Gov. Walker aide promises minimal insurance changes

MADISON, Wis. — Gov. Scott Walker’s top aide won’t promise that every state employee will be able to keep their current doctor under a switch to a self-insurance model.

Department of Administration Secretary Scott Neitzel was asked about the self-insurance move Tuesday during a briefing before the Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee. Neitzel says he expects minimal disruption to current health insurance plans and only a small percentage would have to change doctors.

Both Republicans and Democrats on the committee are questioning the self-insurance switch and whether it would save the $60 million as Walker projects.

Under self-insurance, the state would manage health insurance for about 250,000 workers rather than having employees purchase it through HMOs.

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