Legislature Prioritizes Health Care in State Budget
Soon after we wrap up the 2023-2025 state budget later this month, political opportunists will try to divide the state on just about every item in (and not in) the budget. One tune that is on their Greatest Hits list goes something like this – “Republicans don’t invest in affordable, accessible health care!”
I want you to know what we are committing to as a Legislature in this portion of the state budget. While these newsletters typically give just a high-level overview of these matters, I thought a comprehensive listing might give you a better perspective on the GOP’s health care commitment to the residents of Wisconsin.
The Republican budget proposal:
- Provides $3.1 billion to support accessible and affordable health care in our state.
- Increases funding for key supports like DHS, rural critical care hospital payments, Medicaid reimbursement rates across health care service type, and free and charitable clinics, including:
- $68M to increase base rates for hospitals
- $132M for increasing primary care provider rates
- $15.4M to raise emergency department physician rates
- $1.8M for rate parity for chiropractors
- $30.5M for increasing rates for hospital services provided in behavioral health units for general medical and surgical hospitals
- Recognizes and responds to serious challenges facing our health care industry, like worker shortages, complex patient situations and an aging population, by investing the following:
- $225M for continuing the 5% home and community based services rate increase
- $38.4M to increase the personal care reimbursement rate
- $5M for expanding allied health professional education and training grants, and expanding the program to include registered nurses
- $2M for the WisCaregiver Careers program, which will help incentivize individuals to enter the medical field
- Invests over $492 million into long-term care in our state.
These are just a few of the critical investments in health care included in the Legislature’s budget proposal to the Governor. They are not simply words on a page – they are a promise to every resident of Wisconsin that their health and wellbeing is highly prioritized by their representatives in the state government. I look forward to voting on this proposal when it comes before the Assembly in the next few weeks.
Contact Me
My office is always available to help with any state-related questions or concerns you may have. You can reach my office at (608) 237-9104, or email me at Rep.Steffen@legis.wisconsin.
