On Oct. 21, the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI), with Deputy Commissioner and Task Force Chair Nathan Houdek’s signature, released the Governor’s Task Force on Reducing Prescription Drug Prices final 2020 report. The report is the product of the task force’s work to identify strategies to improve prescription drug affordability and accessibility for […]
Governor Evers Issues Emergency Order to Provide Flexibilities for Health Care Workforce
October 2, 2020
On Oct. 1, Governor Evers issued Emergency Order #2 to make it easier for out-of-state health workers to work in Wisconsin. The order provides temporary interstate licensure reciprocity, extends licenses that may expire during the federal emergency declaration for 30 days after it ends, and allows health care providers with a recently lapsed license to […]
Governor Evers Declares New Public Health Emergency Extends Statewide Requirement to Wear Masks until November 21
October 2, 2020
On September 22, Gov. Evers declared a new public health emergency in response to the increase in COVID-19 cases in Wisconsin. Executive Order #90 proclaims a new public health emergency, effective immediately and remaining in effect for 60 days, or until revoked by the governor or by joint resolution of the Legislature. Litigation is ongoing […]
Wisconsin COVID-19 Response Post-Safer at Home
May 29, 2020
A few weeks after the Wisconsin Supreme Court invalidated the state’s “Safer at Home” emergency order, state and local leaders continue to grapple with the ongoing pandemic and economic recovery. The Department of Health Services (DHS) has declined to promulgate Safer at Home as a statewide rule and instead some local health departments have orders in place. […]
Wisconsin Supreme Court Declares Safer at Home Order Unenforceable
May 15, 2020
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has issued a 4-3 decision in Legislature v. Palm, declaring the Department of Health Services’s (DHS) “Safer at Home” order unenforceable and immediately striking down the order. The court held that the Safer at Home order is a “rule” that was required to go through statutory rulemaking processes and that the […]
Gov. Evers Extends Safer At Home Order
April 16, 2020
Gov. Tony Evers has extended Wisconsin’s Safer at Home Order to May 26. Under Emergency Order #28, starting April 24, some non-essential businesses may begin running minimum basic operations, including deliveries, mailings, and curb-side pick-up. Other changes under the new Emergency Order include: Golf courses reopeningPublic libraries reopening for curbside pickupArts and crafts stores reopening […]
Gov. Evers Signs COVID-19 Legislation
April 16, 2020
Yesterday, the Wisconsin state Senate unanimously passed and Gov. Tony Evers signed AB 1038, the comprehensive legislative package to address COVID-19. With the governor’s signature, the bill is now enacted as 2019 Act 185. Gov. Evers statement on the COVID-19 bill. Hamilton Consulting summary of the COVID-19 bill.
Assembly Passes COVID-19 Legislation
April 14, 2020
On April 14, the Wisconsin Assembly met in its first ever virtual session to pass legislation addressing COVID-19. The Senate is expected to pass the bill, also in virtual session, on Wednesday. With the Assembly passing the bill on a bipartisan basis, it is expected that Gov. Tony Evers will sign the bill into law. […]
Insurers Respond to COVID-19
April 14, 2020
Wisconsin health insurers are committed to helping prevent the spread of COVID-19. Various companies providing health insurance to Wisconsinites have already taken actions like waiving coronavirus testing costs and related treatment. Anthem, Molina Healthcare, and United HealthCare, the nation’s largest insurer, have waived all patient out-of-pocket costs related to COVID-19, in addition to their initial waivers of […]
Gov. Evers Issues Safer At Home Order
March 24, 2020
This morning, Gov. Tony Evers issued Emergency Order #12, the “Safer at Home” order, directing all individuals in Wisconsin to stay at home, limiting non-essential travel, and ceasing all non-essential business operations. The order is effective 8:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 24 through Friday, April 24. The order directs all individuals in Wisconsin to stay at home. […]