Wisconsin is ranked as the fifth highest state in the country for health care costs. Governor Evers’ proposed budget would increase those costs even more, WMC argues. The state’s largest business group says the issue is top of mind for their members, routinely ranked as the most pressing issue state leaders need to address.
“We don’t have a free marketed health care,” WMC’s Scott Manley said in a radio interview with Vicki McKenna. “We have fewer choices in the market, and we know that when consumers have fewer choices, they end up paying more for goods and services.”
The higher cost of healthcare for employers often trickles down to the consumer. According to a recent employer survey from WMC, almost half of the state’s businesses saw a double digit increase in their healthcare costs this year. Those costs are then increasing the costs of the goods and services the employer is providing.
“In order for free markets to work, you have to have consumers that can operate as consumers. They have to know what prices are and have the ability to make decisions based on cost and quality.”
Manley says healthcare price transparency legislation, including President Trump’s recent executive order, will help quell these costs. WMC plans to continue work with state legislators, including Senator Mary Felzkowski on price transparency legislation.
