Executive & Emergency Orders Executive Order #72 – Declaring a public health emergency.The order directs the state Department of Health Services to lead the response, including by suspending provisions of administrative rules that would hinder response actions or increase the health threat. The order directs all state agencies to assist as appropriate. Additionally, the order declares […]
HOPE Agenda Bills Advance in Legislature
January 27, 2020
Several bills from Rep. John Nygren (R-Marinette) and various co-authors to address substance use disorder are making their way through the Legislature, with six bills passing on the Assembly floor and several moving in the Senate health committee. In addition to the legislation, Rep. Nygren joined several health plans for a press conference on Jan. […]
DHS Projects $39.8 Million Medicaid Shortfall
January 27, 2020
In a report sent to the Joint Finance Committee at the end of December, the Department of Health Services (DHS) projected a $39.8 million Medicaid shortfall over the next two years. DHS noted this shortfall is less than one percent of the $6.7 billion Medicaid general purpose revenue (GPR) budget for 2019-21. The letter from DHS attributed […]
Federal Appeals Court Rules on ACA Individual Mandate
December 20, 2019
The federal Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on Dec. 18, 2019, that the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) individual mandate is unconstitutional. However, the court remanded the case back to the federal district court in Texas to decide how much of the rest of the ACA is unconstitutional. In December 2018, the district court ruled the entirety of the […]
Assembly Committee Hearing on Dental Therapy Legislation
December 20, 2019
The Assembly Committee on Medicaid Reform & Oversight held a public hearing on Dec. 18 on a bill that would newly allow dental therapists, an intermediate level of dentistry practice between hygienists and dentists, to practice in Wisconsin. The bipartisan bill has received wide support from a coalition of over 60 stakeholder groups but is […]
New Opioid Legislation Circulating
November 13, 2019
Rep. John Nygren (R-Marinette) and various co-authors have circulated a new package of bills to address substance use disorder. Nygren has led the legislative effort to combat Wisconsin’s opioid epidemic with his Heroin, Opioid Prevention and Education (HOPE) agenda starting in the 2013-14 session and continuing through 2018. Read more about Wisconsin’s work in fighting the […]
Wisconsin Democrats Release Legislative Priorities
October 8, 2019
Ahead of October floor sessions this week, Wisconsin Democrats released a list of legislative priorities called “Forward Together.” Legislators released the initiative at press conferences around the state on Oct. 7. The package is “focused on values that put families, workers, and communities first.” Under Affordable Health Care, Democrats hope to address rising out-of-pocket health […]
Survey Shows Dental Insurance Enrollees Are Highly Satisfied with Coverage
October 8, 2019
A survey recently released by America’s Health Insurance Plans shows dental insurance enrollees are highly satisfied with their providers and coverage. Overall, the survey found consumers were happy with their ability to find in-network, high quality, and affordable dental care. Highlights of the survey included: 83 percent of respondents said they are extremely/very satisfied or […]
Medicaid Budget Projected to End in the Red
October 8, 2019
On Sept. 30, the Department of Health Services (DHS) submitted an updated projection for the state’s Medicaid budget to the Joint Finance Committee. DHS estimates the Medicaid expenditures will exceed the budget by $21.4 GPR at the end of the 2019-2021 biennium. The main reason cited for the negative projection is a decrease in the […]
Bills of Note: Direct Primary Care
September 16, 2019
The Assembly Committee on Small Business Development held a public hearing on Sept. 4 on a bill that would establish parameters for the practice of direct primary care (DPC) in Wisconsin. The bill (SB 28/AB 26), authored by Sen. Chris Kapenga (R-Delafield) and Rep. Joe Sanfelippo (R-New Berlin), is largely the same as the version […]