Bills · 2025-2026 Regular Session
Relating to: expanding eligibility for the Medical Assistance program. (FE)
Insurance — Health Medical assistance
- Introduced, stopped here
- Passes Senate, not reached
- Passes Assembly, not reached
- Governor signs, not reached
- Law, not reached
Unfamiliar terms? Glossary
What this bill does
Plain-language analysis by the nonpartisan Legislative Reference Bureau
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.
Sponsors
Introduced by: Hesselbein (D) , L. Johnson (D) , Larson (D) , Ratcliff (D) , Roys (D) , Spreitzer (D)
Full history
- Mar 12, 2026 · Senate
Introduced by Senators L. Johnson, Hesselbein, Larson, Ratcliff, Roys and Spreitzer; cosponsored by Representatives Stubbs, Arney, Goodwin, Joers, Johnson, Moore Omokunde, Sinicki, Subeck and Taylor
- Mar 12, 2026 · Senate
Read first time and referred to Committee on Licensing, Regulatory Reform, State and Federal Affairs
- Mar 23, 2026 · Senate
Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1