Senate Prepares for Final Regular Session Floor Day The state Assembly has adjourned and is unlikely to reconvene in regular session until January. The state Senate plans to convene in regular session on March 17, and its deliberations may continue until March 18, and then adjourn. So while some of us are enjoying corned beef […]
Wisconsin Names New Medicaid Director
Date Fri, Mar. 6, 2026 - 9:41am By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services has appointed Amanda Dreyer as the state’s Medicaid director. She began her new role on February 22. Dreyer previously served in senior Medicaid leadership roles within the department, including as deputy Medicaid director. She succeeds Bill Hanna, who recently stepped down. As Medicaid director, Dreyer will oversee Wisconsin’s Medicaid […]
Senate Floor Session 2-11-26
Date Fri, Feb. 13, 2026 - 9:48am By Hamilton
While the Assembly plans to use nearly all of its available February floor days, the Senate plans to convene for only two days this month. The first of those sessions occurred on February 11, when the upper chamber met to pass a series of administrative rules along party lines and took up several controversial transgender […]
Assembly Floor Session 1-22-26
Date Fri, Feb. 13, 2026 - 9:45am By Hamilton
On January 22, the Assembly continued its work to advance legislation as the number of remaining calendar days in the session grows limited. The most notable action of the day was passage of legislation to reauthorize the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, which advanced along partisan lines amid disagreements over funding levels and proposed limitations on land […]
Wisconsin Medicaid Director Bill Hanna to Step Down
Date Fri, Feb. 13, 2026 - 9:25am By Hamilton
Wisconsin’s top official overseeing the state’s Medicaid program, Bill Hanna, has announced he will be leaving his post as Medicaid Director for the Wisconsin Department of Health Services on February 20, 2026 after more than two years in the role. Hanna, who was appointed Medicaid Director in January 2024 after serving as the department’s deputy […]
Legislative Leaders Considering December Extraordinary Session
Date Fri, Dec. 5, 2025 - 8:46am By Hamilton
Republican legislative leaders are considering calling an extraordinary session to address the significant increase in state costs tied to recent federal changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known in Wisconsin as FoodShare. In Wisconsin, an extraordinary session can be called by the Legislature, by the committees on organization or through a joint resolution […]
DHS Submits $1 Billion Proposal to Strengthen Rural Health Care Access
Date Fri, Nov. 7, 2025 - 9:32am By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services has submitted an application for $1 billion in federal funding through the Rural Health Transformation Program to expand access to high-quality health services in rural parts of the state. The proposal focuses on three main areas: workforce development, technology and innovation, and care transformation through partnerships. Roughly $337 million […]
DHS Projects Medicaid Shortfall
Date Thu, Oct. 2, 2025 - 3:58pm By Hamilton
The Department of Health Services projects Wisconsin’s Medicaid program will exceed its 2025–27 budget by $144.1 million in GPR, about 1.5% over the nearly $9.7 billion allocated. DHS Secretary Kirsten Johnson told lawmakers that $100 million of the gap stems from the budget providing less than what the agency estimated was needed to maintain services. […]
PBM Legislation Advances Out of Senate Committee
Date Thu, Aug. 28, 2025 - 10:00am By Hamilton
SB 203/AB 173 was introduced this session by Sen. Mary Felzkowski (R–Irma) and Rep. Todd Novak (R–Dodgeville) to further regulate pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). The bill is largely the same as last session’s proposal, with a new provision requiring PBMs to pay pharmacy claims within 30 days. On August 18, Sen. Felzkowski offered an amendment […]
Gov. Evers Signs Bipartisan Bill Expanding Nurse Licensure
Date Thu, Aug. 14, 2025 - 3:04pm By Hamilton
Governor Tony Evers signed a bipartisan bill Friday, August 8, 2025, aimed at expanding healthcare access across Wisconsin by creating new licensure opportunities for nurses. AB257, now enacted as 2025 Wisconsin Act 17, allows registered nurses (RNs) to become licensed as advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), offering more independence in practice and increasing the […]