The Joint Finance Committee (JFC) has kicked off the budget process in the legislature by holding agency briefings this week. Inviting fewer agencies than usual, JFC heard testimony from six agencies over two days, including the Department of Health Services (DHS).
DHS Secretary Andrea Palm’s testimony said Gov. Evers’s budget proposal is “anchored in” Medicaid expansion. Palm also highlighted the proposed budget’s investments in increased provider reimbursement rates.
Republicans on the committee had concerns about how these provisions could shift cost to private sector insurance and create instability in the private market. Legislators also discussed with Palm topics including medical marijuana, opioids, dental access, and lead poisoning.