Rep. Cory Mason Calls for Hearing Over Dismantling Health Care

Representatives Cory Mason (D-Racine) and Tamara Grigsby (D-Milwaukee) want the Joint Committee on Finance to convene an immediate hearing to fully explore how the Department of Human Services plans to trim $550 million from the public healthcare budget.

After weeks of releasing bits and pieces of the department's plan to save money on public healthcare, DHS just on Mon., Oct. 31, released its full, 300-page document.

“This plan is filled with even more of the bad choices Republicans have been making all year,” said Mason in a written statement. “The Walker Administration has made a very conscious choice to deny health care to tens of thousands of Wisconsin residents to pay for tax breaks to special interests and corporations."

Grisby agreed.

“Attacking everyday people has become business as usual for the Walker Administration,” she stated in the same release. “How could anyone propose a plan that so clearly attacks health care in Wisconsin? The GOP must stop playing games with people’s lives.”

Representative Robin Vos (R-Rochester), co-chair of the joint committee, said he is open to having a hearing.

"Rep. Vos welcomes the public hearing and is in favor of an open and transparent process," said a representative from his office. "The goal is to continue a sustainable health care assistance program for the citizens who need it the most."

Mason and Grigsby also request that DHS Secretary Dennis Smith attend the hearings to answer questions from committee members.

How would you propose to help plug the hole in public healthcare in Wisconsin?