JFC Hearings - Here We Come!

Now that the Governor has introduced his budget, it’s time for the Joint Finance Committee to hear from you! Put on a red shirt and join us at any of the four Joint Finance Committee hearings scheduled throughout the state. Don’t have a red shirt? No problem, we’ll bring extras!

AARP Wisconsin is seeking two major amendments to the governor’s budget.

First, the inclusion of  Medicaid expansion would provide health care coverage to over 176,000 uninsured Wisconsinites, about 40,000 of which are people between the ages of 50 and 64 who have no children in their households. This is important because many of these low-income adults have no other insurance options due to job loss, preexisting conditions, the expense of COBRA, or lack of employer sponsored insurance.

Our second big issue is the expansion of Family Care into the eight counties – Brown, Door, Kewaunee, Marinette, Menominee, Oconto, Rock and Shawano – that are ready, willing and eager to join this cost-saving program which allows people to receive long-term care services in their homes and communities rather than costly institutions.

While at the hearings, we will also be advocating for the continuation of a state law that requires telephone service providers to offer  basic landline telephone service to customers in all parts of the state. For some Wisconsinites, especially those in rural areas, a landline telephone can be a vital necessity to life.

Please join us at a hearing near you to show support for these two amendments. We’ll be easy to find, just look for the group of red shirts and come on over! If this is the first time you've been to a hearing, here are some tips on what to expect. All hearings start at 10:00 a.m..

We hope to see you there!

Can't make it to a hearing but still want your voice heard?

There are multiple ways to get invovled:

1)  Email the Joint Finance Committee to leave a comment in support of including Family Care and Medicaid expansion in the budget.

2) Contact your State Senator and Representative and ask them to make sure Family Care and Medicaid expansion are included in the budget by the Joint Finance Committee.

3) Become an AARP tele-activist.