Wis. advocates gear up for health exchange launch

MILWAUKEE (AP) — More than 90,000 low-income residents across Wisconsin could lose Medicaid coverage after Dec. 31, and community organizers are gearing up to help them navigate the transition.

The residents will be expected to seek health insurance through a new online exchange as part of the federal health care overhaul. The state will send letters later this month to those who’ll be losing coverage.

But advocates worry the letters will confuse people. They say low-income residents have limited Internet access, and might have literacy or English issues.

So groups such as Covering Kids and Families will hold training sessions, at job centers, schools and libraries across the state.

The Milwaukee Health Care Partnership asks church groups to help spread the word, reasoning that people will respond best to those they already trust.