AB 753 creates a state program to provide matching grants to Wisconsin counties for investments they make in their healthcare, public health, and care provider workforce. Counties can receive state funds equal to their previous fiscal year's spending on recruitment, retention, mental health, trauma care, and wellness programs for workers in health care, public health, child care, and long-term care. The grant amount for each county is capped at $1.11 multiplied by the county's population. This bill establishes the funding mechanism and sets the maximum grant level, requiring the state to appropriate funds for these matching grants annually.
AB 754 requires most health insurance plans and disability policies covering preventive care to cover home test kits for sexually transmitted diseases (STIs), including HIV. It mandates coverage when a healthcare provider deems the test medically necessary and orders it directly or through a standing order. The law defines "home test kits" as products meeting CDC or FDA guidelines, allowing self-collection outside clinical settings. This applies to plans covering primary care or preventive services, including laboratory processing costs for approved kits.
This bill creates a state income tax credit for out-of-pocket medical expenses related to in vitro fertilization (IVF), including consultations, procedures, and prescribed drugs. Individuals filing state taxes can claim up to $5,000 annually in eligible costs, but only if their income is below $100,000 (single or married filing separately) or $200,000 (married filing jointly). The credit excludes insurance-covered costs, travel, lodging, and expenses paid through health savings accounts or similar programs. It applies to tax years beginning after December 31, 2025, and requires claims to be filed with the state tax return.
AB 773 requires correctional facilities to provide specific care for incarcerated pregnant and postpartum individuals (within 6 weeks of birth). It prohibits unnecessary restraints on these individuals except in extreme safety circumstances, mandating written documentation and staff training. Facilities must offer pregnancy testing, STI/HIV screening, continuing medication, doula/lactation support (if available at no cost), mental health assessments, and breastfeeding supplies. The bill directly affects all pregnant or postpartum people held in state prisons or jails, ensuring access to healthcare and support services during incarceration.
AB 799 establishes a voluntary, confidential health professional assistance program for licensed health care providers (like doctors and nurses) in Wisconsin who may have conditions affecting their ability to practice safely. The bill requires credentialing boards to participate in the program for specific licenses, charges a $70 fee per participating credential (paid with license fees), and mandates the program to provide science-based support, including evaluation and treatment. It protects participants from civil liability and ensures confidentiality, while allowing colleagues or boards to report concerns without legal risk. The program operates through a contracted entity meeting specific qualifications, focusing on early intervention rather than disciplinary action.
AB 755 requires health insurance plans to cover sterilization procedures and related patient education/counseling services, just like other contraceptive benefits. This directly affects health insurers and patients seeking these specific reproductive health services. The bill amends existing law to explicitly include sterilization procedures and counseling under the same coverage requirements applied to other contraceptive services. It applies to new policy years beginning after the effective date, with some exceptions for collective bargaining agreements.
AB 774 prohibits health insurers and pharmacy benefit managers from requiring step therapy protocols for certain cancer treatments. Specifically, it bans forcing patients to try less expensive drugs first when a doctor prescribes a drug approved by the FDA for metastatic cancer (cancer that has spread) or a cancer-associated condition (symptoms or side effects from cancer treatment that worsen health if untreated). The ban applies only when the drug meets three evidence-based criteria: FDA approval, alignment with best medical practices, and support from peer-reviewed research. This directly affects patients with advanced cancer and their insurers, ensuring access to prescribed treatments without unnecessary barriers.
SB 755 requires correctional facilities to provide specific healthcare and support services to incarcerated people who are pregnant or within six weeks postpartum. It bans unnecessary physical restraints during pregnancy and the immediate postpartum period, mandating staff training on these requirements. Facilities must offer pregnancy testing, STI/HIV screening, continuing medication, educational materials on parenting, and access to doula or lactation support services. They must also provide mental health assessments, breastfeeding supplies, and opportunities to express milk to maintain milk supply. These requirements apply to all state correctional facilities under the law.
AB 802 provides $600,000 in one-time funding to create an online dashboard tracking healthcare claims data, to be managed by the Wisconsin Health Information Organization (WHIO). It also allocates $1.38 million for the 2025-26 fiscal year and $1.56 million for 2026-27 to cover increased operational costs for WHIO. The bill directly affects WHIO, which will use the funds to build the dashboard and onboard new healthcare payer data. This is a funding measure focused on improving data accessibility, not changing healthcare policies or regulations.
AB 718 regulates the prescription, use, and disposal of abortion-inducing drugs. It requires physicians to schedule a patient follow-up within 7 days after prescribing such drugs and provide a catch kit and medical waste bag for proper disposal. The bill also holds drug manufacturers responsible for safely disposing of abortion-related waste and mitigating endocrine disruptors (chemicals interfering with hormones), imposing fines up to $20,000 per violation. Additionally, it mandates wastewater treatment plants to test for endocrine disruptors. The law takes effect on May 1, 2026.
