Ron Kind

 

As I travel throughout western and central Wisconsin I hear a lot of stories about our communities, families, and what real people care about. Here in Wisconsin, folks understand that by working together to get things done we make our state a better place to live. It’s the Wisconsin way. This is a growing collection of stories from hard working individuals and families of western and central Wisconsin, .

I’d love to hear your stories, please email Kindforcongress@gmail.com and my campaign will get in touch with you to be included in our collection of real Wisconsin stories. 

 

Barbara W. – Eau Claire, WI

When Barbara W. was fifty-one she went back to school to receive her college degree from UW-Eau Claire. Like a lot of us growing up in Wisconsin, Barbara was taught that if you work hard and play by the rules you can earn a good living. That’s the Wisconsin way, and for some time, it was simply the way things were.

After graduation, Barbara found a good job at Community Health Partners running the print room. She enjoyed the work and the job security. But then things changed. The Budget Repair Bill capped funding for family care programs and she was laid off.

The system is broken and the middle class are hurting. Honest, hardworking Wisconsinites like Barbara deserve the fair pay and benefits they’ve earned.

It’s time to roll up our sleeves and help our neighbors; it’s time to in our hardworking Wisconsinites; it’s time to jumpstart the economy and put it to work for the middle-class -- that’s the Wisconsin way. 

 

Beth and Henry – Plain, WI

Beth was 8 months pregnant when her husband was laid off in January of 2009. Because Beth was pregnant, they had to have health insurance and their only option was COBRA which cost them $1600 per month.

Before he was even born, Henry suffered a stroke.  While Henry was in the hospital, Beth’s family saw an outpouring of support from their community.

After Beth’s husband found a new job, they came to discover their son was uninsurable because he had a pre-existing condition. They had to stay on COBRA in order to cover the costs of his medical needs. 

When the Affordable Care Act was passed Beth said it gave her family, “So much peace” because insurance companies could no longer deny coverage to her one-year-old son.

Beth’s experience with Henry and the trying times that followed served as a catalyst for her to look beyond her own circumstances.  She realized that everybody is going to need some help, at some point.

To Beth, healthcare reform is more than the numbers because there is a way for government to be fiscally AND socially responsible.  It’s about being a neighbor and lending a hand when people are in need. 

Delivering a casserole to a neighbor is the Wisconsin way of helping those in need. The Affordable Care Act offers communities another tool to help their neighbors.