Two months after the 2025 Budget Reconciliation Bill was passed, you will still encounter conversations about its impact on your healthcare. Also called the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” the law reduced federal support for Medicaid and changed the eligibility requirements. Republicans say the changes will ensure the public insurance program’s existence for those who need it most. At the same time, Democrats point out that thousands will be unable to afford their insurance or be kicked off of it entirely as a result. The bill’s passage triggered a tour of the state by U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin that included a stop at Door County Medical Center and a town hall event hosted by Citizen Action of Wisconsin at Third Avenue Playhouse in Sturgeon Bay last month. State Rep. Joel Kitchens says that while the Wisconsin Legislature has very little say on what happens at the federal level, he believes the recently passed budget helps fill in some of the gaps that are being left. In addition to millions of dollars to raise reimbursement rates for obstetric and opioid treatment services, he says increasing the hospital assessment will help hospitals like Door County Medical Center receive more federal matching funds, which can address their needs, such as offsetting Medicaid costs.

Wisconsin is among the health care leaders in the country, ranking ninth in health care systems and the eighth lowest cost of care. Kitchens also points out the state excels in insurance coverage, care coordination, and preventative services.