Some receiving letters saying they're getting kicked from BadgerCare

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Notice letters are going out, reminding more than 77,000 Wisconsinites they're about to lose their BadgerCare health insurance.

Those have an income over the federal poverty line must switch from BadgerCare to the federal health insurance exchange -- but making that switch has been a huge challenge for many.

Those who will be moved off of BadgerCare have until December 15th to get enrolled in the federal health insurance exchange.

Letters sent out on Tuesday, November 12th are meant to serve as a reminder to folks to do what they can to get signed up.

Meanwhile, officials are asking Gov. Walker to extend BadgerCare coverage through the end of March.

At their office near 18th and Fond du Lac, "Wisconsin Jobs Now" hosted a health fair on Tuesday afternoon.

"So far, hundreds of people have come through the doors seeking their eligibility for the Affordable Care Act or for BadgerCare and we wanna make sure we're here to be a resource," Wisconsin Jobs Now Director Jennifer Epps-Addison said.

Gov. Walker says the state can only afford to insure through BadgerCare those with incomes below the federal poverty level. Anyone making more will be directed to the federal health insurance exchange.

Of course, enrolling has been impossible for many due to problems with Healthcare.gov since its launch on October 1st.

"The Fox Valley executives in Winnebago and Outagamie County, we signed the letter together. They share the same concerns I do that we need to make sure these people are covered if the system doesn't provide for it," Fond du Lac Executive Allen Buechel said.

A spokesman for Gov. Walker says: "Gov. Walker has said from the start if the Affordable Care Act was not ready by January 1st, he would consider options to withhold changes for Medicaid recipients. Gov. Walker will continue to review the timetable for transitioning Medicaid recipients."

For now, state health officials are asking those losing coverage to look through paper applications while local agencies try to get them signed up.

"This is not a Republican or Democrat issue. It's not an issue about Scott Walker. It's about the health and welfare of our state and the citizens of our community," Epps-Addison said.

The mailings being sent out to people include a paper application for the health insurance marketplace.

CLICK HERE to PRINT a paper application for federal health care.