Feingold Discusses Legislation to Reduce Health Care Costs at Local Listening Sessions   August 9, 2002 Ashland, WI - U.S. Senator Russ Feingold today discussed legislation that he has introduced to help reduce health care costs: the Promoting Health Care Purchasing Cooperatives Act. This bill will give grants to groups of businesses to form group-purchasing cooperatives to obtain enhanced benefits, reduce health care rates, and improved quality. "As I travel to each of Wisconsin's 72 counties each year, I hear time and time again how health care costs are out of control," Feingold said. "My legislation seeks to build on successful local initiatives, lowering the cost and improving the quality of employees’ health care. It will create two separate grant programs to help businesses pool their resources and bargaining power, to enhance benefits and reduce health care costs." A recent study found that health care costs for businesses in parts of Wisconsin were 55 percent higher than the Midwest average. The national average health care premium for a family currently costs about $588 per month, whereas in Wisconsin, it costs $812 per month. Nationwide, companies may face double-digit premium increases next year. At this rate, the nation’s premium costs would double every four to five years. "These increases can be devastating to Wisconsinites who are struggling to cover the costs of health care," Feingold said. "It is far past the time for this Congress to engage on so many of the health care issues facing all of us today." Feingold’s 50th Listening Session of 2002, and his 698th since he was first elected, took place at the Northland College Student Center in Ashland, starting at 7:15 a.m. He held his 51st Listening Session of 2002, and his 699th since he was first elected, at the Iron River Town Hall starting at 9:30 a.m. This is the tenth year that Feingold has held Listening Sessions in every Wisconsin county.

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