Chippewa Valley Free Clinic Hosts Visit from Governor Tony Evers

EAU CLAIRE, Wis (WCFW) – The Chippewa Valley Free Clinic in Eau Claire hosted Governor Tony Evers and Wisconsin DHS Secretary Kirsten Johnson for a visit on Tuesday.

Governor Evers and Secretary Johnson took a tour of the facility, highlighting increased grant funding for free and charitable clinics in the new biennial state budget. Chippewa Valley Free Clinic officials say grants are one of their main funding sources in addition to private donations and fundraising efforts.

The organization received $75,000 in state grant funding over the last fiscal year. Increased grant funding in the new state budget also comes as cuts in the new federal budget create uncertainty around the clinic’s future financial stability.

“The hardest thing for us right now, as it is for a lot of people, is just the uncertainty of what’s going to be there,” said Medical Director Dr. Lori Whitis. “We obviously have to budget ahead of time and try to figure out what funds are going to be available and what isn’t. And if it’s not, how do we fill that gap?”

Healthcare funding has become one of the biggest issues facing the Chippewa Valley over the last year. As local officials advance plans for new hospitals to replace the HSHS hospitals that closed over a year ago, cuts to Medicaid and Medicare could burden those new hospitals with the same financial struggles.

“Obviously I’m a little concerned about what’s happening in Washington D.C. as things look like they’re going to become more and more complex and difficult, and less money coming from the federal government,” said Governor Evers. “People here are working under a lot of stress, and they love what they’re doing and taking care of people.”

Speaking on further state funding options for healthcare, Governor Evers added “We just did a budget, so we’re not going to do a budget again. But if things just completely fall apart in Washington D.C., we’ll have to do something.”

Governor Evers also spoke about the ongoing congressional redistricting controversy in Texas, California, and New York following the visit. Asked if he supports Democratic states redrawing their congressional districts to counteract gerrymandering efforts in Texas, Governor Evers said “Yes I think it’s important for those states, those Democratic states that have that opportunity, they should do it. You just can’t stand back and watch this happen, watch democracy disappear. So do I support that? Yes. Do I think that’s a long term answer? No.”