WISCONSIN LONG-TERM CARE UPDATE
By Forbes McIntosh, Lobbying Consultant
July 27, 2010
Family Care Audit Moves Forward - Please Call and Thank Committee Members
As reported earlier this month, the Joint Legislative Audit Committee approved a broad financial and programmatic audit of Wisconsin's Family Care program. It is clear that the audit was approved due to the high level of constituent contact to legislative offices.
During the hearing Committee members stated that they had received numerous calls from constituents, both providers and consumers, for the need of an audit of Family Care over the past six months.
A major concern of the provider associations and committee members is that the audit being approved may not be available until after the 2011-13 legislative biennial budget process is completed (June 30, 2011). It was the intent of the long-term care profession to have a report completed early next year so that the information could be used to seek budget amendments to improve the program. An audit of this magnitude could take a year or longer. The State Auditor in her testimony to the Committee stated that if the report could not be finalized in time for the budget, relevant and important information that the Joint Finance Committee might want during the budget deliberations could be provided.
In a follow up to the approval of the audit, the various long-term care provider associations all signed onto a letter requesting a meeting with the Legislative Audit Bureau to discuss the audit; submit information from provider organizations; and, offer on behalf of all long-term care providers to help collect data\information so that the audit can be successfully completed.
Time to Thank Our Legislators! When you are successful at obtaining something from the Legislature - you need to recognize the favorable outcome by thanking your legislators. We inundated legislative offices with calls and complaints about Family Care - so now we need to follow up with a thank you.
If your facility\program is located in the districts of these legislators (or if you live in these districts) - Please call, e-mail or send a written letter thanking your legislator for supporting the financial and programmatic audit of the Family Care program. This will also go a long way toward building stronger relationships with you and your legislator.
The Message: Dear [LEGISLATOR'S NAME] I just wanted to send a short note to extend my appreciation - to say thank you for your support of the audit of the Family Care program.
Your support on this issue is an important first step in the process of maintaining quality care. Thank you.
Contact these Legislators \ Only if you Live or the Facility\Program is Located in Their District
(click on the legislator's name to obtain their contact information)
Senate MembersAssembly Members
Kathleen Vinehout , Co-chairperson (D-Alma)
Peter Barca , Co-chairperson (D-Kenosha)
Robert Jauch (D-Poplar)
Andy Jorgensen (D-Fort Atkinson)
Mark Miller (D-Monona)
Mark Pocan (D-Madison)
Robert Cowles (R-Green Bay)
Bill Kramer (R-Waukesha)
Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin)
Samantha Kerkman (R-Powers Lake)
LEGISLATIVE PUBLIC HEARING NOTICES
Only proposals that are a direct impact to long-term care are listed.
To view the complete list of public hearings, go to: Legislative Public Hearing Notices.
An "Executive Session" is when a Committee is scheduled to vote on a particular bill or resolution.
Regional Public Forums on Long-Term Care Funding Issues
OTHER MEETING NOTICES
- 09-07-10: 9:30 AM: Wisconsin Council on LTC (Madison, WI)
- 09-13-10: 10:00 AM: Wisconsin (DHS) Assisted Living Forum (Madison Area Technical College, 211 N. Carroll St, Room 240 Madison, WI)
- 09-08-10: 10:00 AM: Wisconsin LTC Workforce Alliance - Board Meeting, Community Living Alliance (1414 MacArthur Road Madison, WI)
- 09-08-10: 12:30 PM: Wisconsin LTC Workforce Alliance - Member Meeting, Community Living Alliance (1414 MacArthur Road Madison, WI)
- 11-02-10: 9:30 AM: Wisconsin Council on LTC (Madison, WI)
- 11-10-10: 10:00 AM: Wisconsin LTC Workforce Alliance - Board Meeting, Community Living Alliance (1414 MacArthur Road Madison, WI)
- 11-10-10: 12:30 PM Wisconsin LTC Workforce Alliance - Member Meeting, Community Living Alliance (1414 MacArthur Road Madison, WI)
NEW STATE AGNECY MEMOS (DHS, DQA, DLTC, DMHSAS, DWS, etc.)
- 07-12-10: DQA Memo 10-018: Minmum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 Provider Training Information.
- 07-21-10: OFCE Memo 10-06: (Family Care MCO) Technical Assistance for When a Residential Provider Rate Results in a Move for a Member.
State Agency Administrative Rules \ Administrative Register
To view the entire Administrative Register, click here.
- N/A (Next Administrative Register will be Published on August 1, 2010).
NEW LEGISLATION - INTRODUCED PROPOSALS
Wisconsin Legislature's Regular Business Floor Session Adjourned on April 22, 2010
The 2011-2012 Biennial Session Begins on January 3, 2011
NEW STATE LEGISLATION - LRB CO-SPONSORSHIP MEMOS
Legislative Reference Bureau (LRB) Cosponsorship Memos are proposals not yet introduced as a bill, but will be at the identified times. If you would like to receive a copy of the proposed legislation (LRB) and the corresponding co-sponsorship memo, please send an e-mail to forbes@wis-gps.com
Wisconsin Legislature's Regular Business Floor Session Adjourned on April 22, 2010
The 2011-2012 Biennial Session Begins on January 3, 2011
Contact Information: For substantive questions on rules contact: Pat Benesh, Quality Assurance Program Spec−Senior at 608−264−9896 or benespa@dhfs.state.wi.us.
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©
2009 Residential Services Association of Wisconsin