Budget Committee Starts Debating Health Care

MADISON, Wis. -- State budget negotiators focused on the differences in the Democratic and Republican health care plans on Thursday.

A proposal from state Senate Democrats makes sweeping changes in the state's health care system with the goal of reducing costs they say will rise 80 percent over the next decade.

The measure would also eliminate the need for individuals and businesses to pay private health insurance premiums.

But to help offset costs, the proposal would impose a 14.5 percent payroll tax on employers and employees statewide. That tax increase would be the largest in state history.

Assembly Republicans said that the current system isn't broken, just needs to be fine tuned.

Republicans want Wisconsinites to make more decisions about their own health care and shop for the lowest prices.

The committee must reconcile the two budget bills to send to Gov. Jim Doyle for approval.