Health Care Legislation Introduced, Physician Assistant Board Filled
After the Labor Day weekend, bill introduction has increased in the Wisconsin Legislature.
Legislative Proposals of Interest: These proposals were recently introduced.
- Extended Medicaid Coverage for Post-Partum Women: SB 562 [2021 Senate Bill 562 (wisconsin.gov)] proposes to require the Department of Health Services to seek approval from the federal Department of Health and Human Services to Medical Assistance benefits for post-partum women until the last day of the month in which the 365th day after the last day of the pregnancy falls. Currently, coverage extends to the 60th day after the last day of the pregnancy falls.
- Prompt Pay Discount Legislation: This legislation, Senate Bill 559 [2021 Senate Bill 559 (wisconsin.gov)], was introduced last week. As reported last month, this legislation proposed to permit health care providers to discount the amount that is owed by a patient when the patient pays his or her bill promptly. UnityPoint Health will be monitoring this legislation for a hearing date.
- Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact: AB 537 [2021 Assembly Bill 537] / SB 534 [2021 Senate Bill 534] ratifies and enters Wisconsin into the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact, which provides for the ability of a psychologist to practice more easily in other compact states
- Unemployment Insurance Benefits: AB 542 [2021 Assembly Bill 542] / SB 547 [2021 Senate Bill 547] authorizes an exemption making individuals eligible for unemployment insurance benefits in the case of an unwillingness to receive a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine.
In follow up to the “Less for Rx” Prescription Drug Plan that was unveiled last month, multiple proposals on prescription drugs were Introduced. We will report more on specific proposals when / if they advance through the legislative process.
Physician Assistant Affiliated Credentialing Board. Gov. Tony Evers made appointments to fill the new Physician Assistant Affiliated Credentialing Board, which has regulatory oversight of physician assistants. Established under 2021 Wisconsin Act 23, the Act transferred credentialing of physician assistants from the Medical Examining Board’s Council on Physician Assistants. The new board consists of eight licensed physician assistants and one public member, each appointed for staggered four-year terms.
Wisconsin Hospital Association (WHA) resource: The WHA website now includes an interactive hospital finder tool [WHA – Hospital Finder]. The WHA hospital finder tool draws upon information collected in the state’s annual hospital survey and leverages the data visualization capabilities of the Wisconsin Hospital Association Information Center (WHAIC). The new map feature also allows visitors to search for hospitals in Wisconsin by specific services provided.
For more information on State of Wisconsin advocacy, legislative, policy and regulatory issues of impact to UnityPoint Health, please contact Cathy Simmons, executive director of government & external affairs for UnityPoint Health.