WI Budget Repair Bill Bad for Our Health

I don't normally explore politics on this blog in quite this fashion..but the historic events going on in my home state of Wisconsin right now demand attention.

Not only could Governor Scott Walker's Budget Repair Bill undermine our communities’ socio-economic vitality by eliminating most public workers’ bargaining rights, reducing pay, and putting our public schools at risk, but our state public health programs could be effectively destroyed. 

Because the bill would give the Walker administration power to gut funding to public health programs administered through the Department of Health Services our health programs for the impoverished—essential services our seniors, children, and farmers rely on—could be cut without any input from the legislature.  I spoke with a nurse colleague of mine today who expressed concerns that our SeniorCare and BadgerCare programs could be slashed.  “Immunization programs, free clinics, medication assistance for seniors, well women’s programs....they’re all at risk.”

This is why so many of my friends and colleagues have joined the tens of thousands protestors around the capital and here in Milwaukee as well.  There are so many ways we can raise our voices against the dissolution of citizen rights.  You can read the bill here and then take (or continue to take) action....you could start with something as simple as this: Join the Wisconsin Wave.