Legislation introduced challenging healthcare rates

Walker’s insurance commish not doing the job

New legislation was introduced Thursday that would require the Walker administration insurance commissioner to ensure that health insurance rates are not excessive and unjustified

Citizen Action of Wisconsin, along with state senator Chris Larson and state representative Debra Kolste announced the legislation.

The pair said Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker’s insurance commissioner has spoken publicly about their inaction in challenging excessive health insurance rates, having allowed rate increases as large as 18-30 percent to companies in one year.

The Walker administration has never challenged a rate increase and, now, seven companies are requesting increases of over 10 percent for 2016 that will not be scrutinized without legislative action.

Both Larson and Kolste say more transparency is needed.