Dear Editor, I launched an affordable interior design company in November 2023, a year after leaving a corporate job due to burnout. That year, I paid $300 a month for GHC coverage through the ACA marketplace, with subsidies. When I renewed in 2024, I had no income to report, so I was moved to BadgerCare.
Business started strong, but things have gotten tougher since the November 2024 election. The economy was healthy at the time, but the uncertainty of a new administration pushed people toward necessities rather than housing projects. My model depends on customers shopping at reputable retailers, and price increases since the election have put even these affordable options out of reach for many. Growth has slowed enough to continue receiving BadgerCare.
If I earned above the income threshold, I would pay a premium for less comprehensive coverage, and it’s hard to imagine being able to afford even $300 a month and barely making $20,000 a year. I will lose eligibility for BadgerCare when I get married next May, which will add hundreds to my monthly expenses. Can I pay for coverage on my own or will I be left without it? Without marriage, I would be faced with next year’s work requirements, more paperwork for someone who is already stretched thin.
I fully support David modernizing BadgerCare with a public option. A comprehensive, low-cost plan with a sliding scale premium, including targeted subsidies for small business owners, recognizes the real contribution small businesses make to our economy. I hope our elected officials support it.
Nancy Higgs
madison
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