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 […]
Bills of Note: Dental Therapists
August 22, 2019
The Senate Committee on Health & Human Services this week held a public hearing on a bill that would create a new license in Wisconsin for dental therapists, an intermediate level of dentistry practice between hygienists and dentists. The bipartisan bill has received wide support from a coalition of 62 stakeholder groups but is opposed by […]
Gov. Evers Issues Executive Order on Prescription Drug Prices
August 22, 2019
This week, Gov. Tony Evers issued an executive order creating a Task Force on Reducing Prescription Drug Prices. The task force is charged with addressing the rising cost of prescription drugs in Wisconsin, which the executive order says cost Wisconsin residents $1.3 billion in 2019 and costs the state’s Medicaid program $400 million annually. The […]
Gov. Evers Announces Caregiving Task Force Members
August 22, 2019
This week, Gov. Tony Evers announced the members appointed to his Task Force on Caregiving. The governor created the task force by executive order in February. The task force is charged with examining strategies to develop the direct care workforce, reduce health care costs for care givers, and increase access and quality of care. The […]
Medicaid Expansion Bill Circulating
August 8, 2019
This week, Sen. Jon Erpenbach (D-Middleton) and Rep. Daniel Riemer (D-Milwaukee) circulated legislation (LRB 2962) to expand the eligibility level for the state Medicaid program to up to 133 percent of the federal poverty line. Under the Affordable Care Act, states which expand Medicaid receive enhanced federal funding. The bill requires the Department of Health […]
Gov. Evers Signs 2019-21 Budget Bill
July 3, 2019
On July 3, 2019, Gov. Tony Evers signed into law the 2019-21 state budget as 2019 Act 9. The governor used his partial-veto authority to change 78 provisions adopted by the Legislature. The final budget includes bipartisan priorities such as a middle class tax cut, water quality initiatives, expansions to dental care access, other health care initiatives, and increased education […]
Gov. Evers Announces Health Care Coverage Partnership
June 13, 2019
Gov. Tony Evers, the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and the Department of Health Services announced last week a Health Care Coverage Partnership aimed at boosting health care insurance enrollment, through both the individual market and Medicaid. The Partnership will: Educate consumers by promoting HealthCare.gov and using insurance agents and navigators. Engage with stakeholders, […]
Joint Finance Committee Passes Medicaid Budget
June 13, 2019
The Wisconsin Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee (JFC) passed an omnibus motion on the Department of Health Services (DHS) budget, specifically addressing Medicaid, public health, FoodShare, behavioral health, and quality assurance. Overall, the motion spends: $187 million (in all funds) less than the governor’s proposal in 2019-20. $1.6 billion (in all funds) more in 2019-20 compared to the […]