voters believe he would actually fully fund BadgerCare and actually go after PFAS polluters, when he hasn't offered a critical word about obstruction from GOP lawmakers on these issues?

During this lunch break the conversation with Sarah Yacoub, Candidate for Wisconsin's 30th Assembly District, continues. We talk about the impacts of allowing a 160-year-old law getting reinstated and her support for Badgercare for All.Intro music by LiteSaturationOuttro music by Alex Grohl

Public option, what? A sweeping BadgerCare Public Option Bill was announced this week in the Legislature, which does more than any bill introduced in over a decade to make health care more affordable and accessible in Wisconsin. We hit on the top details of the BadgerCare Public Option Bill and why it's so important that legislation like this gets a fair hearing. In the weird and dangerous news of the week, disgraced ex-judge Michael Gableman is back in our chatter-box telling an Assembly committee that he was joining the circus. Okay maybe not, but he did give a clownish performance that spewed anti-democracy propaganda and bizarre conspiracy theories. Will Gableman succeed in nullifying Biden's 2020 victory in Wisconsin and selling Donald Trump's Big Lie? We also cover the latest Marquette Law School Poll and wonder, despite the media hoopla, if we really learned anything all that valuable. We wrap it up this week with a quick yap about the stellar pick of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson by President Biden for the US Supreme Court. Go Badgers!

We open the show with immediate reactions to the full scale invasion of Ukraine by Vladimir Putin, and the odd split on the conflict in the Trump-era GOP. Is the backing of Putin by Tucker Carlson, Donald Trump himself, and others the new normal in Republican foreign policy? We welcome new WEAC president Peggy Wirtz-Olsen for her first interview on Battleground Wisconsin to dig into what is behind the record number of teachers who want to leave their profession. Is conservative scapegoating of schools and educators making the professional unlivable? Turning to the State Legislature, we evaluate a series of historically bad bills that gut public education, expand a separate private education system, and break up Milwaukee Public Schools without any consultation from the parents and school board members of Milwaukee. Claire updates us on Senate Republican attacks on BadgerCare by GOP legislators. Congresswoman Gwen Moore, and community and labor leaders continued a push for Build Back Better and the jobs it will create this week with a media event. Finally we close by encouraging our listeners to attend a Solidarity Rally @ Noon Saturday in support of UAW Oshkosh Co. workers' effort to land the USPS truck contract, and introduce Sulma Arieas, the new Executive Director of People's Action.

We welcome Courtney Hayward and Tanya Atkinson from Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin to the show to talk about the impending threat to reproductive healthcare in Wisconsin. In addition to the looming threat to Roe v. Wade by a lawless right-wing Supreme Court, the State Legislature introduced a Texas style ban, which could end reproductive freedom even if Roe is not overturned. Next, Ben Wilson, Citizen Action Driftless Coop Organizer, joins us to urge you to attend the virtual, In The Wash: A Virtual Workshop About Wisconsin Water Quality, where you can learn how to help protect Wisconsin water. We discuss Republican state legislative attacks on BadgerCare and public education, Robert raises concerns about an anti-Asian hate bill in the legislature targeting the UW System, and we shout out state Sen. Jeff Smith for speaking truth telecom corporate conspiracy against universal broadband in Wisconsin.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is taking some heat over a piece critical of Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes being on BadgerCare and not filing an income tax return when he wasn't required to do so. We break that down and preview the YMCA Racial Justice Summit keynote and go through some COVID numbers that need to be taken with a grain of salt.

We welcome Citizen Action’s Movement Politics Director, JoAnna Bautch, to discuss Citizen Action's new podcast, This is NOT that, which premiered this week on the 1st anniversary of George Floyd's murder. The panel reviews the BadgerCare legislative Special Session that came and went quickly due to Republican intransigance. Depite refusing even to debate BadgerCare, legislative Republicans found time to attack transgendered kids and to threaten massive cuts to public school funding. Robert discusses the latest exodus of teachers in Wisconsin. Meanwhile, America's premature reopoining threatens million with pre-existing conditions and suppressed immunity. Who sounded the "all clear" siren in the middle of a global pandemic? Chris Larson enters an already crowded U.S. Senate race to take on distraced WI Senator Ron Johnson. The GOP snipes at another U.S. Senate candiate, State Treasurer Sarah Godlewski. Why is Godlewski their early target in a multicandidate field? National Democrats and mainline pundits increasingly agree that the GOP is a threat to democracy itself. But are the Democrats unified enough to stop them? We close by welcoming Citizen Action's Driftless Organizing Co-op organizer, Ben Wilson, to discuss the proposed expansion of the Roth Feeder Pig II Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) in rural Crawford County. Will corporate agriculture win again over the health and prosperity of our rural communities?

