Council refers citizen petition to create a Health Care Action Committee to November ballot

A direct‑petition ordinance to establish a Citizens Advisory Health Care Action Committee was presented by William Garcia and Ben Stepanek. Petitioners said the committee would ‘diagnose’ local health‑care access and cost issues, collect data, and propose concrete, locally generated recommendations for city and state advocacy.

William Garcia, a District 7 resident and petition organizer, said the committee would “collect data on what health care actually looks like in the city of La Crosse, how much it costs, who has access to health care, and who doesn't.” Council members asked whether the city has jurisdiction over health‑care policy; petitioners acknowledged most health policy is state or federal but said local studies and targeted advocacy can identify barriers and local actions (transportation, access to facilities) while elevating state/federal asks.

After extended questions about appointment terms, scope and the mechanics of a referendum, Councilmember Bedford moved to refer the petition to a November referendum; the motion passed in committee. If adopted by voters the ordinance would create a seven‑member committee appointed by the mayor with staggered four‑year terms and would require that recommendations be reported to the council and to relevant state officials as appropriate.