On Wednesday, February 12, the Senate Committee on Health will hold a public hearing on two familiar pieces of legislation. Senate Bill 4, which aims to clarify the legality of direct primary care agreements by exempting them from insurance regulations, is a reintroduction of a first introduced bill in the 2017-2018 session. Last session, a […]
Senate Health Committee to Hold First Hearing of the Session on Direct Primary Care and Postpartum Medicaid Extension Bills
Date Fri, Feb. 7, 2025 - 10:40am By Hamilton
Wisconsin Democrats Propose “Lowering Costs, Improving Lives” Bill Package
Date Fri, Jan. 24, 2025 - 10:44am By Hamilton
On January 16, Wisconsin Democrats announced their “Lowering Costs, Improving Lives” legislative package, aimed at addressing affordability issues for families across the state. The package focuses on lowering prescription drug prices, expanding access to affordable insulin, providing free school meals, and offering property tax relief for low-income residents. The centerpiece of the package is a […]
Medicaid Projected End Fiscal Year with a Small Surplus
Date Thu, Jan. 9, 2025 - 2:22pm By Hamilton
Medicaid is projected to end the biennium with a $1.2 million surplus in state dollars, according to a recent report from the Department of Health Services (DHS), though earlier estimates had predicted a $29.4 million surplus. The revised projection reflects higher-than-expected rate increases for managed care programs—over 8% for long-term care organizations and 5.7% for […]
The Healthcare Dollar
Date Thu, Nov. 21, 2024 - 2:30pm By Hamilton
AHIP (formerly, America’s Health Insurance Plans) recently released their analysis on where America’s health care premium dollars go. The survey found that nearly two-thirds of every dollar Americans pay for health care premiums goes towards hospital and prescription drug costs. More specifically, 40 cents of every premium dollar paid goes to hospital costs – such […]
Governor Evers Announces New Cabinet Members
Date Fri, Sep. 13, 2024 - 2:24pm By Hamilton
Gov. Tony Evers has appointed Kristina Boardman as the first female Secretary of the Department of Transportation (DOT). She succeeds Craig Thompson, who stepped down on September 11 to become the Vice Chancellor of University Relations at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Boardman’s tenure with the DOT includes roles such as Administrator, Deputy Administrator, Director of […]
Artificial Intelligence, UW System, Emergency Detention, and More: 2024 Study Committees Begin to Meet
Date Mon, Jul. 22, 2024 - 1:09pm By Hamilton
In even-numbered years after the state legislature has adjourned its biennial regular session, the Wisconsin Legislative Council will propose topics that might warrant in-depth study and policy development. Each study committee is typically led by two or more legislators (selected by leadership) and includes members of the public and representatives from relevant stakeholders. For 2024, […]
Assembly Floor Session: February 22, 2024 (PFAS, EV Infrastructure, Health Policy)
Date Mon, Feb. 26, 2024 - 9:00am By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Assembly met February 22, 2024. See the floor calendar here. This floor session carried over to the following day due to the number of bills on the calendar. Also this month, both houses of the Wisconsin Legislature met February 13 and 20 (Senate, Assembly) and the Assembly also met on February 15. The […]
Senate Floor Session: February 20, 2024 (Health, Education, Transportation, Executive Appointments)
Date Mon, Feb. 26, 2024 - 7:55am By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Senate met February 20, 2024. See the floor calendar here. Also this month, both houses of the Wisconsin Legislature met February 13 and the Assembly met February 15, 20, and 22. The Senate confirmed eight appointments to various state boards and commissions, mostly related to oversight of higher education. Senate Republicans, with a […]
Assembly Floor Session: January 25, 2024
Date Wed, Jan. 31, 2024 - 11:49am By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Assembly met January 25, passed 31 bills, and adopted four resolutions. See the floor calendar here. Also this month, both houses met January 16 and the Assembly met January 18. January will be one of the last regular floor periods of the 2023-24 legislative session. The Assembly is expected to meet several times […]
Senate and Assembly Floor Sessions: January 16, 2024
Date Wed, Jan. 31, 2024 - 11:40am By Hamilton
Both houses of the Wisconsin Legislature met January 16 to vote on bills, resolutions, and executive appointments. Also this month, the Assembly met January 18 and 25. This was the first floor day of the new year, and January will be one of the last regular floor periods of the 2023-24 legislative session. The Assembly […]