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 […]
APRN Bill Passes Senate and Assembly
Date Fri, Jun. 20, 2025 - 9:14am By Hamilton
In a unanimous vote, Wisconsin lawmakers on Wednesday, June 18, passed legislation that allows Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) to practice independently across the state. The bill now awaits the signature of Governor Tony Evers, who is expected to sign it after previously vetoing similar measures. The legislation, AB257/SB258, establishes a formal APRN credential under […]
Hospital Price Transparency Legislation Unveiled
Date Fri, Jun. 6, 2025 - 9:30am By Hamilton
Sens. Bradley (R-New Berlin) and Felzkowski (R-Irma) and Rep. Wittke (R-Caledonia) are circulating legislation to require hospitals to publicly share with consumers actual pricing information. The legislation is being supported by Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce and Wisconsin business leaders. The bill would allow Wisconsin consumers who purchase healthcare services to know exactly how much it […]
Wisconsin Medicaid Faces Enrollment Shifts, Largest Cost-to-Continue and Potential Federal Funding Changes
Date Fri, May. 9, 2025 - 10:31am By Hamilton
Wisconsin’s Medicaid program is undergoing several developments, including a decline in enrollment, increased funding needs to maintain current services, and potential changes at the federal level that could impact future funding and operations. Enrollment Changes Following Policy Shift BadgerCare Plus enrollment fell below 900,000 in March 2025, marking the lowest total since August […]
APRN Modernization Act Released
Date Fri, May. 9, 2025 - 10:26am By Hamilton
On Tuesday, Senators Testin, Cabral Guevera, and Roys were joined by Assembly Representatives Kurtz and Subeck to release this session’s APRN modernization bill. As stated in the cosponsorship memo, “the APRN Modernization Act will bring Wisconsin in line with the National Consensus Model of Advanced Nurse Licensure. It will provide clarity to the scope of […]
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
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 […]
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 […]