Wisconsin COVID-19 Response Post-Safer at Home
Date Thu, May. 28, 2020 - 4:32pm By Hamilton
A few weeks after the Wisconsin Supreme Court invalidated the state’s “Safer at Home” emergency order, state and local leaders continue to grapple with the ongoing pandemic and economic recovery. The Department of Health Services (DHS) has declined to promulgate Safer at Home as a statewide rule and instead some local health departments have orders […]
Wisconsin Supreme Court Declares Safer at Home Order Unenforceable
Date Wed, May. 13, 2020 - 6:28pm By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has issued a 4-3 decision in Legislature v. Palm, declaring the Department of Health Services’s (DHS) “Safer at Home” order unenforceable and immediately striking down the order. The court held that the Safer at Home order is a “rule” that was required to go through statutory rulemaking processes and that the […]
U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform Poll: Bipartisan Majority of Americans Support COVID-19 Liability Protections
Date Mon, May. 11, 2020 - 12:41pm By Hamilton
A bipartisan majority of Americans support protecting businesses from lawsuits related to coronavirus, according to a U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform (ILR) poll released earlier this month. “The global pandemic has caused tremendous economic harm to our nation. As employers plan to reopen safely and sustainably, the last thing they need is to face […]
Gov. Evers Directs DHS to Extend Safer At Home Order
Date Thu, Apr. 16, 2020 - 1:50pm By Hamilton
Gov. Tony Evers has directed Department of Health Services Secretary-designee Andrea Palm to extend Wisconsin’s Safer at Home Order to May 26. Under Emergency Order #28, starting April 24, some non-essential businesses may begin running minimum basic operations, including deliveries, mailings, and curb-side pick-up. Other changes under the new Emergency Order include: Golf courses reopening […]
Gov. Evers Signs COVID-19 Legislation
Date Thu, Apr. 16, 2020 - 1:49pm By Hamilton
Yesterday, the Wisconsin state Senate unanimously passed and Gov. Tony Evers signed AB 1038, the comprehensive legislative package to address COVID-19. With the governor’s signature, the bill is now enacted as 2019 Act 185. Gov. Evers statement on the COVID-19 bill. Hamilton Consulting summary of the COVID-19 bill.
Insurers Respond to COVID-19
Date Mon, Apr. 13, 2020 - 10:32am By Hamilton
Wisconsin health insurers are committed to helping prevent the spread of COVID-19. Various companies providing health insurance to Wisconsinites have already taken actions like waiving coronavirus testing costs and related treatment. Anthem, Molina Healthcare, and United HealthCare, the nation’s largest insurer, have waived all patient out-of-pocket costs related to COVID-19, in addition to their initial […]
Gov. Evers Issues Safer At Home Order
Date Tue, Mar. 24, 2020 - 12:04pm By Hamilton
This morning, Gov. Tony Evers issued Emergency Order #12, the “Safer at Home” order, directing all individuals in Wisconsin to stay at home, limiting non-essential travel, and ceasing all non-essential business operations. The order is effective 8:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 24 through Friday, April 24. The order directs all individuals in Wisconsin to stay at […]
Gov. Evers Emergency Orders on COVID-19
Date Fri, Mar. 20, 2020 - 12:06pm By Hamilton
After declaring a public health emergency on March 12 in Executive Order #72, Gov. Evers and state agencies have issued additional emergency orders: Emergency Order #5 – Prohibiting mass gatherings of 10 people or more. (Supersedes previous emergency order banning gatherings of 50 people or more) Exemptions include: airports, government, health care facilities, office spaces, retail […]
Assembly Passes CARES Act to Eliminate Workforce Barriers for PAs, Expand Access to Care
Date Thu, Feb. 20, 2020 - 4:13pm By Hamilton
This week, the Wisconsin Assembly voted to pass the Collaboration and Rural Expansion of Services (CARES) Act (AB 575), which would update Wisconsin statutes related to physician assistants (PAs). The bill seeks to reduce workforce barriers for PAs, thus maintaining and increasing access to high quality medical care, particularly in underserved rural areas of the […]
Signed by Governor: Protecting Health Care Professionals, Banning PFAS-Containing Firefighting Foam
Date Thu, Feb. 20, 2020 - 4:07pm By Hamilton
After several floor sessions this month and in January, there are many bills awaiting the governor’s review. Gov. Tony Evers recently signed into law several notable bills: SB 310 (2019 Act 101) prohibits the use of firefighting foams that contain intentionally added PFAS in training, unless the testing facility has appropriate containment and treatment measures. […]