Healthcare

SB 264 requires health insurance plans and the Medical Assistance program to cover specific breast cancer screenings without out-of-pocket costs for enrollees. It defines two key types of screenings: "diagnostic breast examinations" (used to evaluate symptoms or abnormalities, like mammograms) and "supplemental breast screening examinations" (for high-risk individuals without symptoms, using MRI or ultrasound). The bill prohibits cost-sharing (such as copays) for all diagnostic screenings and for the first supplemental screening per year, while allowing limited cost-sharing for additional supplemental screenings in the same year. This directly affects individuals with health insurance or Medical Assistance who require these screenings, particularly those at higher risk for breast cancer.

SB 23 extends Medicaid eligibility for postpartum women from 60 days to 365 days (one year) after pregnancy, directly affecting pregnant and postpartum women enrolled in the Medical Assistance program. The bill modifies eligibility rules to ensure coverage continues without regard to income changes during this extended period. It also adds a provision allowing women with family income above 300% of the poverty line to qualify if medical expenses for family members are covered, extending this eligibility to all family members. The bill requires federal approval for the 365-day extension to take effect.

AB 388 creates a one-time grant program to fund Rogers Behavioral Health for constructing an integrated mental health facility in Wisconsin's Chippewa Valley region. The facility will provide inpatient, residential, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and outpatient services for adolescents and adults. To receive the grant, Rogers must submit detailed certification plans for each service type (e.g., inpatient, residential) and report annually on facility operations and Medical Assistance patient access. The bill establishes specific requirements for facility certification under state health codes and mandates annual reporting to the Department of Health Services.

SB 183 modifies reimbursement rules for emergency medical services under Wisconsin's Medical Assistance program. It sets a maximum $175 reimbursement rate for emergency responders when patients are not transported to a hospital. The bill also requires reporting on changes to emergency medical responder scope of practice and updates eligibility for the expenditure restraint incentive program. These changes directly affect emergency medical service providers billing the Medical Assistance program.

SB 182 provides tuition and materials reimbursement for emergency medical responders and practitioners enrolled in technical college emergency medical services (EMS) programs. It requires technical colleges offering EMS programs to prioritize grant funds for expanding student enrollment access - either through direct program expansion or by contracting with districts for expansion services. The bill also updates program terminology throughout (replacing "course" with "program") to clarify educational standards. This directly affects EMS students, technical colleges, and the state's EMS workforce development system.