Here's your WORT Local News for Tuesday, May 25th, 2021: Republican state legislators shut down yet another special session, protesters demand the release of a man injured in the Dane County jail, a local non-profit helps people clear past court records to reduce digital stigma and in the second half of the show, we take a look at bills to limit participation by trans athletes in school sports, rescue baby

Our panel discusses Gov. Tony Evers’ declaring a special legislative session on BadgerCare Expansion with Shawn Phetteplace of the Main Street Alliance of Wisconsin. We also deconstruct a Republican state legislative effort to remove $300/weekly federal Unemployment Insurance benefits and completely cut-off the self-employed and gig workers. Citizen Action’s Movement Politics Director JoAnna Bautch joins us to announce the launch of a new Citizen Action podcast called This, Is Not That, featuring JoAnna, Citizen Action Climate and Equity Director Rafael Smith, and rising journalistic star Isiah Holmes from the Wisconsin Examiner. We close with a discussion of the CDC’s mass mask confusion created by publicly declaring that fully-vaccinated Americans need not wear masks indoors or outdoors, without revising public policy guidance for businesses and employers. What is the CDC’s motive? Will at lead to a resurgence of COVID infections?

On today's episode, we talk to Emily Voight about her frustrations with Wisconsin's healthcare system, and why it prompted her to run for state assembly. We also discuss Biden's first 100 days, Guiliani being raided by the feds, clergy abuse, and more! If you would like to email us, you can reach us at thinkpropod@gmail.com. If you like our podcast, make sure to leave a 5-star review! Useful links from the episode:Emily Voight's Website Emily’s Facebook pageEmily’s TwitterRon Johnson doesn’t think (really should stop there) that everyone should get vaccinatedWhat Joe Rogan said about COVID-19 vaccines, and why he's wrongRick Santorum says 'there isn't much Native American culture in American culture'WI AG Josh Kaul announces statewide investigation into clergy abuseFederal agents raided Rudy Giuliani’s Manhattan home and office WednesdayEvers’ 2021 Budget ProposalReport: Medicaid expansion could mean $1.6 billion more for state over next 2 yearsVos says no to plan that would provide Wisconsin with $1.6 billion for health care

The Biden administration blocks Medicaid work requirement by former Gov. Scott Walker. What will that mean for Wisconsin? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We weigh in on two national issues, first the horrific shootings in Georgia that appears to be yet another hate crime against the AAPI community, and the looming battle over the Senate filibuster and the future of the Democratic agenda. We discuss Speaker Vos’s declaration this week that the Legislation will reject the very popular plan to accept available federal money to expand BadgerCare, turning down $1.6 billion dollars supercharged by the rescue package, denying health care to the working poor during and pandemic. Is Vos serious with dozens of potentially vulnerable Republican state legislators weigh their fate heading into redistricting or it a bluff? Vos also plays scrooge yet again, declaring the Assembly is not willing to suspend a one week waiting period for unemployment benefits despite 100% federal funding in the rescue package. In yet another embarrassment, Legislative Republicans shamefully “honor” racist demagogue Rush Limbaugh while refusing to honor Black History Month. In other news, Foxconn, the white elephant of Racine County, says they might make electric cars… or maybe a monorail. Will they ever make anything that Donald Trump and Scott Walker promised in return for billions of state money?

This week we discuss the historic passage of the American Rescue Plan, universal GOP opposition, and its implications in Wisconsin. In addition to the massive aid it provides to working people, the new law puts an extra $1.6 billion dollars on the table if Wisconsin finally passes BadgerCare Expansion. Will Legislative Republicans still stand in the way? After reviewing major new agenda items that are moving in the next stage of Biden's reform agenda such as labor law reform, voting rights, and a massive green infrastructure plan, we have an exclusive interview with Wausau Mayor (and Citizen Action member) Katie Rosenberg on the city's exciting new guaranteed income pilot program.

Today's Midday podcast covers Gov. Tony Evers announcement this morning his upcoming budget will include a series of proposals aimed at reining in the costs of prescription drugs, including a $50 cap on copays for insulin and eliminating drug copays in the BadgerCare program.

