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November 23, 2009
Inside the Capitol is a monthly electronic newsletter for Wisconsin Academy of Family Physicians (WAFP) members who are interested in legislative issues. Please contact the WAFP office if you have comments or suggestions.
WAFP Legislative Year in Review
With 2009 quickly coming to an end, the current legislative session is more than half over. And while the Wisconsin Academy of Family Physicians (WAFP) is always moving forward to meet future policy goals, the WAFP should also take a step back to review what has been accomplished over the past eleven months.
Entering the 2009-10 legislative session, the WAFP identified several legislative policies that would enhance the practice of Family Medicine and improve the overall health of Wisconsin citizens. To date, the WAFP has successfully advocated for the following legislative initiatives:
- Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) Pilot Program – The initiative implements a PCMH pilot program for Wisconsin Medicaid recipients. Under the law, the WI Department of Health Services is directed to develop a program to increase Medicaid reimbursements and provide a monthly per-patient care coordination fee for physicians who meet at least one of the following requirements: 1) Recognized by the National Committee on Quality Assurance as a PCMH; or 2) Identified by the WI Department of Health Services Secretary as a provider who performs
well with respect to certain aspects of care required under a PCMH model. (Included in 2009 WI Act 28 - state budget bill)
- Tobacco Tax Increases – The cigarette tax in Wisconsin was increased by 75-cents per pack, from $1.77 to $2.52 per pack. The tax on all other tobacco products (except cigars) was also increased – by 20.5%. (Included in 2009 WI Act 28 - state budget bill)
- Wisconsin Smoke-Free Act – The new law implements a statewide ban on indoor smoking in any public location or place of employment, effective July 5, 2010. The initiative makes an exception for the private residences, but applies to all other public locations, including taverns, restaurants, private clubs and banquet halls. The law imposes fines on establishments that allow illegal smoking and on patrons that illegally smoke in an establishment. (Senate Bill 181 – Signed into law as 2009 WI Act 12)
- Primary Enforcement of Seat Belt Law – The initiative authorizes law enforcement to issue a traffic citation to motorists not wearing a seat belt. Previously, not wearing a seat belt was a secondary offense, and a ticket could only be issued if a motorist was stopped for a separate offense. (Included in 2009 WI Act 28 - state budget bill)
- Increased Access to Health Care Coverage – The newly enacted law requires individual and group health insurance policies to cover eligible young adults up to age 27 through their parent's health care plan, if requested by the parent. Eligible individuals must be under 27 years of age, not married and not eligible for health coverage through their employer. (Included in 2009 WI Act 28 - state budget bill)
- Medicaid Program Expansion – The law expands Medicaid coverage to income eligible adults without children. (Included in 2009 WI Act 28 - state budget bill)
- Volunteer Health Care Providers Act – Under the legislation, volunteer medical services provided by physicians at community clinics to low income individuals would be covered by the state’s medical liability insurance. Additionally, a physician’s private medical liability insurance policy would not be required to cover services provided under the volunteer program. (Senate Bill 80 – Awaiting Governor’s signature)
As expected in most legislative sessions, 2009 also came with its share of disappointments. Due largely to an unprecedented $6 billion budget deficit, the state was compelled to cut funding for many important programs – some of which significantly impact health care in Wisconsin.
The funding cuts of concern to WAFP included reductions for the Family Medicine programs at the Medical College of Wisconsin and the UW-Madison School of Medicine, as well as a 55% cut to the state’s tobacco control program.
The Department of Health Services was also directed by the legislature to cut nearly $600 million from the state's Medicaid budget. On a positive note, despite the cost-saving efforts, the Department is committed to maintaining current benefit levels, expanding coverage to the uninsured and avoiding across-the-board rate cuts to providers.
Overall, especially in light of Wisconsin’s budget crisis, 2009 was a successful year for the WAFP’s legislative program. With continued hard work and a strong focus on our advocacy efforts, 2010 should be another good year under the Capitol dome for Family Medicine.
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