http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/healthcare-sen-tour-cashton-s440.jpgState legislators hear from healthcare providers on the struggles rural Wisconsinites face accessing and affording healthcare.

CASHTON, WI – Senate Democrats continued the Affordable Wisconsin Tour today in Cashton, Wisconsin at Scenic Bluffs Community Health Center. Senators Brad Pfaff, Sarah Keyeski, and Representative Jenna Jacobson toured the facility and heard from healthcare providers on the struggles rural Wisconsinites face is accessing and affording healthcare.

Just 9 days before residents across Wisconsin see their health insurance premiums skyrocket at the hands of Republicans, Senate Democrats reinforced their commitment to lowering healthcare costs across the state during their visit to the rural community health center. Rural Wisconsin is the home to over 1 million of our residents who require and deserve access to affordable care.

As a result of the administration's attack on affordable healthcare, over 270,000 residents will lose their health insurance, healthcare costs in our state will increase by over $280 million, and starting November 1st insurance premiums are expected to increase significantly. Despite the fact that healthcare is consistently among the most important issues to voters, Republicans in DC and in Madison continue to make it more difficult and more expensive for people to receive the care they need.

Representative Jenna Jacobson made the following comment on the need to address healthcare costs:

“There is no question that healthcare in Wisconsin continues to be far too expensive for our hardworking residents. This administration’s attacks on healthcare access; from kicking hundreds of thousands of Wisconsinites off their insurance to ensuring ACA premiums skyrocket, are further proof that we need to address this issue at the state level. I am running for State Senate to ensure Senate Democrats are leading the fight to guarantee that residents of our state can afford the medicine and care they need.”

Senator Brad Pfaff made the following comment on the state of rural healthcare in Wisconsin:

“With over a million Wisconsin residents living in rural areas of our state, centers like Scenic Bluffs are more important than ever. These crucial and often overlooked communities deserve the same standard of care as Milwaukee or Madison, and Senate Democrats are working everyday to ensure that our rural healthcare centers receive the support they need to serve our hardworking families. With the drastic increases in healthcare costs that our residents are facing, and the rising cost of living across our state, we are committed to making Wisconsin more affordable for everyone.”