Friday Update September 17, 2004

WEEKLY LONG-TERM CARE UPDATE

Big budget hike sought for state health costs
DHFS request up $622 million for Medicaid, other programs
The Department of Health and Family Services is seeking a $622 million net increase in state general purpose revenue in 2005-07 for key health programs in a "cost to continue" budget request.
The proposed state spending increases for Medicaid, BadgerCare and SeniorCare are the key ingredients of the DHFS budget overall request for a $657 million general purpose revenue increase in the next biennium. The plan was submitted to Gov. Jim Doyle this week.
<http://www.madison.com/tct/news/index.php?ntid=10361&ntpid=5>

If you would like to review the DHFS 2005-07 Budget Request: Go To:
<http://www.dhfs.state.wi.us/aboutDHFS/OSF/Budget/DHFS05-07BiennialBudget.pdf>


Wisconsin Governor Administration Seeks Approval of Increased Minimum Wage
On Monday, September 20th at 11:30 AM, Governor Doyle and Department of Workforce Development Secretary Roberta Gassman will host a press conference to request that legislators support the increased minimum wage administrative rule.  The minimum wage rule would raise the minimum wage from $5.15 per hour to $5.70 per hour on its effective date and to $6.50 an hour on October 1, 2005.

All of the media press releases and press conferences by the Doyle administration is occurring due to the fact that the Joint Administrative Rules Committee is scheduled to meet and take action on the minimum wage increase rule.  The Co-Chair of the committee, Rep. Glenn Grothman, and the Republican led committee is not expected to support the minimum wage increases.  Therefore, the committee is most likely to either “object” to the rule or request modifications from DWD.  In either case, this action would require that the legislature pass a bill to block the minimum wage increase, even though Governor Doyle would veto such a proposal – therefore the legislature could delay the minimum wage increases for approximately 2 years.

Wisconsin Primary Elections Bring Upsets and Already Shape Next Year’s Budget
Wisconsin held state election primaries last Tuesday, September 14, 2004.  Both the Senate and Assembly had major upsets, each house lost key incumbents, both of whom opposed passage of a TABOR Constitutional Amendment over the summer.  TABOR (Taxpayer Bill of Rights) is a proposal to place spending caps on state and local government in the Constitution.  The measure never came to a vote in either house, due to inadequate support from Republicans or Democrats.

The biggest upset was of course Senate Majority Leader Mary Panzer (R-West Bend), who lost her re-election in the primary to current state representative Glenn Grothman (R-West Bend). Grothman won the Republican primary for Senate with a stunning 80% of the vote.  The Assembly also lost a veteran state Representative Michael Lehman (R-Hartford).  Both legislators had opposed a TABOR Constitutional Amendment, and both of their winning opponents based their re-election efforts on passing TABOR.

Republicans will most likely control both houses of the legislature after November 2, 2004.  The real election battle is for control of the “veto override”.  When the Governor vetoes a bill, the legislature can only override his veto with a 2/3-vote majority in both houses.  As you may recall, the Concealed Carry bill veto override failed by only one vote earlier this year.

Today, Friday, September 17th, Senate Republicans elected their new Senate Majority Leader (to replace outgoing Senator Panzer).  The new Senate Majority Leader is Senator Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau).

The Senate Districts that will be the most competitive will be for the November Elections:
Senate District 22: Bob Wirch (D-Kenosha) vs. Reince Priebus (R-Kenosha)
Senate District 32: Dan Kapanke (R-La Crosse) vs. Brad Pfaff (D-Onalaska)
Senate District 12: Roger Breske (D-Eland) vs. Thomas Tiffany (R-Hazelhurst)
Senate District 30: Dave Hansen (D-Green Bay) vs. Gary Drzewiecki (R-Green Bay)

The election battle for Assembly seats will be many.  Here are some of the more competitive Assembly races that will occur this Fall:
Assembly District 13: David Cullen (D-Milwaukee) vs. Matt Adamczyk (R-Wauwatosa)
Assembly District 28: Mark Pettis (R-Hertel) vs. Charles Wolden (D-Frederic)
Assembly District 29: Joe Plouff (D-Menomonie) vs. Andy Lamb (R-Meonomonie)
Assembly District 35: Donald Friske (R-Merrill) vs. Bill Brandt (D-Antigo)
Assembly District 36: James Crawford (D-Crandon) vs. Jeffrey Mursau (R-Crivitz)
Assembly District 46: Gary Hebl (D-Sun Prairie) vs. Nick Voegeli (R-Sun Prairie)
Assembly District 68: Terry Moulton (R-Chippewa Falls) vs. Joe Bee Xiong (D-Eau Claire)
Assembly District 74: Gary Sherman (D-Port Wing) vs. Barb Linton (R-Highbridge)
Assembly District 80: Gof Thomson (D-New Glarus) vs. Bret Davis (R-Oregon)
Assembly District 87: Marry Williams (R-Medford) vs. Mary Satterwhite (D-Phillips)
Assembly District 90: Karl Van Roy (R-Green Bay) vs. Helen Schaal (D-Green Bay)
Assembly District 96: Lee Nerison (R-Westby) vs. Gail Frie (D-Viroqua)


IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

RSA
Fri. Nov. 5th at 10:00 AM  Board Meeting (American Club in Kohler)

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

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

Medicaid\Healthcare Candidate Forums
Candidates will discuss their positions on Wisconsin’s most pressing health-related issues: Tobacco Control; Funding Medicaid; and, Healthcare for our seniors and citizens with disabilities.

