Wisconsin residents get chance to speak out on Medicaid

MADISON, Wis. — Opponents of the plan by Gov. Scott Walker’s administration to cut more than half a billion dollars from Medicaid will get a chance to speak out at a public hearing in Madison on Wednesday.

The state Department of Health Services is holding the hearing to gather input on its plan. A second hearing is planned for Friday in Milwaukee.

The cuts would tighten eligibility requirements, increase premiums and could result in tens of thousands of people losing their coverage.

The Save BadgerCare Coalition, which includes advocates for public health, the aging community, children and others, plans to be at the hearing to voice opposition to the proposal.

State officials say changes must be made because of increasing costs and demand.