We discuss the latest pandemic developments, including: a major study finds that 36,000 lives could have been saved if the US implemented mandatory social distancing earlier; Governor Evers’ moves over $1 billion in federal money to ramp up testing and tracing; and the state is now a patchwork of COVID-19 policies with some counties and municipalities lifting Safer at Home restrictions early. Robert briefs us on U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal’s new bill guaranteeing free COVID 19 testing and treatment to everyone in America by dramatically expanding Medicare. Next, we look at what is being done to expand voting opportunities in Wisconsin this fall. We close with a look at the growing strength of progressive talk radio in Wisconsin.

We discuss the growing death toll of white supremacist terrorism, last week’s mass shootings, and the tepid response from Wisconsin GOP leaders. State Senator Jon Erpenbach joins us to talk about this week’s introduction of legislation to expand BadgerCare. A new study says Foxconn jobs will cost state us $170,000 – $290,000 per job, or an astounding 6 to 10 times the national average. Finally, Citizen Action co-op organizer Noah Reif tells us about door canvassing this Saturday at 10 am in Black River Falls and next Saturday in Menominee.

We discuss Republican leaders’ sudden and desperate Joint Finance Committee vote Thursday that reveals they are losing the public debate on BadgerCare and other important issues in the state budget. We talk about new Citizen Action research demonstrating how expanding Medicaid helps fight opioid epidemic. We welcome State Treasurer Sarah Godlewski who reveals GOP plans to pull the modest expansion of her office in the state budget. We close with a discussion of the new dynamic in the 2020 Democratic presidential primary following the official entry of Joe Biden.

We discuss Governor Tony Evers media conference reacting to Republican leadership’s plan announced Wednesday to remove BadgerCare expansion from the state budget. Evers declared he would “fight like hell” to win and he needed peoples help. We also talk about Gov. Evers’ Thursday meeting with Foxconn executive Terry Gou and May Day here and abroad. We also have special interviews with Robert Borosage, contributing editor of The Nation and Tasha Green, councilwoman from the city of Westland, MI.

In the latest episode of our What the Godlewski does the State Treasurer do? segment, we discuss her state budget request for the resources needed to properly run the office. We also discuss Godlweski's plans to create a state-run retirement public option and opportunities to refinancing student loan debt. We review the week’s news including: Judge Lisa Neubauer concession in the hotly contested Supreme Court race; an Appeals court sides with Governor Evers on appointments; and Sen Tammy Baldwin joins Sen. Bernie Sanders in introducing a new Medicare for All bill with a record 13 co-sponsors. We also review the top issues raised during the first 2 Joint Finance Committee public budget hearings in Janesville and Oak Creek, and debrief the latest MU Law poll finding of 70% support for expanding BadgerCare.

We welcome Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes to discuss his first couple of months in the office and the his vision for creating opportunity in Wisconsin over the next few years. In our third installment of Sarah “what the Godlewski does the state treasurer do?” We review her effort to help UW system graduates refinance their student loan debt and GOP State Rep. Michael Schraa failing to honor his promise to sponsor legislation to put some authority and power back into the state treasurer's office. We talk about Congressman Mark Pocan’s threat to sue ICE for records related to Wisconsin arrests last year; GOP Legislative leaders plan to intervene in Planned Parenthood case challenging abortion laws; Wisconsin is now the top 2020 battleground state; and State Sen. Dale Kooyenga says he will consider supporting accepting the federal money to expand BadgerCare.

We debrief the Spring Primary elections and discuss the latest news in the important State Supreme Court election on April 2nd. The panel tears apart the junk Koch Brother funded research Republicans unveiled this week in effort to provide cover for their shameful opposition to expanding BadgerCare. We talk about Evers’ new proposal to add $28 million in the budget for women's health care. We close with an in-depth discussion of Amazon’s decision to back out of a deal to build a headquarters in New York City, and how it is dividing Democrats while providing a false narrative to Wisconsin Republicans desperately trying to defend the Foxconn implosion.

We welcome Citizen Action coop member Sarah Godlewski who is in the final stretch of her amazing campaign for State Treasurer. Sarah reminds us how important it is to vote all the way down the ballot on Tuesday, November 6th. We discuss the terrorist attack by a white nationalist in Pittsburgh and how the tragedy is a direct consequence of the hatred sewn by Donald Trump, and the Republican politics of division. We discuss the despicable new Trump ad vilifying immigrants, which some believe is even worse than the infamous Willie Horton ad. We review the new MU Law Poll and discuss the importance of getting involved in GOTV canvassing efforts the last 4 days of the election. Robert reviews a new Citizen Action report finding that allowing Wisconsinites to buy-into Badgercare as a “Public Option” would slash premiums and deductibles by as much as $24,000 for a family of four. The report also found the healthcare cost gap with Minnesota is widening.