September 20: La Crosse
All Star Lanes, 4735 Mormon Coulee Road, 9:30 AM – 12:00 NOON

September 27: Hudson
Hudson Hospital, 405 Stageline Road, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

October 4: Fennimore
SW Wisconsin Technical Center, 1800 Bronson Blvd., 9:30 AM – 12:00 NOON

October 12: Kenosha
UW-Parkside, 900 Wood Rd., 5:30 PM-7:00 PM

October 27: Eau Claire
Chippewa Valley Technical Collge Gateway Campus, 620 W. Clairemont Ave., 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM

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


LONG-TERM CARE IN THE NEWS

Capital Times (September 17, 2004)
Big budget hike sought for state health costs
DHFS request up $622 million for Medicaid, other programs
The Department of Health and Family Services is seeking a $622 million net increase in state general purpose revenue in 2005-07 for key health programs in a "cost to continue" budget request.
The proposed state spending increases for Medicaid, BadgerCare and SeniorCare are the key ingredients of the DHFS budget overall request for a $657 million general purpose revenue increase in the next biennium. The plan was submitted to Gov. Jim Doyle this week.
<http://www.madison.com/tct/news/index.php?ntid=10361&ntpid=5>

La Crosse Tribune (September 16, 2004)
Speakers say collaboration is improving area health care
Collaboration among health-care providers, businesses and their employees is improving health care in the 7 Rivers Region, and more collaboration is needed, speakers said Wednesday at a breakfast at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.  The impact of the health-care industry on the region's economy was the focus of the "Economic Indicators: An Update for the 7 Rivers Region" breakfast at the Cleary Alumni and Friends Center. About 180 people attended.
<http://www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2004/09/16/news/z2news16.txt>

Chetek Alert (September 15, 2004)
Celebrate National Assisted Living Week
Noting this week's observance of the 10th Annual National Assisted Living Week, state and private agencies have joined to recognize the efforts of staff, providers, advocates and others who help people throughout Wisconsin continue to live independently through assisted living facilities for helping Wisconsin residents remain in their communities.
"Wisconsin is committed to promoting individual choice and keeping Wisconsin's elderly and individuals with disabilities close to their homes and families," said Helene Nelson, Secretary of the Department of Health and FamilyServices. "Wisconsin helps thousands of consumers who choose to make their home in an assisted living facility."
<http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=1134&dept_id=150860&newsid=12928825&PAG=461&rfi=9>

The Business Journal of Milwaukee (September 14, 2004)
Village at Manor Park buys long-term care unit from Aurora
The Village at Manor Park, a West Allis provider of long-term care services, has acquired Friendship Living Centers, Milwaukee, from Aurora Health Care, the firms have announced.   Friendship Living Centers, 7300 W. Dean Road, include Friendship Village, an independent, assisted living and skilled nursing facility; and Freedom Village, an independent living townhome community. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
<http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2004/09/13/daily14.html>

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (September 12, 2004)
Thousands with mental illness still lack proper care in prisons
Group says troubled inmates too often get solitary confinement, not treatment
Wisconsin prison psychiatrists maintain caseloads that are 2 1/2 times what they should be, and crowded prison mental-health wards have led to mentally ill inmates getting locked in solitary confinement at high rates.
<http://www.jsonline.com/news/state/sep04/258198.asp>

The Mature Market (September 2004)
AoA Awards $5.1 Million to Support Community Services for Seniors Aging in Place In 22 Cities and Counties
The U.S. Administration on Aging (AoA), Department of Health and Human Services announced today $5,144,959 in 22 grants (16 new grants and six continuations) to help seniors remain independent in the communities in which they live.  Madison, WI, $343,412: Oakwood Lutheran Homes Association. The Madison Area Continuing Care Consortium will develop a community-based supportive service program in a residential urban area in Dane County, Wisconsin, with the goal of improving the quality of life for older adults and reduce the cost of care through improved coordination between medical and social service providers and the creation of a senior association.
http://www.thematuremarket.com/SeniorStrategic/dossier.php?numtxt=2946&idrb=5

Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter (September 5, 2004)
Making your home safe when dementia strikes
Watching a loved one develop symptoms of dementia can be trying.  “I think it’s heartbreaking, because the person you’ve known for all these years is suddenly not the person he or she used to be,” said Judy Goodchild, program coordinator for the Two Rivers Senior Center. “The body is still there, but the mind isn’t, and it’s devastating.”
<http://www.wisinfo.com/heraldtimes/news/archive/local_17624632.shtml>