Healthcare (Healthcare Workforce)

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 432: Relating to: transparency and regulation of prior authorization requirements under health insurance plans. (FE)

AB 432 regulates prior authorization processes for health insurance plans in Wisconsin. It requires insurance companies to follow specific transparency rules when denying coverage for medical services (called "adverse determinations"), mandating that these decisions be made by qualified health providers like physicians or nurse practitioners under medical directors' oversight. The bill defines key terms like "prior authorization" (pre-approval for services) and "urgent health care service" (requiring faster decisions), and sets deadlines for non-urgent cases. It directly affects health insurance plans, self-insured employer plans, and enrollees who seek covered services. The law aims to make the approval process clearer and more timely for patients.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates transparent prior authorization processes with qualified providers, reducing arbitrary denials and improving patient access to covered services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Insurance

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 76: Relating to: creating an individual income tax deduction for certain income earned by an individual from the practice of psychiatry or from providing psychiatric or mental health services. (FE)

AB 76 creates a state income tax deduction for Wisconsin psychiatrists and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners. It allows eligible professionals to deduct up to $100,000 annually from their taxable income if they practice outside medically underserved areas, or up to $200,000 if they work in such areas (as defined by statute). The deduction applies only to income earned from their specific practice in Wisconsin and is limited to 5 consecutive taxable years, starting within 2 years of beginning or returning to practice in the state. To qualify, practitioners must be licensed and certified as specified in the bill, with the higher deduction requiring service in designated underserved regions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates tax deduction for psychiatrists, reducing taxable income and providing targeted tax relief, aligning with support indicators for Budget & Taxes.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides tax deductions for psychiatrists/mental health professionals to encourage practice, particularly in underserved areas, directly supporting mental health service access and provider retention.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Healthcare Workforce Mental Health

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 295: Relating to: allowing certified advanced practice nurse prescribers to engage in the practice of radiography.

This bill would permit certified advanced practice nurses (who prescribe medications) to perform radiography services, such as X-rays, as part of their existing practice. It creates a new statutory provision explicitly expanding their scope to include radiography without requiring separate radiography certification. The change directly affects these nurse prescribers, allowing them to conduct medical imaging procedures in healthcare settings. The bill was introduced in 2025 and referred to the Health committee for review.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands nurse prescribers' scope to include radiography without separate certification, improving access to medical imaging services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 646: 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.

SB 646 amends Wisconsin statute 51.61(1)(g)3 to allow reports assessing whether involuntarily committed individuals can refuse mental health treatment to be based on examinations by advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) with psychiatric expertise, not just physicians. This directly affects individuals in involuntary mental health commitments and expands the healthcare professionals authorized to certify treatment necessity and competency to refuse care. The bill requires such reports to include a signed statement from the APRN or physician confirming the individual needs treatment and lacks competence to refuse it. The change takes effect September 1, 2026, after a transitional period allowing either physicians or qualified APRNs to issue these reports until that date. The law maintains existing court hearing requirements for treatment decisions but broadens who can provide the foundational medical assessment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands mental health assessment authority to APRNs, increasing access to competency evaluations for involuntarily committed patients under healthcare services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Mental Health

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 639: Relating to: naturopathic doctors. (FE)

AB 639 expands the scope of practice for naturopathic doctors in Wisconsin. It specifically allows them to provide "expedited partner therapy" for sexually transmitted infections (chlamydia, gonorrhea, or trichomoniasis) under new section 466.052, enabling them to prescribe antibiotics to sexual partners of infected patients. The bill also requires naturopathic doctors to maintain malpractice insurance (with limited exceptions for government employees) under amended section 466.05(3). Additionally, it updates prescription drug and controlled substance regulations to explicitly include naturopathic doctors in relevant statutes (e.g., 961.23(6)). These changes directly affect naturopathic doctors and patients seeking STI treatment in the state.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands naturopathic doctors' scope to provide STI partner therapy, improving patient access to timely antibiotic treatment for chlamydia/gonorrhea.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing Prescription Drugs

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 199: Relating to: reimbursement of emergency services under the Medical Assistance program when a patient is not transported, reporting on changes to the scope of practice of emergency medical responders and emergency medical services practitioners, and eligibility for the expenditure restraint incentive program. (FE)

AB 199 changes reimbursement rates for ambulance services under Wisconsin's Medical Assistance program (state Medicaid) when patients are not transported to a facility. Starting January 1, 2027, the state will increase payments for "ambulance response and treatment, no transport" (code A0998) to match the rate for transport services (code A0429), directly benefiting ambulance providers. The bill also requires the Department of Health Services to annually report by September 15 on how national changes to emergency medical responder scope of practice may affect training in Wisconsin. These provisions specifically impact ambulance service providers, state health officials, and the Medical Assistance program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases state Medicaid reimbursement rates for ambulance services, directly raising government spending on emergency medical services under the Medical Assistance program.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases Medicaid reimbursement rates for ambulance services, directly funding emergency care providers under public health program.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Government Spending Healthcare Workforce Medicaid Medical Licensing Tags Public Safety

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 282: Relating to: membership on the Board of Nursing.

SB 282 amends Wisconsin's Board of Nursing membership requirements. It specifies that the board must include 3 licensed registered nurses (RNs), 1 licensed practical nurse (LPN), 1 certified advanced practice registered nurse prescriber, 1 nurse educator, 1 additional RN or LPN, and 2 public members - all appointed for staggered 4-year terms. All nursing members must have graduated from an accredited program. The changes take effect September 1, 2026, directly affecting how the Board of Nursing is structured and who serves on it.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareSpecifies nursing board membership requirements to ensure qualified representation, strengthening regulatory oversight of nursing practice.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 675: Relating to: noncompete clauses for medical practitioners.

AB 675 prohibits noncompete clauses that restrict medical practitioners from working for more than 24 consecutive months after beginning employment. It also makes all noncompete agreements void if a medical practitioner’s employment is terminated by their employer. The bill applies to physicians, physician assistants, psychologists, and advanced practice nurses (including certified nurse prescribers and registered nurses). New or modified employment contracts after the law’s effective date must comply with these restrictions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits noncompete clauses for medical practitioners, improving workforce mobility and patient access to care. Directly strengthens healthcare access by removing employment restrictions.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits noncompete clauses restricting medical practitioners' job mobility after termination, directly protecting workers' rights to change employment without undue restrictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce

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