Friday Update August 20, 2004

DHFS and WHEDA to Announce Tax Credit Program to Develop Low-Income Housing – Assisted Living
Governor Jim Doyle, the Department of Health and Family Services (DHFS) and the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) are expected to announce a new initiative next week to assist the long-term care community and public housing authorities to develop new models of housing with services for low and moderate-income senior citizens.

The model for the future that DHFS and WHEDA are promoting is based on One Penny Place Residential Care Apartment Complex (RCAC) located in Woodruff, Wisconsin.  Both agencies are stating that One Penny Place will be more affordable for people because it was financed through WHEDA with low-income housing tax credits.

Secretary Nelson is also expected to announce that DHFS has submitted a new federal grant proposal, in cooperation with WHEDA, to support the development costs of three new models, including apartments for adults with disabilities to be operated by the Milwaukee County Housing Authority.


2004 Elections are Approaching – Have You Invited Your State Legislators to Visit?
Wisconsin’s Primary Election is less than 4 weeks away (September 14th) and the General Election is 10 weeks (November 2, 2004).  All 99 State Assembly Representative seats and half (16) of the State Senate seats are up for election this year.  Wisconsin residents will also have to vote for President, U.S. Senate and all Congressional seats.  2004 is an important election year, which means 2004 is an important time for long-term care healthcare providers to meet with their State Assembly Representatives and State Senators and invite them to tour their facilities, meet care staff and understand the challenges we face as a profession.  If you would like assistance scheduling legislative visits, please call or e-mail our lobbyist Forbes McIntosh at (608) 255-0566 or mcintosh@broydrick.com

Wisconsin 2005-07 Biennial Budget – Challenges and Opportunities
September 15th is the statutory deadline for Wisconsin state departments\agencies to provide the Department of Administration their budget funding and program requests.  These department\agency budget requests serve as the basis for the Governor’s budget, which is traditionally introduced as legislation in mid-February.  The importance of the 2005-07 budget cannot be understated – it will determine long-term care provider reimbursement rates; provider fees; and, the direction the long-term care profession will take over the next two years.

Already, Wisconsin’s capitol is buzzing over what issues the legislature maybe focusing on: Medicaid Reform, VISIONS;  expanding managed care in the long-term care arena, TABOR, and how will the state deal with the deficits in the current $224 million Medicaid budget shortfall and the projected $750 million structural deficit in the 2005-07 budget.

We are already working with the Department of Health and Family Services (DHFS) and the Governor’s office to promote changes and reimbursement rate increases.  But again, the Wisconsin Assembly and Senate – our state legislature, will determine the final 2005-07 budget document.  Again, we need you and all providers to contact your state senator and state assembly representative and schedule an appointment for them to meet with you and tour your facility.  This is an important time in the long-term care arena.  The next several months will determine how our profession is shaped; funded; and, how quality care is enhanced.

Who are my Legislators & How Do I Contact Them?
<http://www.legis.state.wi.us/waml/>



Important Dates to Remember

Wisconsin Council on Long-Term Care
September 10, 2004
October 8, 2004
November 12, 2004
December 10, 2004

Wisconsin Council on Long-Term Care
Residential Options Task Force
August 20, 2004
September 17, 2004
October 15, 2004
November 19, 2004
December TBA, 2004

2004 Wisconsin Elections
September 14, 2004: Partisan Primary (state elections)
November 2, 2004: Presidential and General Elections (federal and state-wide elections)


Long-Term Care in the News…

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (August 20, 2004)
Gathering today to mark building of nursing home for veterans
Union Grove - State legislators and government officials will gather this morning to celebrate the construction of the first nursing home for veterans in southeastern Wisconsin.  Construction of the $19.2 million, 120-bed center began in the spring and should be done by November 2005. When finished, the nursing home will be part of a cluster of residential complexes for veterans called Wisconsin Veterans Home that shares land with a state institution for disabled people and prisons for girls and women.
<http://www.jsonline.com/news/racine/aug04/252562.asp>


Marshfield News Herald (August 11, 2004)
Focus on health: No simple solutions to improve health care access
Every month Scope will talk to a central Wisconsin health professional about important health trends and health care topics.  Dr. Susan Turney starts a new journey this month.  Turney, an internist and former Marshfield Clinic medical director of patient financial services, breaks down two barriers Aug. 12 when she takes over as head of the 163-year-old Wisconsin Medical Society.
<http://www.wisinfo.com/newsherald/scope/283769919568883.shtml>