To the editor,

Why would anyone not want every Wisconsinite to have good affordable healthcare? Or prevent illness?

Alas, Wisconsin is now 49th in funding Public Health. Only $18.64/person, $69/total with federal money is our present funding.

The states around us receive almost double this amount. In Wisconsin there are 84 public health districts each receiving only $6,000 for all functions. We are not 49th in health outcomes but only 33rd showing how hard healthcare workers are working. The new president of the Wisconsin Medical Society announced restoring funding for public health is a priority.

How did we get here? The GOP majority in our legislature refused to fully expand Medicaid/Badgercare in Wisconsin in every budget since 2014 no matter the evidence of how it would improve the “virtuous circle” of health support for Wisconsinites and health systems including mental health and dental. Many now have no insurance.

Wisconsin has lost $2.6 billion from not expanding Medicaid, our share. HR1 passed last year cut almost $1 trillion from Medicaid and replaced it with $50 billion in support for rural healthcare with restrictions and need for specific applications. Good news, Evers’ administration has applications approved. This will not make up for the cuts that include “Food Share.”

Since 2025, massive federal cuts to health care, special testing labs, food surveillance networks, soil and water networks. The Trump Administration took us out of the WHO, blinding us to what infections are coming our way. Good news, the Evers administration has joined GOARD and 11 other states to track infections.

EPA has cut regulations of toxic and suspected carcinogens. Why?

Deficits are not decreased. These federal cuts puts Wisconsin on its own with diminished resources. 

All of us together need to organize and work to protect ourselves as a state to turn this situation toward a better “Virtuous Circle.” We do not have to be confused by fighting opinions. We can read the CBO analysis of HR1 for ourselves and look up voting records of our elected officials. Read about big changes to EPA and cuts to FEMA.  

Wendy Dart

Maiden Rock