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Advocating in Madison, Milwaukee, Washington DC and Beyond!
Advocating in Madison, Milwaukee, Washington DC and Beyond!
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DHS tells School Medicaid Coalition it will reverse “Free Care Rule” and bring more money to Wisconsin schools
In a recent meeting, top officials with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) told the Wisconsin School Medicaid Coalition that the department is working to reverse the federal “Free Care Rule,” which currently limits Medicaid funding reimbursement for services provided in the school setting to those provided to students with Individualized Education Plans or IEPs. This will provide significant new funding for Wisconsin schools. Joining Jack O’Meara in the meeting were leaders of the Wisconsin Association of School Nurses (WASN), the Wisconsin School Social Workers Association (WSSWA), and the Wisconsin School Psychologists Association (WSPA). OPA manages the coalition, which has long advocated for Free Care Rule Reversal in Wisconsin. The federal government has allowed states to implement the rule reversal as long as they do it through their State Medicaid Plans. DHS will present the proposed plan change to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The goal for implementation at the school level is the 2025-26 school year.
OPA works with Governor Evers to have some bills signed and others vetoed
Jack O’Meara recently took part in a bill-signing ceremony where Governor Evers signed a bill that OPA was very involved in from drafting to passage in the Legislature to signing. Another bill that OPA had a hand in lobbying for was signed. Jack also attended a “veto ceremony” where the Governor vetoed a bill that was strongly opposed by OPA clients. During the Evers Administration, OPA has worked closely with the Governor’s team to both enact and stop legislation. The Governor has a very important role as the “goaltender” who blocks bills that are not in the best interest of the people of the state.
Governor signs bill with language requested by OPA
Injection of epinephrine is used for emergency treatment of severe allergic reactions (including anaphylaxis) to insect bites or stings, medicines, foods, or other substances. It is also used to treat anaphylaxis caused by unknown substances or triggered by exercise.
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers recently signed legislation into law that will make epinephrine more readily available in Wisconsin by removing statutory language referring to “auto injector or prefilled epinephrine syringes” and instead using the more generic terminology of “epinephrine delivery system.” The new law is 2023 Wisconsin Act 27: https://docs.legis.
Working on behalf of the Wisconsin Association of School Nurses (WASN), O’Meara Public Affairs (OPA) asked for language clarifying that the epinephrine doses be “premeasured.” In reviewing the initial legislation, WASN’s Legislative Committee had noted that excessive doses of epinephrine can be dangerous.
Jack O’Meara reached out to the bill’s authors and delivered testimony to legislative committees in both houses of the Wisconsin Legislature. The bill’s authors agreed to the change, and the amendment adding the “premeasured” language was adopted when the committees went into executive session.
June 7 Legislative Floor Calendars Included Legislation that O’Meara Public Affairs Successfully Lobbied On
The June 7 Wisconsin Senate and Assembly Calendars included:
School nurses present Senator Chris Larson with 2023 School Nurse Advocate Award
The Wisconsin Association of School Nurses (WASN) presented its 2023 School Nurse Advocate Award to Senator Chris Larson (D-Milwaukee). The photo is of WASN lobbyist Jack O’Meara presenting the award to Senator Larson at the State Capitol. Senator Larson also prepared a video for the WASN spring conference in Green Bay. In recent legislative sessions, Senator Larson has authored legislation that would provide a revenue limit exemption to allow school districts to hire school nurses. He has also been a strong supporter of public education and school health generally.
Governor Evers Signs Wisconsin Merit Scholarship Legislation
Jack O’Meara and PROFS President Michael Bernard-Donals joined Governor Evers on April 5 for the signing of Assembly Bill 67, which extended the Wisconsin Merit Scholarship program to top in-state students attending UW System schools. A large portion of the students receiving the Wisconsin Merit Scholarships choose to attend UW-Madison. PROFS, representing UW-Madison faculty, supported AB 67. Also joining the bill-signing was Rep. Chanz Green (R-Bayfield), the lead author of the legislation.
Governor Evers Declares March 5-11 “School Social Work Week”
Thanks to Governor Tony Evers for issuing a proclamation for School Social Work Week. OPA works with the Governor’s office on proclamations for many clients.
Read the Proclamation