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Wausau council backs resolution opposing proposed Medicaid cuts after public testimony
Summary
After public testimony from local mental-health advocates, the Wausau Common Council approved a resolution opposing proposed state or federal Medicaid cuts and returned a prior mayoral veto to the council; vote outcomes and speakers are listed below.
The Wausau Common Council on March 11 approved a resolution expressing opposition to proposed state or federal Medicaid funding cuts, after extended public comment from local residents and mental-health advocates.
Local advocates told the council Medicaid — including BadgerCare — is essential to accessing crisis care, inpatient treatment and ongoing services. Tracy Schlegel, executive director of NAMI Northwoods, said she relied on BadgerCare to get an inpatient placement and electroconvulsive treatment during a severe episode and that losing Medicaid “would be life‑threatening” for some residents. Other residents and several alderpersons said cuts would increase pressure on emergency rooms and local services.
The council considered a previously vetoed resolution returning it for reconsideration. Alder Rasmussen moved to return/endorse the resolution; Alder Watson seconded. After discussion, the council voted to approve the resolution (final tally reported in the Votes at a glance article). During debate, several alderpersons emphasized the local impacts they said would result from state or federal reductions in Medicaid funding — including on nursing‑home placements, emergency medical workloads and access to preventive care such as childhood vaccines.
The council’s action followed public comment from Tracy Schlegel of NAMI Northwoods, who described personal treatment experiences and urged that the council oppose cuts, and Paula Meadows, a Wausau resident who urged officials to reflect constituent views. Councilors who spoke on the item cited both the region’s reliance on Medicaid funding and examples of how loss of coverage would affect schools, public safety and local budgets.
The resolution does not create local entitlement programs; it records the council’s position and forwards that position to state and federal policymakers and interested parties.
Votes at the meeting show the council moved and passed the measure after returning the mayoral veto for reconsideration. The council also discussed related municipal constraints and the limits of what a city can do directly to replace state or federal funding.
Looking ahead, council members said they would continue to monitor state and federal policy and work with regional partners and the League of Wisconsin Municipalities on advocacy for local impacts.
