Menomonie, Wis. — On Saturday morning, 55 members of GROWW (GrassRoots Organizing Western Wisconsin) gathered inside a public meeting room off the entry way of the Menomonie Public Library. As a US government shutdown entered its third day, GROWW joined the growing number of Wisconsinites sending a message to Rep. Derrick Van Orden and members of Congress: break partisan gridlock and take action to restore health care access for working families.

Legislation, passed earlier this summer by President Trump and Congressional Republicans, extends dramatic 2017 tax cuts for corporations and the wealthiest Americans while slashing over $1 trillion funds that help make health coverage affordable for millions of Americans – including Medicaid (Badgercare), CHIP, and the Affordable Care Act.

Starting in 2026, unless Congress takes action now, health insurance premiums will double for 22 million people and coverage will be terminated for 15 million people.

“I am one of those people. My seven year old daughter Eleanor is one of those people. My six year old son Henry is one of those people.” said GROWW member Angie Wolf who works full time and two jobs to care for herself and her kids.

“My story is not unique. There are over 2,000 of us in Dunn County alone who are set to lose Medicaid.” The mother of two described laying away at night in uncertainty and fear, “If I lose health care, will I need to find a third job to purchase expensive health insurance through the ACA? How will that affect my work schedule and childcare?  How will I care for my family?”

Phil Verges, a Pierce County farmer shared his mounting concerns. After his wife became eligible for Medicare this fall, he enrolled in a Marketplace exchange plan in September with minimal premiums thanks to subsidies—a bridge to his own Medicare eligibility next fall.

“Now I hear that the subsidies are being dramatically decreased. I have no idea what I’ll be paying in January, it could be hundreds of dollars more per month. Money farmers like me don’t have at this time.” he explained. “I’ve been harvesting soybeans the past few days. As I sit in the combine and do the math. I’m currently losing about $85 per acre. That leaves a lot of worry and stress. Hard to pay the bills with negative income. And now I have to worry if I can afford health insurance.”