Spring Break
Senator discusses health care problems in Hibbard
Vinehout addresses issues from study
Tara Bannow
Issue date: 4/17/08 Section: News
Dozens of students, faculty and community members crowded into room 100 of Hibbard Hall Tuesday afternoon to learn about the results of a research project on health care and their state representative's response.
State Sen. Kathleen Vinehout (D-Alma) reacted to "A Descriptive Analysis of Health Care Coverage and Concerns in West Central Wisconsin" and her plans of ensuring such concerns are met with reform.
Faculty researchers Eric Jamelske, assistant professor of economics; Jennifer Johs-Artisensi, assistant professor of management and marketing and Lois Taft, professor of nursing, presented their findings to the audience.
According to a study by UW-Eau Claire professors, almost 70 percent of those surveyed said Wisconsin's health care system is currently in a state of crisis or is experiencing major problems; while only two percent said there are no problems.
The study also showed that 95 percent of participants believe the government should work to improve health care by making it more affordable. In addition, almost 90 percent said the government should reduce the number of uninsured citizens
While most think of employers as being the providers of health care, Jamelske said the number of them that offer care to their employees has been declining dramatically over time.
Much of Vinehout's speech focused on the Healthy Wisconsin proposal for health care reform passed in 2007 by the state Senate but not by the Assembly.
Under Healthy Wisconsin, the Healthy Wisconsin Authority, a public board consisting of members submitted from statewide labor or union coalitions, business and employer organizations, public school teacher labor organizations, small business organizations, general farm organizations, health care consumer organizations as well as one self-employed member, would govern the state's health care. Potential members would need to be approved by the governor and the Senate and would serve six year terms.
The goals driving the marketplace, profit and efficiency, are not the goals the public holds as a common good for the state, she said
State Sen. Kathleen Vinehout (D-Alma) reacted to "A Descriptive Analysis of Health Care Coverage and Concerns in West Central Wisconsin" and her plans of ensuring such concerns are met with reform.
Faculty researchers Eric Jamelske, assistant professor of economics; Jennifer Johs-Artisensi, assistant professor of management and marketing and Lois Taft, professor of nursing, presented their findings to the audience.
According to a study by UW-Eau Claire professors, almost 70 percent of those surveyed said Wisconsin's health care system is currently in a state of crisis or is experiencing major problems; while only two percent said there are no problems.
The study also showed that 95 percent of participants believe the government should work to improve health care by making it more affordable. In addition, almost 90 percent said the government should reduce the number of uninsured citizens
While most think of employers as being the providers of health care, Jamelske said the number of them that offer care to their employees has been declining dramatically over time.
Much of Vinehout's speech focused on the Healthy Wisconsin proposal for health care reform passed in 2007 by the state Senate but not by the Assembly.
Under Healthy Wisconsin, the Healthy Wisconsin Authority, a public board consisting of members submitted from statewide labor or union coalitions, business and employer organizations, public school teacher labor organizations, small business organizations, general farm organizations, health care consumer organizations as well as one self-employed member, would govern the state's health care. Potential members would need to be approved by the governor and the Senate and would serve six year terms.
The goals driving the marketplace, profit and efficiency, are not the goals the public holds as a common good for the state, she said
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