Health Insurance Consumers in Wisconsin

As canvassers walked the streets across Wisconsin, residents were generous with their time to the Illinoisans who came in droves to their swing state. Some also discussed their health insurance coverage. In a state with six million residents (and one of the lowest uninsurance rates in the country), they shared the following:  

• ACA Coverage. A small business owner had enrolled in an ACA plan for several years. He was pleased with the coverage and the cost, as he qualified for subsidies. His employees—who worked part time while attending school—had coverage through their parents’ plans.  
• Employer-Sponsored Coverage. More than half of all residents (54%) were covered through an employer plan, thanks in part to businesses with union benefits. One fellow canvasser said that his employer increased the plan’s employee contributions in 2025. He was not happy with the effect on his family’s budget.  
• Medicaid Coverage. The state’s Medicaid managed care program covered just over one million residents. In one conversation, the individual was grateful for “my government plan.” It required a lot of paperwork, but she liked her children’s doctor.
• Medicare Coverage. Several volunteers at a campaign office were retired. Some complained about the cost of Original Medicare (and supplement plan) while others didn’t like the restrictions in their Medicare Advantage plans. All laughed that there might be as many Medicare ads on TV as there were political ads.

Wisconsinites were gracious hosts. As they made decisions about the election, they were also informed decision makers about their health care coverage, especially in terms of access, administration, and cost. In other words, these consumers were Mastering Health Insurance.

Source: KFF 2023 data

Photo: Burning bush on a beautiful fall day in Wisconsin