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, […]
Celebrate Red Cross Month
Date Fri, Mar. 1, 2013 - 10:05am By Hamilton
March is Red Cross Month, a time to remind everyone of the work of the American Red Cross in communities across the country and around the globe. The American Red Cross was created in 1881 by Clara Barton and officially chartered by Congress in 1900 to provide national and international relief during disasters, and […]
Kitty Rhoades Appointed Secretary of the Department of Health Services
Date Fri, Feb. 22, 2013 - 12:31pm By Hamilton
Gov. Walker has announced that Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) Secretary Dennis G. Smith is stepping down and is being replaced by DHS Deputy Secretary Kitty Rhoades. Prior to being appointed to her current position in January 2011, Rhoades served in the Wisconsin State Assembly from 1999 until her retirement in 2010. During her […]