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Two additional Co-op Care bills win approval with WIB’s
leadership. One bill lifts the limit on the number of health insurance
cooperatives that can be formed. The other bill specifies that the
Commissioner of Insurance may not interfere with establishing Co-op Care
programs. Commissioner Jorge Gomez resigns in December, 2006.
Several “radical” health insurance reform plans are touted
at the State Capitol but none is close to passage. Most of the plans provide
close to universal coverage and promise to significantly reduce costs.
Some leading Democrats in the legislature propose expanding
the sales tax base to business services to raise more money for “property
tax relief.” WIB leads efforts to defeat sales tax base expansion. Governor
Doyle signs a “balanced” budget that WIB complains still uses too much
“smoke & mirrors.” WIB continues fight for honesty in state budgeting.
Three bills to regulate use of automatic renewal clauses in
business contracts get legislative hearings but are stalled by Speaker John
Gard. The bills will be back in the 2007 session. Speaker Gard will not.
This legislation remains a top WIB priority.
Milwaukee County leads opposition to WIB’s efforts to
increase the small claims court jurisdictional limit. |
