Healthcare

signed · Wisconsin · Senate Dec 10, 2025

SB 190: Relating to: ratification of the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact. (FE)

SB 190 ratifies Wisconsin's participation in the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, enabling respiratory therapists licensed in Wisconsin to practice in other participating states without obtaining new licenses. This bill directly affects respiratory care practitioners and healthcare facilities that employ them, as it establishes reciprocal licensing recognition across states. Key provisions amend Wisconsin statutes to recognize "compact privileges" for respiratory therapists certified under the compact, streamlining practice across state lines. The law requires the state medical examining board to appoint a commission to administer the compact, aligning Wisconsin with similar agreements for healthcare professionals.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves licensing barriers for respiratory therapists, enabling cross-state practice and improving access to care services.85% confidence

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 552: Relating to: funding for the birth defect prevention and monitoring system and making an appropriation. (FE)

SB 552 increases annual funding for Wisconsin's birth defect prevention and monitoring system from $95,000 to $500,000. It also authorizes 3.3 additional full-time staff positions at the Department of Health Services to maintain this system. The bill allocates an extra $405,000 for fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27 from the state health services budget. This directly affects the Department of Health Services, which will use the funds to strengthen birth defect monitoring and prevention efforts. The changes are purely fiscal, with no new policy requirements beyond the specified funding and staffing adjustments.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly increases state funding for public health program by $405k over two fiscal years, directly strengthening budget allocation for essential services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill increases funding for birth defect prevention system by $405,000 annually and adds staff positions to strengthen public health monitoring within healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 563: Relating to: requiring hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to implement policies to prevent exposure to surgical smoke in operating rooms. (FE)

AB 563 requires hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to implement policies preventing exposure to surgical smoke during procedures. It mandates the use of smoke evacuation systems (equipment capturing smoke at the source) in operating rooms for any surgery likely to generate surgical smoke - defined as gaseous byproducts from tools like lasers or scalpels. Exceptions allow providers to skip the system if they determine it's unnecessary for a specific procedure. The bill directly affects healthcare facilities and surgical staff by establishing a concrete safety standard for smoke exposure.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates smoke evacuation systems in operating rooms to prevent health hazards from surgical smoke, directly improving patient and provider safety in healthcare services.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates smoke evacuation systems to prevent occupational exposure, directly improving workplace safety for healthcare workers in operating rooms.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Workplace Safety

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 62: Relating to: health care costs omnibus, granting rule-making authority, making an appropriation, and providing a penalty. (FE)

AB 62 establishes a Prescription Drug Affordability Review Board to address prescription drug costs. The board, with members representing pharmaceutical companies, health insurers, healthcare providers, and the public, must meet quarterly and avoid conflicts of interest. Key provisions include creating a $500,000 annual grant program for healthcare providers to develop tools showing patients the cost of prescriptions (Section 601.415), launching a diabetes medication pilot project (Section 601.41), and repealing a section requiring copayments for certain Medicaid services (Section 7). This bill directly affects insurers, pharmacies, drug manufacturers, and healthcare providers who must disclose drug costs to patients.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $500,000 annually for healthcare cost transparency tools, directly funding a public service initiative under state budget management.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes Prescription Drug Affordability Review Board, funds cost transparency tools ($500k grants), and launches diabetes medication pilot to lower healthcare costs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Medicaid Prescription Drugs

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SJR 33: Relating to: declaration of the Economic Justice Bill of Rights.

SJR 33 is a Senate Joint Resolution that declares an "Economic Justice Bill of Rights" for the people of Wisconsin. This resolution outlines ten fundamental rights, including the right to a job that pays a living wage, adequately funded public education, affordable healthcare, and a clean and sustainable environment. It serves as a legislative declaration affirming these principles for all Wisconsinites, regardless of background.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExplicitly declares 'adequately funded public education' as a fundamental right in the Economic Justice Bill of Rights, directly advancing educational funding.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExplicitly declares 'a clean and sustainable environment' as a fundamental right, directly advancing environmental protection goals without ambiguity.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly declares 'affordable healthcare' as a fundamental right in its Economic Justice Bill of Rights, directly advancing healthcare access and affordability for Wisconsinites.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly declares right to 'a job that pays a living wage,' directly advancing worker compensation standards under Labor & Employment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Minimum Wage

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 261: Relating to: certification of surgical technologists.

