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2/26/2010
Fitzgerald: WI Democrats Approve ObamaCare-lite
Today, Senate Democrats approved a government-run health care bill that leaves taxpayers to pick up the tab. SB 484 creates a state-run health insurance program called the BadgerCare Plus Basic Plan. The bill puts the state of Wisconsin in the role of being an insurance company and is the latest piece in the government-take over of heath care in Wisconsin.
Throughout the debate on the bill, Republicans pointed out private sector plans that provide the same benefits for a lower cost, but Democrats moved forward in approving the government-run plan. They also fought an audit that would place greater accountability on the program and its operations, arguing against transparency in a program that could leave taxpayers holding the bag.
BadgerCare Basic is yet another program that will fall on the shoulders of Wisconsin citizens. Democrats’ poor budgeting practices in the 2009-2011 budget resulted in them increasing taxes and fees by $5 billion. We will need to raise nearly 8% in new revenue to break even in the next budget. This has already caused Wisconsin to be listed in the top 10 states facing fiscal collapse and put the state amongst the top 10 states with the worst business climates.
We are on a slippery slope as government gets involved in competing with the private sector, which could fill this need better, cheaper, and with no risk to taxpayers. Democrats have turned a deaf ear to private sector solutions. BadgerCare Basic promises something that the state won’t be able to deliver. This program will only get bigger, not smaller. We need to take steps to address cost rather than adding more people to government programs. Instead, this irresponsible legislation shifts the bill onto taxpayers and brings us ever closer to ObamaCare.
Scott Fitzgerald is the Senate Republican Leader and represents the residents of the 13th Senate District.
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• 8th Congressional Candidate Forum, Jan. 25
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• Join the blaze orange army and say ‘Enough is Enough’
• The future of government-run health care
• Tax on banks is a really bad idea
• Roth, Savard on the stump, grassroots style
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• Burri: Yup, Dems really are going to bypass a conference
• The $2.7 billion Wisconsin deficit no one told you about
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• Rahmlow: Why is Van Hollen dodging the Nebraska deal?
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| 2009 |
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• The Lawton-Bader files
• Yup, it’s the TAX LEVY, not the tax RATE
• Ellis: costly automobile insurance laws must be rolled back
• If not Barrett, who?
• The subsidy game
• Burri: Bailouts, Banks, Health Care, and the Mob
• Attend Appleton Schools budget meeting tonight
• A public option WON’T increase costs? That’s delusional!
• Appleton Schools budget meeting Monday
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• Burri: If anything, we need more obstructionism around here
• WI on the leading edge - in the wrong direction
• Rep. Montgomery: Utility Customers Join State’s Crime-Fighting Efforts
• Public Conservation and Recreation Lands Total 16.5% of State
• In the crow's nest of the Titanic, shouting 'Iceberg!'
• Is Rep. Nelson a political hack?
• Health care: The road ahead will be brutal
• Kagen's pandering again
• Birthers - good stuff for you
• How much do we bend over backward for seniors?
• The trouble with health care is paying for it
• Two-parent families: The Gold Standard
• Burri: Kids... the joys and blessings
• Very, very worried about health care
• Rep. Huebsch: Wisconsin is proof government health care isn’t the answer
• School district contracts push up tax levy
• What? Obama, the Peace Prize?
• TODAY - hearing on Campaign Finance Reform
• Appleton School District tax levy up way too much
• CBO report is out - and the bill isn't even written yet?
• So, how much do YOU budget for health care?
• Burri: Copenhagen trip was amateurish
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• Cap and Trade. Always follow the money
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• Future Wisconsin Conference for Conservatives, October 10, Wauwatosa
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• Important votes Tuesday, including Appleton Common Council
• Democrats are becoming supply siders??
• Further debunking Hillary myths
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• From Mark Gundrum: One of the greatest honors an American can experience
• 'Operation Chaos' working?
• Joe Martin the best candidate in Appleton's 8th
• State programs to cut? - Volume II
• Oh the naivete of youth
• Not just disingenuous - flat wrong
• Steve - you will be missed
• Make cuts only AFTER you're elected....
• Getting serious: What programs can we cut?
• Rep. Steve Kagen joining me on Jerry Bader Show today
• Rep. Van Roy: Dental Care Pilot Program
• Has Dave Obey turned the corner on earmarks?
• Speaker Huebsch: Governor turns down Federal Aid?
• Mark Rahmlow: "We're Broke."
• As taxpayers, how do we know if it's a Chevy or a Lexus?
• This is trash talk - about a veteran
• Frank Lasee: Take time to get the Compact right
• 'The Gableman Ad' - is it racist?
• Roth thankful, Kagen shaking money tree
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• Any chances???
• I'm doing the Jerry Bader Show, today, the 11th
• Representative Frank Lasee: Final Waltz of the Season
• Guest Blog: It's not the county's business to be in the nursing home business
• Yup, Hillary won Texas and Ohio
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• Lies from Planned Parenthood and NARAL
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• Lots of ideas. No money.
• The Cigarette Tax - "Poor Policy Instrument?"
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• A librarian, a legislator, a president
• $1.25/pack - NO, NO, NO, and NO
• Kagen and Reagan in the same breath?
• Menasha: behind the 8-ball, but not biting the dust
• Any way you slice it, Wisconsin government wants (further) in on health care
• The World is Flat...what about health care?
• The PAC - too precious to fail. Day 3
• News follow-ups: Appleton West, Kagen at the White House
• Fox Cities PAC - too precious to fail - Day 2
• Fox Cities PAC - too precious to fail
• New Transit Tax coming your way
• Rep. Petri has his finger in the dike - I guess
• AASD Retirement Costs Burdensome
• Health care, health care, health care, health care
• Water rate increase was no slam dunk
• Education for all is just a bad dream
• New Year's resolutions from a parade snob
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