Doyle: Wisconsin should lead nation in health care reform

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By SCOTT BAUER / Associated Press Writer
Thursday, January 4, 2007 6:42 AM CST

MADISON — Calling on Wisconsin to lead the nation in health care reform, Gov. Jim Doyle said in his inaugural address Wednesday that all the state’s children should have access to health insurance.

He also called on lawmakers to pass an ethics reform bill, reaffirmed his support for embryonic stem cell research, and offered no details about how he will deal with a $1.6 billion budget shortfall.

Instead, in his 25-minute speech to about 2,000 people in the Capitol rotunda, Doyle recapped some of the major themes of his successful re-election campaign, with a heavy emphasis on health care reform.

The first Democrat re-elected governor in 32 years, Doyle called the rising price of health care “one of the great challenges of our time.’’

“Too many of our citizens simply cannot afford care. Too many of our families live in fear that one illness could cause them to lose everything they worked so hard for,’’ Doyle said. “This is not only an economic crisis, it’s a human crisis and it demands action now.’’

Calling on Republicans and Democrats to come together to address health care reform, Doyle reiterated campaign promises to make health care premiums tax deductible, reduce the cost of health care for families and businesses, and expand the state’s health insurance program to cover all children and more adults.

Doyle aides say providing all children with health insurance will not increase costs to the state. It will be part of a plan to merge three health care programs into one that the Department of Health and Family Services expects to save $16 million over two years. In addition, parents will be required to pay premiums based on their income.

Still, some Republicans have said they’re skeptical that the expansion, estimated to include 113,000 people, won’t cost the state more in the long run.

The need for affordable health care was a major theme in a bitter governor’s race in which Doyle defeated Republican U.S. Rep. Mark Green.

Like he did when discussing health care reform, Doyle called on Democrats and Republicans to pass an ethics reform initiative announced in December.

“Together, let’s pass this bill and reaffirm the faith of the people of Wisconsin,’’ Doyle said. “And this should be our model — working together, Democrats and Republicans, to meet Wisconsin’s challenges.’’

Doyle took the oath of office Wednesday from state Supreme Court Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson, a longtime family friend. He spoke after Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton, state Treasurer Dawn Marie Sass, Secretary of State Doug La Follette, and Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen were inaugurated. Van Hollen also gave brief remarks.

The ceremony in the rotunda was followed by a reception in the governor’s conference room. Members of the state Assembly and Senate were inaugurated in the afternoon, with the governor’s inaugural ball set for Wednesday night.

Private donors paid for Doyle’s inauguration ball, with money left over going to the Boys & Girls Club of Wisconsin. That was the same arrangement Doyle made four years ago.

Doyle, who served 12 years as attorney general before winning election in 2002, said Wisconsin’s future rests with its youngest generation and that everyone shares responsibility for helping children achieve their dreams. This can be done by providing a quality education, job opportunities and strong communities, he said.

Doyle, 61, also spoke about his childhood hero, baseball Hall of Famer Hank Aaron. Aaron found the support in Wisconsin he needed to succeed, Doyle said, echoing a speech he gave when Aaron joined him on the campaign trail.

Former Govs. Tony Earl and Martin Schreiber attended the inauguration. Doyle’s sister, Catey Doyle, was master of ceremonies, and his sons, Gus and Gabe, introduced the governor. Doyle’s wife, Jessica Doyle, stood by his side during the swearing-in.

Doyle begins his second term with a dramatically different political landscape in Madison. Democrats captured control of the state Senate, winning an 18-15 majority after four years of Republican domination, and the Republican majority in the Assembly slipped to 52-47.

Doyle has said he wants to work more closely with Republicans as he pursues his agenda. He has vowed to handle the budget shortfall without raising general sales or income taxes, but been open to raising cigarette taxes as much as $1 a pack, with the money directed toward health care.

In his speech, Doyle called tobacco a scourge on young people.

Senate Majority Leader Judy Robson, D-Beloit, said Doyle’s comments showed he was gearing up to back a cigarette tax increase as much as $1 a pack.

“He’s signaling that he’s supporting it because the evidence and research shows when you increase the cigarette tax, you stop kids from starting to smoke. And he made a big strong statement on that today.’’

More details on Doyle’s agenda will be unveiled at his State of the State address on Jan. 30, which will be followed by another speech tied to the release of his two-year budget plan on Feb. 13.