Insurance official discusses Affordable Care Act changes [The Leader-Telegram, Eau Claire, Wis.]

April 28--Now is the time to start talking with your health insurance provider about changes coming under the Affordable Care Act, said Dan Schwartzer, Wisconsin's deputy commissioner of insurance.

Speaking to a trade group Friday in Altoona, Schwartzer also defended Gov. Scott Walker's decision to reject $4.4 billion in federal money for the expansion of Medicaid and tighten the program's income eligibility moving more people near the poverty line into private insurance.

"We believe choice and competition are the best consumer protections," Schwartzer told the Big Rivers Chapter of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors at the Eau Claire Golf and Country Club

Democratic lawmakers have harshly criticized Walker for not taking the federal money to expand the program.

Rep. Dana Wachs, D-Eau Claire, told the Leader-Telegram in March that Walker's decision was "unconscionable." He said the governor put politics ahead of helping Wisconsin residents.

Area Republican lawmakers backed Walker's decision -- including Rep. Kathy Bernier, R-Lake Hallie, and Sen. Terry Moulton, R-Town of Seymour -- saying they liked the move because it makes Wisconsin less dependent on the federal government, among other reasons.

Schwartzer also addressed a recent study by Jackson Hewitt Tax Service that found Wisconsin employers could face federal penalties of between $24 million and $36 million as a result of Walker's decision.

The study doesn't account for employers changing their plans to avoid penalties, he said, in which case he said the penalties would be less.

During his talk, he also said he expects health insurance premiums to increase under the Affordable Care Act.

Swedien can be reached at 715-833-9214, 800-236-7077 or jon.swedien@ecpc.com.

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