Healthcare

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 542: Relating to: dental provider network rental by insurance plans.

AB 542 requires dental insurance plans (like defined network plans or preferred provider plans) that rent their provider networks to disclose this practice to dentists. Specifically, insurers must notify dentists in writing or electronically within 45 days if their network is rented to another entity, including the name of the renting entity. The bill also mandates that any entity renting a dental network must honor the original contract terms (such as discounted rates) between the insurer and the dentist. This directly affects dentists, insurers, and third-party entities that rent dental provider networks, ensuring transparency and protecting contractual obligations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires insurers to disclose network rentals to dentists and maintain original contract terms, protecting provider access and rates under dental insurance coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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signed · Wisconsin · Assembly Apr 9, 2026

AB 253: Relating to: independence accounts. (FE)

This bill creates "independence accounts" allowing individuals to save up to $15,000 annually from their gross earnings without that money counting toward Medicaid asset limits. It specifically excludes assets acquired through inheritance when determining eligibility for benefits. The department must seek federal approval to implement this change, though the program would take effect if federal authorities approve. The bill directly affects people applying for or receiving Medicaid benefits in the state.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allows Medicaid recipients to save up to $15k annually without losing benefits, strengthening access to healthcare coverage by removing asset barriers for vulnerable populations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 434: Relating to: transparency and regulation of prior authorization requirements under health insurance plans. (FE)

SB 434 regulates prior authorization processes for health insurance plans by requiring greater transparency and standardizing procedures. It directly affects health insurers, self-insured employer plans, and utilization review entities (like insurance companies) that manage pre-approval for medical services. Key provisions include defining "prior authorization" and "adverse determination," mandating that adverse decisions be made by qualified healthcare providers (physicians, physician assistants, or nurse practitioners), and setting timeframes for non-urgent cases. The bill also establishes new requirements for notifying enrollees about coverage decisions. This focuses on clarifying the process for patients seeking covered treatments, not altering coverage benefits.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates transparency in prior authorization, requires decisions by qualified providers, and standardizes processes to improve patient access to care and protect rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Insurance

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signed · Wisconsin · Senate Jul 3, 2025

SB 232: Relating to: grants to child advocacy centers. (FE)

SB 232 creates annual state grants of $17,000 per child advocacy center in Wisconsin to support education, training, medical advice, and quality assurance for responding to child maltreatment cases. The bill specifically authorizes funding for existing centers in Milwaukee, Kenosha, Fox Valley, Marathon, Chippewa, Brown, Racine, Walworth, and Green counties, plus adds the Lakeshore Regional Center in Sheboygan County and a statewide "Child Advocacy Centers of Wisconsin" entity. These grants, drawn from a specific state appropriation, directly support the operational capacity of these centers to improve multidisciplinary child abuse response. The bill was enacted as 2025 Wisconsin Act 13 after approval by the Governor on July 2, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes $17,000 annual state grants for child advocacy centers, increasing public funding for essential child protection services.92% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds child advocacy centers for victim support in maltreatment cases, enhancing criminal justice response through medical/educational resources for abuse investigations.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds child advocacy centers providing medical advice and quality assurance for child maltreatment cases, directly supporting healthcare services for vulnerable populations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 262: Relating to: assisted living facility referral agencies and providing a penalty.

SB 262 requires referral agencies that connect prospective residents to assisted living facilities to disclose key financial details, including fixed referral fees paid by facilities, business relationships, and their website listing practices. It prohibits agencies from charging fees based on a resident's value or percentage of services and mandates written resident confirmation before charging facilities. Residents can terminate agency services at any time, including stopping the use of their personal information. Violations carry a $1,000 penalty per offense, directly affecting referral agencies, assisted living facilities, and prospective residents.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires referral agencies to disclose fees and prevent exploitative practices, protecting residents' rights in assisted living access - advancing patient protections in healthcare services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

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signed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 27, 2026

AB 668: Relating to: reports on the competency of involuntarily committed individuals to refuse medication or treatment based upon an examination by an advanced practice registered nurse.