After reviewing the draconian implications of the GOP tax scam bill that was forced through Congress this week, we welcome State Rep. Jonathan Brostoff to educate us on the GOP effort to expand Foxconn’s wetlands exemptions statewide, putting one million acres of wetlands at risk. Republicans are looking to ram the wetlands destruction bill quickly through the Legislature. Robert also tells us about Citizen Action’s 12th annual Health Insurance Cost Ranking Report which examines the cost of healthcare in different parts of the state. The report reveals the damage GOP sabotage of the ACA is causing and why BadgerCare Public Option legislation is so important. We also discuss MacIver Institute’s laughable list of the top ten lies of 2017 that includes Citizen Action for supporting BadgerCare for all. Happy holiday to all our listeners. See you in 2018!

We do a deep dive into the environmental trap that will be set if Scott Walker's Foxconn swindle is approved. We welcome Kerry Schumann, executive director of the Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters and Raj Shukla, executive director of The River Alliance of Wisconsin, to discuss the gutting of environmental standards for the benefit of one multinational corporation. We also look at the developing split between the Assembly and Senate on Foxconn and how this issue will impact the Democratic candidates for governor. Jorna exposes Sen. Ron Johnson’s ridiculous comments about John McCain’s vote to kill TrumpCare in the Senate and we look forward to our “BadgerCare for all” campaign to expand access to affordable healthcare in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Democrats recently proposed opening BadgerCare to everyone willing to buy in. They ignored warnings from the nonpartisan LFB that their plan is bad - it's likely to reduce access to healthcare for everyone on the program and could cost taxpayers more money. Vicki McKenna discusses. Read MacIver's commentary here: http://bit.ly/2vg0fhv More Vicki McKenna at News/Talk 1130 WISN: http://newstalk1130.iheart.com/onair/vicki-mckenna-29300/

2:06 – People had sex in public at the State Fair, 2:19 – An illegal immigrant committed sexual assault in Wisconsin, 2:35 – Sen. Ron Johnson on the latest on Obamacare, 2:55 – BadgerCare for all

This week Robert Kraig and special guest State Senator Chris Larson discuss the health care impasse in Washington and the innovative state bill announced this week by Legislative Democracts to open BadgerCare to everyone in Wisconsin as a public option. They also discuss the bizarre Republican maneuver in the State Assembly on a bill to outlaw health insurance lifetime and annual limits. Does it show that health care be a big electoral issue for progressives? Then we dig into the state budget impasse, and the reasons why the conservatives who dominate Wisconsin government seem unable to govern. Finally we speculate on the rumor about the infamous sweat shop company that makes iphones coming to Wisconsin. What kind of deal is Trump, Walker, and Robin Vos trying to cut and will it benefit Wisconsin workers?

We discuss the long-awaited, secretive Senate healthcare bill that includes larger cuts to Medicaid but differs little from the “mean” House bill that cuts healthcare from million Americans to provide a large tax break to the wealthy. State Rep. Eric Genrich joins us to talk about his visionary legislation to provide BadgerCare for all through a public option. We welcome Sachin Chheda, director of the Fair elections Project, to update us on the legal developments this week in the historic gerrymandering case the U.S. Supreme Court has decided to hear this fall. We also review new developments on Republican efforts to restrict free speech at the UW System and how Gov. Walker’s plan to drug test Medicaid recipients received over 1000 public comments in opposition while only 5 comments in support.

We open the show with Sen. Ron Johnson’s very disturbing comment that he is pushing his fellow Senators to legalize insurance industry discrimination against people with pre-existing conditions. We also discuss the surprising support by the Republican leading on the Opioid epidemic, Rep. John Nygren, for Gov. Walker’s shameless plan to force drug test BadgerCare recipients. We welcome new Citizen Action organizer Katie Dunn to tell us about the “Healthcare For All” Organizing Cooperative she is launching with healthcare professionals, consumers and advocates. The new cooperative will have a launch party next Thursday, June 15th at 6:30 in Milwaukee (Details below.) Turning to threats in Congress, Liz Ryan Murray, the policy director at People’s Action, joins us to talk about the CHOICE Act which deregulates Wall Street and payday lenders. Finally, Jorna Taylor joins us to discuss Paul Ryan’s new vulnerability in the 2018 election, including 3 candidates already running against the author of the wildly unpopular TrumpCare.

