Legeslative Agenda | Legislative Archive
WEEKLY LONG-TERM CARE UPDATE January 26, 2005
- Governor Doyle Gives “State of the State” Address: Calls for Medicaid Reforms
- Special Budget “Repair Bill” Needed to Deal with Medicaid Deficits
- 5 Wisconsin Counties Will Participate in Federal Background Check Pilot Project
- BQA: Memos Affecting Nursing Homes and Assisted Living
- Assembly Medicaid Reform Committee Hearing on January 26, 2005
Governor Doyle Gives “State of the State” Address: Calls for Medicaid Reforms
Governor Doyle gave his “State of the State” address last Wednesday, January 12th. Included in the speech were references to healthcare and the Governor’s 2005-07 budget proposal, which is due to be released on February 8, 2005. Specifically, Governor Doyle stated that he would include “significant reforms in Medicaid”. In addition, Governor Doyle also said in reference the State’s Medicaid program, "We will ask all parts of the health care system to share in the solution." It should be noted that the state of Wisconsin faces a deficit of $1.6 billion in the 2005-07 budget, which approximately $900 million is directly associated with Medicaid.
Special Budget “Repair Bill” Needed to Deal with Medicaid Deficits
A special budget repair will need to be passed by both houses of the legislature and signed by Governor Doyle before the end of this fiscal year, which ends on June 30, 2005. Governor Doyle is expected to introduce the Budget Repair Bill on February 8, 2005 – the same day he will introduce his 2005-07 Biennial Budget proposal. At issue is the projected $225 million deficit in this current fiscal year in the State’s Medicaid program, which means the Medicaid Trust Fund will run out of money before the fiscal year ends. Since “Medicaid Reform” is already a major topic with the Governor and the Legislature, the budget repair bill could be the impetus for earlier policy changes in the State’s Medicaid program. The Assembly Committee on Medicaid Reform has already noticed a public hearing on Wisconsin’s Medicaid program, from invited speakers, for today, January 26, 2005.
5 Wisconsin Counties Will Selected in Federal Background Check Pilot
Dane, Douglas, Kenosha, La Crosse and Shawano
Wisconsin will be awarded a $2.5 million federal grant to participate in a FBI fingerprint-based background check pilot program. Long-term care entities located in the five selected counties will be required to conduct fingerprint-based federal background checks, in addition to the current name-based background checks through the Wisconsin Department of Justice as required under the State’s caregiver background check law. The selected counties include: Dane, Douglas, Kenosha, La Crosse and Shawano. These counties will gather data that will allow DHFS to assess the effectiveness of Wisconsin’s current caregiver background check law and look at caregiver provider employment decisions. The $2.5 million federal grant will fund the costs of: obtaining digitalized fingerprint services; conducting fingerprint-based FBI background checks; in addition, the funds will allow for technical training to pilot counties and preventative abuse training to direct caregivers. The department is contracting with an outside vendor to perform the fingerprinting process, at this time indication are that Promissor will be that outside contractor.
Wisconsin Bureau of Quality Assurance:
Memos Affecting Nursing Homes and Assisted Living
The Bureau of Quality Assurance posted new memos impacting nursing homes and assisted living facilities over the past two weeks. The nursing home of January 7, 2005 memo outlines all the changes to Wisconsin Administrative Rule HFS 132. The memo of December 27, 2004 provides information about the use of sample medications in Wisconsin assisted living facilities (Adult Day Care, Adult Family Homes, Community Based Residential Facilities, Residential Care Apartment Complexes).
http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/rl_DSL/Publications/BQAnodMems.htm <http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/rl_DSL/Publications/BQAnodMems.htm>
CAPITOL HEARINGS IMPACTING LONG-TERM CARE
Assembly Committee on Medicaid Reform
Wednesday, January 26, 2005 10:00 AM State Capitol, Room 417-N (GAR)
INFORMATIONAL HEARING on Wisconsin's Medicaid Program:
The Department of Health and Family Services will present information on Wisconsin's Medicaid Program. The hearing will last approximately 2 hours. Testimony will be limited to invited speakers only.
LONG-TERM CARE IN THE NEWS
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (January 15, 2005)
Aging with grace, frustration
Same-sex couples face extra financial hurdle
Now, that may all change. Two strokes have left DiPiazza’s 94-year-old partner using a wheelchair in their suburban Milwaukee condo. The tasks of his daily life are becoming more difficult. DiPiazza, 77, is happy to do everything possible to help manage the stress, including washing and lifting his partner when needed and shouldering the housework.
http://www.jsonline.com/bym/news/jan05/293195.asp
Stateline.org (January 14, 2005)
Govs to meet in nation’s capital on Medicaid strategy
A bipartisan group of 10 governors will meet behind closed doors in Washington, D.C., on the eve of the Inauguration to talk about Medicaid funding amid fears that President Bush might try to cap federal support for the program. Christine LaPaille, a spokeswoman for the National Governors Association <http://www.nga.org/> , declined to specify what would be discussed at the Jan. 19 meeting, but said “this is the beginning of what we think will be a long conversation about Medicaid.”
http://www.stateline.org/stateline/?pa=story&sa=showStoryInfo&id=424705 <http://www.stateline.org/stateline/?pa=story&sa=showStoryInfo&id=424705>
Appleton Post Crescent (January 10, 2005)
Study finds state Medicaid shortfall costing families
Wisconsin had a $349 million shortfall in Medicaid reimbursements in 2003, which cost insured families $250 in a “hidden tax” on their insurance premiums, according to Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce. Health care officials say the underpayment for Medicaid, a state and federal health insurance program for low-income people, is worse in Wisconsin than most other states. That means higher rates for health insurance coverage.
http://www.wisinfo.com/postcrescent/news/archive/local_19354877.shtml |
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2004 Residential Services Association of Wisconsin