AB 668 amends Wisconsin law to allow advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) with psychiatric expertise to conduct examinations determining whether involuntarily committed individuals can refuse medication or treatment. This change directly affects individuals in psychiatric commitment under specific legal standards who refuse care, as it expands the pool of qualified professionals (previously limited to physicians) who can provide the required medical certification. The bill requires any motion to override a patient's refusal to include a written report signed by an APRN or physician stating the individual is not competent to refuse treatment or that treatment is necessary to prevent serious harm. The amendment takes effect September 1, 2026, after a temporary transition period allowing physician-only assessments until that date. This creates a new pathway for competency determinations while maintaining existing court hearing requirements.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands mental health evaluation access by allowing APRNs to certify competency, improving patient access to psychiatric care under commitment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Mental Health

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 607: Relating to: housing and homelessness; emergency rental assistance program; indigent civil legal services; workforce development; community action agencies; poverty reports; mental health; economic security; reimbursement for nonemergency medical transportation services; urban mass transit aid; lead exposure and abatement services; lead service line replacement; providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures; granting rule-making authority; and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 607 creates new programs and modifies existing ones to address housing, homelessness, and related services in Wisconsin. It establishes a lead service line replacement program for water systems, creates an annual review process for homelessness services, and funds emergency rental assistance for households earning under 80% of county median income. The bill allocates $43 million for indigent civil legal services, $5 million for emergency rental assistance (2026-27), and $2.5 million for housing grants. These provisions directly affect low-income residents, homeless individuals, and service providers by expanding access to housing support, legal aid, and water infrastructure improvements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $43M for indigent legal services, $5M for emergency rental assistance, and $2.5M for housing programs, explicitly funding public services under budget appropriations.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly includes reimbursement for nonemergency medical transportation services, improving healthcare access and aligning with support indicators.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAllocates $5M for emergency rental assistance (2026-27) for households under 80% median income and $43M for indigent civil legal services related to housing, directly advancing affordable housing access.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly funds workforce development programs, directly advancing employment standards and worker skills training per its title and allocation of $43M for related services.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly allocates funds for 'reimbursement for nonemergency medical transportation services' and 'urban mass transit aid', directly advancing transportation services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Homelessness Renters Tenant Rights Workforce Development Public Transit

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 68: Relating to: the prescription drug monitoring program. (FE)

AB 68 modifies Wisconsin's prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) by requiring healthcare practitioners to review a patient's PDMP records before prescribing controlled substances. This applies to all prescribers of such medications and expires on April 1, 2030. The bill also extends the deadline for certain program requirements from October 30, 2025, to October 30, 2030. It does not create new obligations but adjusts existing review timelines for the PDMP. The bill was referred to committee but ultimately "laid on the table" in March 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires prescribers to review PDMP records before prescribing controlled substances, aiming to prevent drug abuse and promote safe prescribing practices, directly supporting public health and patient safety in healthcare.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 510: Relating to: use of certain statements as evidence in prosecution for prostitution.

AB 510 prevents law enforcement or medical providers from using statements about prostitution as evidence in court if a person contacts them to report another crime (like theft or assault) or seek medical care. It applies directly to individuals seeking help for non-prostitution issues, including those reporting on behalf of others. The bill prohibits using any prostitution-related statements obtained during these unrelated contacts in prosecution for prostitution or attempted prostitution. This policy change ensures that people accessing emergency services or reporting other crimes cannot face additional charges based on their initial contact. The bill is currently pending in the Judiciary Committee after its October 2025 introduction.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents using prostitution statements made during unrelated contacts (e.g., reporting crimes) as evidence in prostitution prosecutions, protecting individuals from unnecessary criminalization and aligning with civil rights reform in criminal just...95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects patient access to medical care by preventing use of unrelated prostitution statements in court, encouraging reporting of crimes/seeking care without fear of prosecution.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Human Trafficking Law Enforcement

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 498: Relating to: automated external defibrillators in child care centers and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 498 provides $1 million in biennial funding to help licensed child care centers purchase and maintain automated external defibrillators (AEDs). The bill creates a grant program administered by the Department of Children and Families, allowing centers to apply for funding to cover AED costs. To qualify, centers must contribute at least 33% of the grant amount in matching funds. This policy directly affects licensed child care centers by making AEDs more accessible for emergency cardiac care.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides $1M biennial appropriation for AED grants in child care centers, directly funding public health infrastructure under state budget.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds AEDs in child care centers for emergency cardiac care, directly improving access to life-saving medical equipment in public health settings.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

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