This week the panel digs into the latest scathing audit of WEDC, Governor Walker's failed jobs agency. The audit finds that WEDC cannot even track the number of jobs it allegedly created, has over $11 million in delinquent loans, and to top it all off spent over $41,000 on chauffeurs. The panel also discussed the new GOP anti-riot bill, the apparent appointment of extreme right-wing Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke to the Department of Homeland Security, and the shocking bad week for Trump. Finally, the panel discusses the state of the health care debate, including Walker's waiver which would impose forced drug testing for BadgerCare, and the U.S. Senate health care repeal process where Sen. Ron Johnson has joined the working group.

We welcome guest panelist Anna Dvorak to review another busy political week in Wisconsin. We cover Trump’s visit to Kenosha, Sen. Ron Johnson’s debate with high school students, Gov. Walker’s Medicaid waiver that allows drug testing and raises costs, and the push by conservatives in the legislature to end abortion coverage for state employees. We also focus on the crazy anti-government outburst from Rep. Sean Duffy at his public town hall that revealed a dangerously constricted view of government that if fulfilled would eliminate Medicare and BadgerCare and would abolish public schools. Anna details the growing movement in Wisconsin for fair elections and nonpartisan redistricting reform. We conclude by exposing the sophomoric research by a UW-Madison researcher with strong ties to Gov. Walker that claims (with no causality) that the Manufacturing and Agricultural tax break is responsible for creating 42,000 jobs - A laughable 25% of all job growth under Gov. Walker.

In a media call this morning Citizen Action of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Council on Children and Families, and substance use disorder experts Dr Richard Brown and Jesse Heffernan raised concerns about Gov. Scott Walker proposed Medicaid waiver seeking permission from the Trump Administration to make a series of changes in the state’s BadgerCare program.

We welcome sunny weather with a debrief of this week’s spring general election in Wisconsin, which included a big victory for State School Superintendent Tony Evers and a number of progressive women candidates. It appears President Trump, Paul Ryan, and House Republicans have failed to resuscitate their disastrous healthcare bill before the April recess while Gov. Walker is pushing a punitive plan to drug test BadgerCare recipients. We highlight the state budget public hearings that started this week, a Republican bill to greatly restrict election recounts, and more troubles for Walker's failing jobs agency. We close with a discussion of the immediate and long term implications of the Senate Republicans use of the “nuclear option” to ram through the conformation of Trump SCOTUS nominee Neil Gorsuch.

The GOP healthcare bill would bar Badgercare users from going to Planned Parenthood Clinics for basic services such as cancer screenings, prenatal care, and more. Over 50 thousand Badgercare patients use Plan Parenthood’s 22 clinics across Wisconsin. The post Trumpcare: Planned Parenthood appeared first on WORT 89.9 FM.

We welcome U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin to discuss her letter to Governor Walker calling on him to stop withholding data on the number of people he forced off BadgerCare who have successfully transitioned to Affordable Care Act health insurance. Sen. Baldwin also discusses the future of health care reform and her comprehensive efforts to make higher education more affordable and accessible. The panel also discusses a crazy right-wing bill to allow concealed weapons in schools, the latest outburst from Rep. “Loose Cannon” Bob Gannon, a bill to expand the number of locations you can vote early, public records concealed by Walker's WEDCulous jobs agency, and this week's Paul Ryan Watch.

Media Call: New Wisconsin Polling on Health Care Issues Impacting State Budget Citizen Action of Wisconsin will be joined by Public Policy Polling and members of the Joint Finance Committee to release new poll results on key health care issues. The polling was conducted March 6-8, and had a sample size of 1,071 Wisconsin voters. Questions include whether Wisconsin should accept enhanced federal funds for BadgerCare, and whether Governor Walker has responsibility to take action to protect Wisconsin residents from a possible U.S. Supreme Court decision that could take health insurance subsidies from over 184,000 Wisconsinites.

Citizen Action of Wisconsin joins State Senator Kathleen Vinehout and State Representative Melissa Sargent on a media call to announce a contingency plan in case the Supreme Court takes health insurance subsidies away from over 183,000 Wisconsinites. The announcement of the legislation coincides with U.S. Supreme Court oral arguments on the case of King vs. Burwell, which could take tax subsidies away from over over 13 million people in states that did not set up their own federal health insurance marketplace under the provisions of the Affordable Care Act. Participants on the call will make the case that it is malpractice for Governor Walker and the State Legislature not to create a contingency plan in the the Supreme Court takes health insurance subsidies away. Many Wisconsinites just above the poverty line were dropped from BadgerCare by Governor Walker and the Legislature in 2014 and pushed into the federal marketplace. In addition, many people on the federal marketplace have preexisting conditions, and have no where else to go to get life saving health coverage.

