If you believe
ALL OF US should have access to HEALTHCARE COVERAGE . . .
and ALL OF US should have FOOD SECURITY . . .
then the Medicaid/FoodShare Task Force is for you!

We are dedicated to combating wrongs being inflicted on Wisconsinites, especially those in the Milwaukee County-area community, who face poverty and other challenges. 

The specific wrongs? The federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act, enacted in 2025, added new "work" requirements applicable to many adults otherwise eligible for healthcare coverage in Wisconsin’s BadgerCare program (medicaid) and people otherwise eligible for food benefits under Wisconsin’s FoodShare program. In some cases, people who have difficulty obtaining and retaining employment (such as those challenged by chronic healthcare conditions) will, nevertheless, have to work (or meet alternative requirements) to qualify for these programs. But the majority of people in the programs already work and, for them, the obstacle is new burdensome paperwork requirements. 

Wisconsin’s Department of Health Services (DHS) administers these programs. It has to substantially revamp administrative systems to comply with the new federal law – at significant cost. So this is also a taxpayer issue. 

Here are our main OBJECTIVES – allying with partner organizations in many cases: 

• Influence DHS to ensure new rules and systems are as individual-friendly as possible;

• Help individuals navigate through new rules and systems to ensure they get benefits;

• Roll back the federal “work” requirements.

Our work is an opportunity to get beyond talking and into doing – doing something that will improve lives. 

To join or obtain more information, please reach:

Medicaid / FoodShare Task Force Co-chairs: 

Deb Bursinger d.bursinger@lwvmilwaukee.org

Linda Laarman l.laarman@lwvmilwaukee.org