The Obama administration’s surprise announcement delaying the employer mandate of the Affordable Care Act until 2015 has raised many questions as uncertainty over the law’s future increased. At issue is the so-called pay-or-play rule, a provision of the Affordable Care Act that would apply to any employee who works at least 30 hours per week […]
New Bills Signed Into Law
Date Mon, Jul. 8, 2013 - 10:57am By Hamilton
Gov. Walker signed several bills into law on Friday, July 5, 2013. Please contact a member of the Hamilton Consulting team if you require further information on any of the laws below. Assembly Bill 20 – relating to the notice and degree requirements for the examination to practice as a certified public accountant. This […]
Unemployment Insurance to Undergo Changes
Date Fri, Jun. 14, 2013 - 10:20am By Hamilton
Both houses of the Wisconsin Legislature have passed a bill, SB 200, overhauling the state’s Unemployment Insurance Compensation (UIC) program. The package of twenty-two reforms, which would increase the maximum weekly unemployment payout but also install new limits upon whom can collect the benefits, will now go to the governor for his signature. The bill […]
Budget Bill Heads to the Floor
Date Fri, Jun. 7, 2013 - 9:56am By Hamilton
After a marathon hearing that covered three of the biggest policy issues in the budget – medical assistance, K-12 education, and taxes – the Joint Finance Committee finalized its version of the 2013-15 budget. Highlights Medical Assistance As Gov. Walker recommended, the JFC voted (12-4 along party lines) to reject federal funds for expanding Medicaid […]
On Last Day JFC Will Take Up Medical Assistance, K-12 Education & Taxes
Date Thu, May. 30, 2013 - 4:20pm By Hamilton
The Joint Finance Committee will convene on Tuesday, June 4 at 10 a.m. to vote on the remaining budget items – medical assistance, K-12 education & taxes. The Legislative Fiscal Bureau has prepared papers on the following budget items for JFC’s consideration: Health Services — Medical Assistance and Related ProgramsMA Cost-to-Continue Reestimate BadgerCare Plus — […]
Affordable Care Act FAQ
Date Tue, May. 7, 2013 - 3:56pm By Hamilton
In response to numerous inquiries related to the federal Affordable Care Act, the Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI) has developed FAQ documents to help answer questions employers, agents and consumers have about the impact the Act will have in Wisconsin. OCI will continually update the FAQs as additional information and guidance is […]
Wisconsin A National Leader in Screening for and Identifying Hearing Loss in Infants
Date Tue, May. 7, 2013 - 11:00am By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services is celebrating Wisconsin’s success in testing infants for hearing loss during Better Hearing and Speech Month. Click to see a public service announcement from DHS. “In 1999, when Wisconsin passed an initiative to begin early screening for hearing problems in babies, less than 2% of infants were screened,” […]
LRB Releases Map Showing Percentage of WI Population Receiving FoodShare Benefits
Date Thu, Apr. 11, 2013 - 4:51pm By Hamilton
The Legislative Reference Bureau has prepared a map showing on a county by county basis the percentage of Wisconsin residents receiving FoodShare benefits. The LRB’s analysis accompanying the map outlines reasons why participation in the program is growing.
Injured Patients and Families Compensation Fund Audit Released
Date Tue, Apr. 2, 2013 - 3:51pm By Hamilton
The nonpartisan Legislative Audit Bureau (LAB) recently completed its triennial audit of the Injured Patients and Families Compensation Fund, housed at the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance. The Fund provides participating physicians and other health care providers in Wisconsin with secondary medical malpractice insurance to cover claims that exceed the coverage limits of […]
Newborn Screening Task Force Requests Public Input
Date Tue, Mar. 12, 2013 - 9:37am By Hamilton
The state’s Newborn Screening Task Force is holding a community forum to provide an opportunity for input on a variety of questions at its next meeting on Monday, March 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Zilber School of Public Health, 1240 N. 10th Street, Room 109, Milwaukee. “The community forum gives families, […]