For Immediate Release
Thursday, October 11, 2018
Contact: Brad Bainum, bradb@wisdems.org
MADISON — Today, the Democratic Party of Wisconsin is issuing a new research report, “Leah Vukmir Has Sold Out Wisconsin Seniors and Future Retirees,” outlining Republican U.S. Senate candidate Leah Vukmir’s record of selling out older Wisconsinites and future retirees.
During her time in Wisconsin’s state legislature, Vukmir has sold out our state’s seniors and future retirees, repeatedly voting against and blocking legislation that would benefit that older Wisconsinites.
Among other things, Vukmir blocked multiple bills funding Alzheimer’s and dementia care, research, and treatment, and she’s also backed phasing out SeniorCare, which helps Wisconsin seniors get prescription drugs at a discounted rate.
As Vukmir has run for U.S. Senate, she’s defended that legislative record while also embracing broad, deep cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid (which covers 5 in 9 Wisconsin nursing home residents), to offset tax cuts for big corporations and the wealthiest Americans.
Vukmir has also centered her campaign on repealing the Affordable Care Act, while backing replacement plans that would gut protections for Wisconsinites with pre-existing conditions and impose an “age tax” that would let insurance companies charge older Americans more.
Here’s an overview of Vukmir’s record of selling out Wisconsin seniors and future retirees:
Blocking and Opposing Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care, Research, and Treatment Funding: During the 2015-2016 biennial, Vukmir, as chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, blocked multiple bills to improve and increase funding for Alzheimer’s and dementia care, treatment, and research. Vukmir allowed multiple bills to die in her committee by refusing to hold a vote, including, 2015 Assembly Bill 783, 2015 Assembly Bill 785, 2015 Assembly Bill 788, 2015 Assembly Bill 791, and 2015 Assembly Bill 784, which would have provided $50,000 to the UW-Madison Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center.
Supporting Eliminating SeniorCare: In 2005, Vukmir supported eliminating SeniorCare, Wisconsin’s prescription drug assistance program that is “designed to help seniors with their prescription drug costs.” In 2007, Vukmir again supported phasing out the program.
Supporting Deep Cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and BadgerCare: Last year, Vukmir said that Paul Ryan-style cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid were “certainly on the table.” Vukmir suggested the cuts were necessary following the passage of the Republican tax law that sends more than 80 percent of benefits to the richest Americans and large corporations like Exxon and Big Pharma giant Pfizer.
Supporting an “Age Tax” Health Care Repeal Plan: Vukmir has centered her U.S. Senate campaign around her pledge to repeal the Affordable Care Act and gut its protections for Wisconsinites who have pre-existing conditions. Vukmir has stated her support for Republican repeal plans like Graham-Cassidy and the AHCA, which the AARP says would impose an “age tax,” allowing insurance companies to charge older Americans more for coverage. Vukmir also supports the proliferation of short-term “junk” insurance plans that the AARP similarly says allow insurance companies to charge older Americans more.
Read the full report, “Leah Vukmir Has Sold Out Wisconsin Seniors and Future Retirees,” here.
