Search Policy & Research

Advanced Search

From the Databases

On aarp.org

Email Newsletter

Get updates on Policy & Research by email.

Other Topics in Polling




Public Opinions

Health Care in Wisconsin: An AARP Survey of Residents Age 18 to 64

Research Report

Erica L. Dinger, J.D., AARP Knowledge Management

April 2007


Although Wisconsin enjoys one of the lowest rates of uninsured residents in the country (10 percent or 562,000 individuals in 2005), health care costs are rising. With an 8 percent increase in costs from 2003 to 2004, when it spent almost $39 million, Wisconsin's health care spending ranks 18th among all states.

This AARP telephone survey of age 18 to 64 Wisconsin residents explores their medical experiences and opinions about health care reform. In general, Wisconsinites feel that they're in good health, but that the health care system isn't.

Of those surveyed...

  • 80 percent have health care coverage, and 27 percent say they are in excellent health
  • 49 percent say the state's health care system has major problems, and 13 percent say it is in a state of crisis
  • 76 percent consider it important for the state to reduce the number of residents without health care coverage and 84 percent feel it should make health care more affordable for all
  • 82 percent agree that all Wisconsinites should have access to the same basic health care coverage, and 76 percent agree that everyone should contribute to the health care system
  • 56 percent say they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who supported health care coverage for all Wisconsin residents

The telephone survey of 804 age 18 to 64 Wisconsin residents was conducted for AARP by Woelfel Research, Inc. from March 19th to 25th, 2007. Further information about the survey may be obtained from Erica Dinger, the report's author, at 202-434-6176. (22 pages)