Recorded 1:00pm 2/16/15 Citizen Action of Wisconsin will join State Representative Daniel Riemer on a media call to announce new Iowa-style legislation to accept the federal funds for BadgerCare and make private health insurance more affordable. Announced on Presidents Day, those on the call will share how Iowa Governor Terry Branstad and many other Republican Governors have accepted the federal funds in alternative ways and how Walker can accept the funds to cover tens of thousands who lost BadgerCare and save the state hundreds of millions of dollars.

Citizen Action of Wisconsin and Wisconsin Council on Children and Families will host a media call to explain a new method for Wisconsin to accept the federal Medicaid funds for BadgerCare on its own terms. If Wisconsin requested a waiver from the federal government based on Iowa’s approved model it would allow substantial federal funding to pay for Wisconsin’s current insurance options, reducing the cost of coverage and saving the state hundreds of millions. Data will be released on the amount low income consumers would save. Savings to the state in the next state budget will also be discussed. Speaking Robert Kraig, Executive Director, Citizen Action of Wisconsin Jon Peacock, Research Director, Wisconsin Council on Children and Families State Representative Daniel Riemer Kevin Kane, Lead Organizer, Citizen Action of Wisconsin

Governor Walker has kicked over 62,000 Wisconsinites off BadgerCare by rejecting billions of dollars in federal health care funds for the program. On November 4th, Vote for Mary Burke! Mary Burke will accept the federal funds for BadgerCare.

New Report: Wisconsin Health Insurance Costs Higher Due to State Actions Statewide: On a media call Thursday July 3rd, Citizen Action of Wisconsin released “Taking the Next Step: The Role of States in Restraining Health Insurance Costs” (audio here). The full report uses statistical research techniques to demonstrate a relationship between state policy choices and health insurance rates. The report is based on first year 2014 premiums rates in 34 state which are publicly available due to the Affordable Care Act. The media call was joined by Senator Minority Leader Chris Larson and Jon Peacock of Wisconsin Council on Children and Families. The report reveals that 3 state policies that Wisconsin has not pursued have a measurable impact on the cost of coverage. Accepting federal Medicaid funds for BadgerCare, requiring insurance companies to submit proposed rates for prior approval, and having an elected insurance commissioner all are associated with lower health insurance premiums. The full report can be downloaded here. The report finds that the average Wisconsin resident will pay over $250 more per year because of failure to accept the funds for BadgerCare, while having a robust system of reviewing insurance rates could have reduced rates as much as $747.12 a year for the average individual plan. Key Findings In states that opt to reject federal Medicaid expansion funds, first year private insurance individual market rates are on average $373.68 per year higher. States such as Wisconsin which took other steps to limit the "coverage gap" when rejecting enhanced Medicaid funds still had premiums $251.29 per year higher than states which accepted the money. States with robust rate review which includes "prior authorization" for rate increases had first year insurance rate reductions of $747.12 on the individual market. States with elected insurance commissioners experienced a $519.84 reduction in private costs per year on the individual market.

Civil Discourse is a local radio show hosted by former State Senator Peter Bear and Eric Brant. Peter and Eric connect the dots from historical events to current issues in an effort to correctly predict the outcomes. They lay out current events, expand on the issues, and blend facts with their own take on the subject matter. This show aims to easily and accurately break down complex political situations for working America. Excellent show this week! We are joined by Wisconsin State Senator Jon Erpenbach to discuss Badgercare, marijuana laws, voter suppression, and more! Paul Ryan submitted a new budget, find out the specifics on this week's episode of Civil Discourse!

JANESVILLE COMMUNITY RADIO PROUDLY PRESENTS:                CIVIL DISCOURSE   Civil Discourse is a local radio show hosted by former State Senator Peter Bear and Eric Brant. Peter and Eric connect the dots from historical events to current issues in an effort to correctly predict the outcomes. They lay out current events, expand on the issues, and blend facts with their own take on the subject matter. This show aims to easily and accurately break down complex political situations for working America. Excellent show this week!  We are joined by Wisconsin State Senator Jon Erpenbach to discuss Badgercare, marijuana laws, voter suppression, and more! Paul Ryan submitted a new budget, find out the specifics on this week's episode of Civil Discourse!

This month we are joined by two guests from the Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources to talk about health care insurance options.

This month we are joined by two guests from the Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources to talk about health care insurance options.