Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce recently hosted Gov. Walker for a discussion of key issues facing the state and the governor’s new book. Walker explained what efforts the state is making to improve the state’s business climate and also talked about his decision not to accept additional federal money under the Affordable Care Act.
Wisconsin Seeks Permission for Off-Exchange Purchases of Health Plans
Date Fri, Dec. 6, 2013 - 9:18am By Hamilton
In addition to delaying changes to BadgerCare eligibility in response to the troubled roll-out of the federal healthcare.gov insurance exchange, Wisconsin officials are also seeking federal permission to allow state residents receiving a federal subsidy to purchase insurance plans directly from the insurance companies rather than being forced to buy through the exchange. The Walker […]
Special Session Bill Would Push Back ACA-Related Deadlines in Wisconsin
Date Fri, Dec. 6, 2013 - 9:13am By Hamilton
Although reports indicate that the federal healthcare.gov insurance exchange website is working better than when it was launched in October, Wisconsin is taking action to make sure residents that are losing their state coverage, and thus must shop for coverage on the exchange, have plenty of time to do so. Gov. Walker and the Legislature, […]
Last Floor Sessions of 2013
Date Tue, Nov. 19, 2013 - 11:59pm By Hamilton
The Senate and Assembly have adjourned their last regular sessions for 2013. Both houses had busy agendas as they moved to get bills passed before the end of the calendar year. Elections and Politics The most contentious issues involved elections – from voting to recalls and redistricting. Party line votes and long debates were abundant. […]
Recommendations from the Mental Health Taskforce
Date Thu, Oct. 24, 2013 - 8:43pm By Hamilton
Recently, the Speaker’s Task Force on Mental Health published a report containing their recommendations to improve Wisconsin’s mental health services and laws. The bipartisan Task Force chaired by Rep. Severson, brought together legislators, specialists, law enforcement officers, and mental health care providers to develop the recommendations. The report recommendations include: Hospital Diversion, Emergency Detention, and Civil […]
DHS Secretary Makes the Case for Wisconsin Healthcare System
Date Thu, Oct. 24, 2013 - 8:03pm By Hamilton
Wisconsin Department of Health Services Sec. Kitty Rhoades put out an editorial defending the state’s decision to reject federal Affordable Care Act (ACA) funding for expanding Medicaid and its effort to move Medicaid recipients to the federal health exchange. Wisconsin’s Unique Approach to Health Care Options in 2014 Governor Walker’s unique Wisconsin approach builds on […]
State May Owe Feds Medicaid Money
Date Tue, Oct. 8, 2013 - 12:54pm By Hamilton
A federal audit shows the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) did not properly document charges for services at 27 residential care centers serving troubled youth from October 2004 to September 2006. The federal inspector general is recommending that Health and Human Service (HHS) officials follow up on the audit by requesting a $22.8 million […]
Health Care Reform Resources for Wisconsinites
Date Tue, Oct. 8, 2013 - 12:50pm By Hamilton
The federal marketplace for health insurance opened on October 1, but polls indicate that many people still have questions about what impact the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) will have on their health care. Wisconsin’s Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI) and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) are working together […]
DHS Beefs Up Fraud Prevention Efforts
Date Tue, Oct. 8, 2013 - 12:42pm By Hamilton
Gov. Walker has directed the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) to evaluate and implement six strategies strengthening the state’s public assistance programs by increasing fraud prevention and giving DHS access to more information that it can use to verify individuals and families are eligible for public assistance benefits. Gov. Walker’s six strategies for increasing […]
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Date Wed, Oct. 2, 2013 - 6:42pm By Hamilton
October is nationally recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The month provides an opportunity to educate the public prevention and testing, and it encourages the raising of funds for research. In the past, the Wisconsin State Capitol has been lit pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The National Institutes of Health has additional information about […]