Help preserve Wisconsin’s stable medical liability environment

Urge your legislators to protect the Injured Patients & Family Compensation Fund

With the Republican-controlled Assembly and Democratic-controlled Senate at odds on the proposed $175 million transfer from the Injured Patients and Families Compensation Fund, the ultimate fate of the Fund lies in the hands of the budget conference committee. The eight-member committee comprised of legislative leaders from both houses is charged with reconciling disparities between the Assembly and Senate budgets.

With a decision likely to be made by the conference committee in the coming weeks, the WAFP is launching a second statewide media campaign (listen to the radio spot) and grassroots advocacy effort to help preserve the Fund and protect Wisconsin patients.

To be successful, we need your help and full participation from WAFP members!

Governor Doyle included similar "raids" on the Fund in past budgets that were ultimately rejected by the Legislature, but in the current political environment, it has proven much more difficult to protect the Fund.

That's why your participation in the WAFP grassroots effort is essential. If we hope to preserve the Fund and sustain Wisconsin's favorable medical liability environment, we must utilize each and every one of our resources – the most valuable of which is our members.

What you can do to help:

Call, write or e-mail your legislators TODAY and urge them to preserve the Fund, protect Wisconsin patients and reject Governor Doyle’s proposed transfer.

The following WAFP documents relating to the proposed “raid” on the Injured Patients & Family Compensation Fund will help you stay on message when contacting your legislators:

WAFP statement on the proposed transfer from the Fund

Frequently Asked Questions

Talking Points

Letter to your legislator (please personalize before you send to your legislators)

Also, whether you call, write or e-mail your legislators, remember:

• Identify yourself as a constituent and physician;
• Clearly state your position;
• Use personal stories (Explain how a liability crisis will affect you and your practice); and
• Ask them for their position

If you’re unsure who your legislators are or don’t know how to contact them, please visit http://capitol.aafp.org/aafp/state/main/?state=WI to find out.

Also, if you do make a legislative contact, please contact WAFP Executive Director Larry Pheifer as soon as possible and let him know how your legislators responded. This will help us track our success and develop the best possible strategies to meet our goals. Larry can be reached at 800-272-WAFP or larry@wafp.org.

Thank you – and good luck!