EAU CLAIRE — State Assembly candidates couldn’t agree on much across party lines Thursday night, but they all agreed that health care is an issue plaguing the state which needs to be solved.

The legislative hopefuls met in a forum at DeLong Middle School in Eau Claire to touch on a number of issues, including that of how to achieve accessible and affordable health insurance for everyone in the state.

“Access to health care is the No. 1 issue as I go to people’s doors,” said Tim Swiggum, the Democratic challenger in the 69th District.

Swiggum said rising health costs are hitting local governments, schools and residents. His solution is to consider the Healthy Wisconsin Initiative, which would cover all residents and employees in the state who are not already covered by Medicare, Medicaid, BadgerCare or a federal employee plan.

“It needs to be looked at. I’m not saying it’s perfect, but it’s the best plan we’ve had so far,” he said.

His Republican opponent, incumbent Scott Suder, dismissed Healthy Wisconsin, saying it provides health insurance to illegal aliens as well as legal residents.

He proposed looking more into BadgerCare, SeniorCare and similar programs already passed by the legislator.

“We’ve got to look at what we’ve done,” he said.

Incumbent 67th District Rep. Jeff Wood (I-Bloomer), also opposes Healthy Wisconsin. He wants the state to offer a program similar to the one that he and his fellow legislators are offered.

“What the state health care program is is a private plan,” he said.

Wood told the audience that the state receives bids from insurance companies, comparing the same plans, and then legislators can choose which plan best fits their needs.

Don Moga, Wood’s Republican opponent, advocates looking at several options before making a decision.

“It’s going to take a complete sit-down at the table with everyone, not just Democrats and Republicans,” he said, alluding to bringing outside parties and the private sector into the discussions.

“We have to look at a whole spectrum of things,” he said.

Republican Terry Moulton, incumbent for the 68th District, said he has used his background in health care to help the state mull through these issues.

“I think the state Legislature should do everything it can to pass health care reform,” he said.

His plan would include getting most residents in Wisconsin better health insurance than the legislators receive.

“It’s my goal to ensure residents of Wisconsin have affordable health care,” he said.

His Democratic challenger, Kristen Dexter, said she would like to see the entire legislature work together across party lines to create a universal plan.

“I am not advocating government takeover of health care at all,” she said. “We all need heath care, that’s what universal means to me.”

The candidates also discussed the state’s budget deficit, the energy crisis and education funding.

On the topic of education funding, discussions got particularly heated between Dexter and Moulton.

Dexter, who has served on the Altoona school board for six years, accused Republican legislators of short-changing schools.

“Costs have gone up completely uncontrolled,” she said. “(Republicans) have refused to acknowledge this problem.”

Moulton argued that Altoona School District’s spending has increased 36 percent during Dexter’s tenure on the board, while inflation has only increased 15 percent.

He said in the last budget, the Republican legislature gave more money to schools than ever in the past.

In closing statements, most candidates agreed being bipartisan and reaching across the aisle is key to solving many of the state’s key issues.