Evers considers ending Walker’s BadgerCare work rule

Gov.-elect says it may limit health care access

MADISON - Gov.-elect Tony Evers is considering ending a new policy that will require some people to work to receive health insurance through the state’s BadgerCare Plus program.

Even if Republican lawmakers strengthen the requirement during a lame-duck session before Evers takes office, the incoming Democratic governor will review ways to limit the requirement, he told reporters Wednesday.

Evers also said he would consider a range of people to replace him when he steps down in January as state schools superintendent — including state Sen. Luther Olsen (R-Ripon).

Appointing Olsen would create a vacancy in the Senate that would have to be filled by a special election, giving Democrats a chance to narrow the Republican majority in that house.

Olsen said he was flattered but downplayed the chances he would get the job.

Evers may end work requirement

Last month, President Donald Trump’s administration approved a request by GOP Gov. Scott Walker to require healthy people under 50 who have no dependent children to work to receive BadgerCare coverage.

Evers said he was troubled by that policy and may try to get out of it, though he stressed that no decisions have been made.

“Any time we take away people’s ability to access health care and access help that they need, I think it’s a step in the wrong direction,” Evers said at a stop at American Family Children’s Hospital.

“We’ll be following that closely and working hard to make sure that people have that ability to access good care and the resources they need in order to thrive as citizens of the state of Wisconsin.”

Republicans have been concerned Evers would try to end the requirement and have said they may seek to pass legislation before he takes office Jan. 7 that would put the requirement into state law. Walker, who lost to Evers in the Nov. 6 election, would have to sign off on the measure.

If that were to happen, Evers said he would review whether there were administrative steps he could take to limit the work requirement.

“We’re waiting to see what sort of response is necessary,” Evers said. “We’ll look at all the possibilities.”

Aides to Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) and Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau) could not be reached for comment late Wednesday.

BadgerCare Plus is available to adults with incomes below the poverty threshold, which is $12,140 this year.

The work requirement is to be implemented in the coming year. It could result in people being removed from BadgerCare for six months if they do not work or participate in job training for four years.

The Trump administration also approved other changes in October to BadgerCare, including ones that would require some adults without dependent children to pay premiums and copayments for unnecessary emergency room visits.

Evers to appoint schools superintendent

Evers has been state schools superintendent since 2009 and he will leave that post when he is sworn in as governor. He said Wednesday he would

likely appoint a replacement to finish his term rather than call a special election.

“We’re looking at all options,” he said when asked about Olsen. “There’s options internally and externally, but under no circumstances have I made any decisions on that.”

Asked again about Olsen specifically, he said, “There’s all sorts of people I’m thinking about.”

Olsen said he hadn’t thought much about the possibility because he did not think he was being seriously considered for it.

“I haven’t been approached and I haven’t approached anyone,” said Olsen, who has known Evers since before he was state schools superintendent.

Olsen, who is chairman of the Senate Education Committee and a member of the Legislature’s budget committee, said he and Evers work well together and respect each other.

“I’m happy being a senator,” Olsen said. “I would be honored (to be asked). If he asked me, I would seriously, seriously consider it ... but I just don’t see that happening.”

Republicans will control the Senate 19-14 starting in January. If Olsen left and a special election were held in his Republican-leaning district, Democrats would have a chance to narrow the margin to 18-15.

Evers said he would consider keeping one or more of Walker’s cabinet secretaries or appointing other Republicans to his administration. He offered praise for Tourism Secretary Stephanie Klett, a Walker appointee, when asked about her.

“She is one of many people we will consider,” Evers said. “Obviously, she’s done a good job, as have other Walker appointees. But I’m not in any position to make a decision (yet) but certainly Stephanie is one that did a good job.”

“Diversity is important. Republican, Democrat — it doesn’t matter,” Evers said.