Wisconsin Enacts Legislation to Create State Reinsurance Program
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker yesterday legislation authorizing the state to pursue federal approval to create a state-based reinsurance program to help stabilize premiums in the individual health insurance market. 鈥淲e applaud Governor Walker鈥檚 leadership in developing, and the Legislature鈥檚 bipartisan support in passing, SB 770, which creates a reinsurance program aimed at sustaining coverage expansion in Wisconsin 鈥 a key priority for WHA in Madison and in Washington, D.C.,鈥 Wisconsin Hospital Association President and CEO Eric Borgerding. The legislation was signed during ceremonies at Tomah (WI) Memorial Hospital and HSHS St. Mary鈥檚 Hospital Medical Center in Green Bay. The state will apply to the Department of Health and Human Services for a Section 1332 waiver to create the program. In a to federal lawmakers, Walker voiced support for certain changes to make the waiver process more efficient.