AB 261 requires hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to only employ surgical technologists who hold national certification from an accredited body or meet specific exceptions (like prior employment before 2028, military training, or federal service). It creates new certification standards, including mandatory completion of an accredited educational program and national certification, with a 24-month temporary employment window for those finishing education. The law excludes certain practices (like cardiac radiology or dental auxiliaries) from its requirements and takes effect January 1, 2028. This directly affects healthcare facilities hiring surgical technologists and the professionals seeking those roles.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires national certification for surgical technologists, ensuring qualified staff to improve patient safety and care quality in healthcare settings.95% confidence

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 490: Relating to: implementing a suicide prevention program and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 490 creates a statewide suicide prevention program funded by an annual $250,000 appropriation. The program requires the Department of Health Services to implement public awareness campaigns, coordinate with community groups, and provide training for law enforcement, healthcare providers, schools, and others who interact with people at risk of suicide. It specifically targets at-risk groups including youth, elderly individuals, Native Americans, and rural residents through county-level initiatives, crisis service enhancements, and a centralized resource website. The bill also mandates annual reports to the legislature on program activities starting in 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $250,000 annual appropriation for suicide prevention program, directly funding public health services per budget topic.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds suicide prevention program via $250k appropriation, targeting mental health services for at-risk groups through public health initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Mental Health

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 243: Relating to: the age at which an infant is covered under the safe haven law.

SB 243 changes the age limit for safely surrendering infants under Wisconsin's safe haven law from 72 hours to 30 days. This means parents can now safely surrender a baby at a hospital or emergency facility within the first 30 days of life, instead of only the first 3 days. The bill updates three key statutes (48.195, 48.355, and 48.415) to reflect this extended timeframe, ensuring the surrender process aligns with the new age window. It directly affects parents seeking to relinquish custody safely and the child welfare system handling these surrenders.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExtends safe haven window to 30 days, enabling parents to access hospital care for infants, improving healthcare access for newborns.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 270: Relating to: a school psychologist loan program. (FE)

AB 270 establishes a state-funded loan program for graduate students pursuing school psychologist careers in Wisconsin. It provides up to $10,000 annually (maximum $30,000 total) for eligible Wisconsin residents enrolled at least half-time in state graduate programs leading to school psychologist licensure, requiring a 3.0 GPA. Loans carry a 5% interest rate, but 25% of the loan and interest is forgiven each year a recipient works full-time as a school psychologist in a public or private school within an urbanized area or a designated rural county. The program aims to support workforce development in school psychology by reducing financial barriers for students and incentivizing long-term employment in underserved educational settings.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesState-funded loan program allocates budget for school psychologist training, increasing public service funding without tax changes.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes state-funded loans for school psychologists, addressing workforce shortages and improving K-12 mental health support through financial incentives.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds school psychologist training to increase mental health professionals in schools, directly supporting mental health services under healthcare topic.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds graduate education for school psychologists with loan forgiveness tied to public/private school employment, strengthening workforce development in education sector.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Professional Licensing Workforce Development

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 115: Relating to: authorizing youth behavioral health program under the Medical Assistance program and granting rule-making authority.

AB 115 creates a new youth behavioral health program under Wisconsin's Medical Assistance program to coordinate care for individuals under 21 with complex behavioral health needs. The bill requires collaboration between the Department of Health Services, Children's Services, Education, and county agencies to provide specific services like mobile crisis response, home-based treatment, inpatient care, and substance use services. It mandates regional care coordination through community organizations or counties and grants the Department rule-making authority to set standards for providers. The program aims to keep families supported in communities while reducing reliance on institutional care, with funding tied to Medical Assistance reimbursement.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates new youth behavioral health program under Medical Assistance, expanding mental health services for under-21s through mandated care coordination and specific treatment options.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Mental Health

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