After forcing a shutdown by refusing to stop healthcare costs from skyrocketing, Republicans are now threatening critical nutrition program for pregnant women and infants could run out of money within days
MADISON, Wis. – With funding for the WIC nutrition program on the verge of running out, Wisconsin families and community leaders are demanding that Congressional Republicans immediately reopen the government and take action to prevent skyrocketing healthcare costs.
Experts warn that funding for WIC—the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children—could expire as soon as this week, leaving more than 90,000 Wisconsinites in jeopardy of losing access to critical nutrition support. The program serves over 104,000 Wisconsin residents annually, including 38% of all babies born in the state, providing them with healthy food and formula. While contingency funding may bridge a temporary funding lapse, families and children deserve long-term funding for this essential program.
Republicans in Congress, including Congressmen Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden, forced the government to shut down last week after refusing to prevent massive increases to healthcare costs which will force premiums to increase by more than double for millions of Americans.
"Congressional Republicans forced a government shutdown by refusing to address skyrocketing healthcare costs while protecting tax breaks for billionaires. Now, pregnant women, new mothers, and babies across Wisconsin could pay the price," said Meghan Roh, Program Director at Opportunity Wisconsin. "Congressmen Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden need to vote to reopen the government and keep healthcare costs low before more Wisconsin families get hurt.”
JoLee Boland, a Wisconsin mother of four, explained how WIC made it possible for her family to get by. "Even though it doesn't cover everything, WIC is the reason my family made it through. When you're trying to raise multiple kids on a tight budget, every bit of help matters. WIC didn't make us rich—it just made it possible for us to feed our children properly. If Congress lets WIC funding run out, families will face real hardship. They'll be making choices no parent should have to make—like whether to buy formula or pay a bill."
Dr. Abby La Nou, an emergency medicine physician in Eau Claire, warned of severe health consequences if WIC funding expires. “From a physician's perspective, access to proper nutrition in early childhood is absolutely critical for brain development and lifelong health. Support from programs like WIC is essential to support families, facing hardship, especially with rising prices. As a physician, I'm urging our representatives in Congress—including Congressmen Steil and Van Orden—to put the health and wellbeing of Wisconsin families first. That starts by funding WIC, extending the ACA tax credits and properly funding Medicaid.”