October 30, 2026 – Daily Jefferson County Union
A recent Kaiser Family Foundation poll found that health care costs and gas prices were tied as voters’ greatest concern related to their cost of living.
William Penterman, who represents Assembly District 38, did no favors with his recent remarks at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds candidate forum. He brags on social media about one of his bills that became law in six years, which enhances penalties for minor shoplifting offenses. Neither this bill nor any of his other actions have done anything to improve healthcare access or reduce healthcare costs for the people of his district.
During the forum, the only thing he got right is that Dodge and Jefferson counties have “some of the best rural hospitals in the state”. Sadly this lack of understanding is evident when he said, “it doesn’t make sense to expand Medicaid. We’re a very generous state, but at some point, you have to say no.
“What Mr. Penterman does not seem to get is that his congressional GOP partners have already cut almost $1 trillion for Medicaid over the next decade and have also starved 19,000 individuals who get healthcare through the ACA marketplace in his district and surrounding areas, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.
Health systems serving the 38th District – such as Watertown Regional Medical Center and For Health Care Network – face distinct financial pressures from upcoming federal changes, such as a cap on provider payments and increased uncompensated care, which will profoundly affect healthcare access and costs in District 38.
Beginning in 2028, managed care directed provider payments will be capped at 110% of Medicare rates. What that means is that the state of Wisconsin will be limited in how much it can reimburse local hospitals for treating Medicaid patients, tightening the thin operating margins of local clinical facilities.
In addition, as the GOP’s new federal Medicaid work requirements and six-month eligibility audits lead to a drop in enrollment local hospitals will face a spike in uninsured patients utilizing emergency rooms and driving up uncompensated care losses. We are already feeling the pain. Rural healthcare facilities have been hit especially hard, causing widespread service reductions. a sharp rise in uncompensated emergency care, and hospital closures in the western part of the state.
In contrast, his opponent, Terri Wenkman, had real answers such as actually expanding Badgercare, supporting EMS as they struggle to stay financially afloat in rural communities, and growing the health care workforce by providing tax incentives for healthcare workers in rural communities. That’s the kind of novel thinking and problem solving we need in Madison, not just a “yes man” to the misguided folks in Washington D.C.
ELLEN HAINES,
Helenville
