Wisconsin Democrat among those urging health insurance providers to bring down costs

Deadline for new plans, Friday

A message to those insurance companies offering plans in Wisconsin: Make it cheaper. 

That’s the plea from a handful of Wisconsin lawmakers, including La Crosse state rep., Jill Billings.

The Democrat is among those urging insurance providers offering plans on the healthcare exchanges to make the plans standardized or, at least, design plans with lower out-of-pocket fees, like deductibles, premiums and prescription drug costs.

The group of lawmakers complains especially about the growing cost of deductibles, which they claim have increased by nearly 50 percent just from last year.

Earlier this month, it was Wisconsin Sen. Chris Larson urging insurance providers to do the same, after a Citizen Action of Wisconsin figures showed Wisconsin residents are paying $3,347 a year just on doctor visit deductibles and another $1,203 for deductibles on prescription drugs.

The deadline is Friday to submit exchange plans to the state.

Here’s the letter: