Wisconsin members of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) at Emplify Health by Gundersen held a protest on Friday, taking place at the intersection of South Avenue and 7th Street.
LA CROSSE, Wis. (WXOW) – Wisconsin members of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) at Emplify Health by Gundersen held a protest on Friday, taking place at the intersection of South Avenue and 7th Street.
Community members joined the protest to focus on Representative Derrick Van Orden’s record on healthcare policy.
Protesters expressed concerns about potential federal funding cuts they claim were supported by Van Orden and how these cuts could affect patients and healthcare systems across the state.
“Everybody deserves healthcare, every person deserves access to affordable healthcare,” said Dani Balk, Worksite Leader with SEIU of Wisconsin. “Our residents drown in debt, they delay healthcare simply because they don’t have the money to pay for the preventative healthcare that they need leading to detrimental effects in their health, their well-being and their daily lives.”
The hour-long protest received mixed reactions from drivers, with some honking in support and others showing disagreement.
When contacted for comment, Rep. Derrick Van Orden responded with a statement.
“The claims being made today are simply false. The OBBB strengthens healthcare across Wisconsin, protecting rural hospitals, expanding support for BadgerCare, and safeguarding Medicaid for the truly vulnerable,” he said.
“Thanks to this bill, Wisconsin will receive more than $500 million for rural healthcare infrastructure and an additional $1 billion every year for BadgerCare through the updated 6% provider tax rate,” Van Orden continued. “I’ll always fight to make sure every Wisconsinite, especially in our rural communities, has access to quality, affordable healthcare.”
The protest wrapped up peacefully around 1:00 p.m.