EPISODE · Nov 3, 2023 · 49 MIN
Be like Ady Barkans
from Battleground Wisconsin · host Brian Wooldridge
We discuss the passing of healthcare activist Ady Barkan, who turned his fight against ALS into a crusade to break the monopoly power of the corporate insurance giants that are failing millions of Americans. We explain the importance of the introduction of the BadgerCare Public Option bill in the state legislature, and discuss our news conference at the Green Bay Labor Council with lead legislative author Representative Kristina Shelton. The bill is the only one dealing with the skyrocketing cost of health care in this Legislative Session, as the GOP continues to introduce culture war issues that do nothing to improve the lives of average Wisconsinites. In a related development, a new national report finds that nearly 7 in 10 U.S. adults say they receive medical bills they cannot afford and many are skipping needed medical care. The huge Brewers stadium subsidy bill is pulled from the floor, delaying action on the bill. What does it mean that even with a full court press by the unified corporate elite, Governor Evers, and Robin Vos, there are not enough votes in the Senate to pass it. While too many state politicians have been busy trying to ram through $546 million to a billionaire, the City of Waupun takes a rare step to invest public funds in child care after the GOP blocks all state action to address the access crisis. We close by reviewing news the Public Service Commission will be announcing electric rate increases this week, as We Energies says it will accelerate plans to stop burning coal and reaffirms an Oak Creek plant shutdown.
What this episode covers
We discuss the passing of healthcare activist Ady Barkan, who turned his fight against ALS into a crusade to break the monopoly power of the corporate insurance giants that are failing millions of Americans. We explain the importance of the introduction of the BadgerCare Public Option bill in the state legislature, and discuss our news conference at the Green Bay Labor Council with lead legislative author Representative Kristina Shelton. The bill is the only one dealing with the skyrocketing cost of health care in this Legislative Session, as the GOP continues to introduce culture war issues that do nothing to improve the lives of average Wisconsinites. In a related development, a new national report finds that nearly 7 in 10 U.S. adults say they receive medical bills they cannot afford and many are skipping needed medical care. The huge Brewers stadium subsidy bill is pulled from the floor, delaying action on the bill. What does it mean that even with a full court press by the unified corporate elite, Governor Evers, and Robin Vos, there are not enough votes in the Senate to pass it. While too many state politicians have been busy trying to ram through $546 million to a billionaire, the City of Waupun takes a rare step to invest public funds in child care after the GOP blocks all state action to address the access crisis. We close by reviewing news the Public Service Commission will be announcing electric rate increases this week, as We Energies says it will accelerate plans to stop burning coal and reaffirms an Oak Creek plant shutdown.
NOW PLAYING
Be like Ady Barkans
No transcript for this episode yet