Wisconsin's BadgerCare Program Offers Innovative Approach for Family Coverage

Wisconsin’s BadgerCare program is viewed by many as a model for how other states could pursue comprehensive health insurance coverage for lower income families. The program provides health insurance to working families — both children and their parents — and seeks to eliminate barriers to successful employment by providing a transition for families from welfare to private insurance. BadgerCare’s success is founded on its family coverage approach, its single point of entry and administrative seamlessness, and the political commitment to the program from Governor Tommy G. Thompson.