01-05-2025
70% of Wisconsin voters are at least 'Somewhat Concerned' over hospital closures
LA CROSSE, Wis. (WLAX/WEUX) – Hospitals are closing all over the state of Wisconsin. In our area alone, the closure of the HSHS/Prevea Hospitals in Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls has left a lot of uncertainty. The Healthy Wisconsin Alliance (part of the Wisconsin Hospital Association) wanted to know how deep the concern in the state went. They commissioned a series of questions to be released as part of the Platform Communications' Badger Battlegorund Poll. 500 likely voters were asked questions to gauge concern over the closures, their opinions of hospitals, insurance companies, and if they or someone they love had experienced barriers to receiving care caused by insurance companies.
Overwhelmingly, Wisconsites are concerned about the closing of hospitals. 70% of respondents were 'At least somewhat concerned' about additional hospital closures. Additionally, 50% of those concerned said they are most worried about difficulty accessing care. Specifically, in our area of the state, 85% of Eau Claire-area residents were concerned about future hospital closures.
67% of Wisconsinites believe that hospitals would act in their best interest, while only 6% believe insurance companies would do the same. Those numbers represented majorities across all voter demographics. 83% of the Democrats, 55% of the Republicans and 60% of the Independents believe that hospitals have their best interest in mind.
Finally, nearly 1 in 3, or 33%, have personal experience with difficulty receiving care due to insurance companies denying coverage. Those numbers are mostly unchanged from the last time this question was polled in August of 2024.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
