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  • Mining Bill Unveiled
    A mining bill was unveiled today at a State Capitol news conference. It would streamline Wisconsin’s mine permitting process and was written specifically for an out-of-state mining company that wants to build an open pit iron mine in Northern Wisconsin.
  • Meeting Tuesday night about Hoan Bridge bike lane
    "There is a great deal of support for a bike lane over the Hoan Bridge. It's something we've been talking about for more than a decade," said Rep. Richards.
  • Rep. Richards to host meeting Aug. 23 on Hoan Bridge bike lane
    Prospects for a bike and pedestrian lane on the Hoan Bridge have shifted from no to maybe, and residents have been invited to share their views at a neighborhood meeting in Bay View on Aug. 23.
  • Same rules for all
    The state Supreme Court has said it cannot enforce the open meetings law against the Legislature. So let's change the state constitution to give the courts the necessary authority.
  • Amendment would hold state Legislature to open meetings law
    Madison - The Legislature would be subject to the state's open meetings law under a proposed amendment to the state constitution unveiled by Assembly Democrats on Thursday.
 
Dear Neighbor,
 
Wisconsin families would never have to worry about being denied insurance due to a pre-existing condition or losing their coverage when someone gets sick under a patients’ bill of rights I announced yesterday with health care consumers and advocates.
 
The Wisconsin Patients’ Bill of Rights secures key patient protections provided under the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA) into state law.
 
Putting a patients’ bill of rights into state law ensures that the fundamental health insurance protections already provided under the ACA cannot be taken away from our family, friends and neighbors at the whim of Washington or the courts.
When lawsuits were initially filed challenging the constitutionality of the ACA I was very skeptical. However, as we’ve seen, some courts around the country have agreed with the legal arguments made by opponents of the law.
 
Now it looks likely that the U.S. Supreme Court will decide the fate of the nation’s health care reform law. This has created uncertainty and anxiety, especially for children and adults with pre-existing conditions who are currently guaranteed health insurance under the law.
We cannot risk losing the patient protections that help families, women, children, seniors and people with disabilities. These strong protections are good for Wisconsin families today, tomorrow and everyday into the future.
 
The Wisconsin Patients’ Bill of Rights would secure these protections into Wisconsin state law:
 
  • It prohibits insurers from denying coverage based on a pre-existing condition or dropping coverage when someone gets sick.
  • It removes annual and lifetime benefit caps for children and adults.
  • It guarantees preventive care without co-pays and deductibles.
The bill also provides other key protections. It requires health insurers to offer coverage to all applicants, guarantees choice of primary care providers, requires full emergency care coverage in and out of network, caps premium surcharges based on age, and requires readable insurance policies that are clear to the average person.
 
I am co-authoring the Wisconsin Patients’ Bill of Rights with state Senator Jon Erpenbach.
As always, it is a pleasure to be able to stay in touch with you! Please feel free to contact me with any concerns, questions or ideas you may have.
 
Sincerely,
JON RICHARDS
State Representative
19th Assembly District
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