Expanding eligibility for the Medical Assistance program. (FE)

What it would have done

Summary by the Legislative Reference Bureau, the Legislature's nonpartisan drafting office. It's their wording, not ours.

BadgerCare Plus and the childless adults demonstration project, known as BadgerCare Plus Core, are programs under the state’s Medical Assistance program, which provides health services to individuals who have limited financial resources. Under current law, certain parents and caretaker relatives with incomes of not more than 100 percent of the federal poverty line, before a 5 percent income disregard is applied, are eligible for BadgerCare Plus benefits. In addition, under current law, childless adults who 1) are under age 65; 2) have family incomes that do not exceed 100 percent of the federal poverty line, before a 5 percent income disregard is applied; and 3) are not otherwise eligible for Medical Assistance, including BadgerCare Plus, are eligible for benefits under BadgerCare Plus Core.

Subject to any necessary federal approval, beginning January 1, 2029, this bill changes the family income eligibility level to up to 133 percent of the federal poverty line for parents and caretaker relatives under BadgerCare Plus. The bill also expands eligibility under BadgerCare Plus to include childless adults with an income of 101 percent, before a 5 percent income disregard is applied, to 133 percent of the federal poverty line who would otherwise be covered under BadgerCare Plus Core.

Who's behind it

6 senators are its authors⁠. All 6 are Democrats.

9 more lawmakers signed on in support⁠.