Healthcare

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SB 959: Relating to: requirements for the use of a memory care designation by community-based residential facilities. (FE)

SB 959 sets new requirements for community-based residential facilities that use the "memory care" designation in their name, advertising, or communications. It requires these facilities to serve residents with irreversible dementia (like Alzheimer’s) and provide staff with comprehensive dementia care training, including dementia basics, person-centered care strategies, communication techniques, non-drug behavioral interventions, and supporting independence. Facilities must complete initial training for administrators and resident care staff by July 1, 2027, and provide annual refresher training on these topics. Existing facilities using "memory care" before July 1, 2027, must comply with these rules by that date to continue the designation.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates dementia care training and service standards for memory care facilities, improving patient access and care quality for dementia patients, aligning with healthcare strengthening indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1004: Relating to: ratification of the Interstate Massage Compact. (FE)

SB 1004 ratifies the Interstate Massage Compact (IMpact), enabling licensed massage therapists to practice across state lines in participating states without needing separate licenses. It creates an interstate commission and defines key terms like "multistate license" (allowing therapists to practice in compact states) and "authorization to practice" (for license holders from other compact states). The bill also updates licensing rules to prevent employment discrimination based on certain criminal convictions when granting multistate licenses and adjusts fingerprinting requirements for credentialing. This directly affects licensed massage therapists, the state credentialing board, and healthcare providers seeking cross-state practice opportunities.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRatifies compact enabling cross-state practice for massage therapists, improving patient access to health services and supporting health professionals.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentPrevents employment discrimination based on criminal records in licensing, directly supporting fair labor practices and workers' rights within employment standards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Employment Discrimination Professional Licensing Tags Licensing

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1014: Relating to: expanding the Wisconsin deflection initiative and making an appropriation. (FE)

SB 1014 expands Wisconsin's existing deflection initiative by providing grants to current participating sites during 2025-27. The bill allows grants for hiring staff, contracting vendors for evaluations, or acquiring care coordination technology that meets legal privacy standards. It increases annual funding by $400,000 for two years and adds $107,100 to support an additional staff position for the Department of Justice. This directly affects current deflection initiative sites, the Department of Justice, and qualified technology vendors.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases state appropriations by $400k/year for deflection initiative grants and adds $107k for staff, directly funding program expansion.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands deflection initiative with increased funding for staff, technology, and evaluations, promoting diversion from incarceration to treatment - aligning with criminal justice reform goals to reduce recidivism and improve rehabilitation.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands deflection initiative with $400k+ funding for healthcare staff, care coordination tech, and program support, directly advancing service access and infrastructure.92% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds care coordination technology meeting legal privacy standards, directly advancing data privacy protections in technology use.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1054: Relating to: a Medical Assistance coordination working group. (FE)

SB 1054 creates a Medical Assistance coordination working group to improve statewide program coordination and recipient experience. The working group, requiring specific members including department staff, resource centers, tribal bodies, legislators, healthcare providers, and a recipient, must convene by June 1, 2026. It will study the program's coordination and recipient experience following changes from P.L. 119-21, then submit a report to the department and legislature within seven months. The bill directly affects Medical Assistance recipients and the agencies managing the program, focusing on process improvement rather than altering benefits or eligibility.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates working group to improve healthcare program coordination and recipient experience, aligning with support indicators for enhanced service delivery.85% confidence

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Jul 8, 2026

SB 1001: Relating to: the establishment of a family and medical leave insurance program; family leave to care for a family member and for the active duty of a family member; the employers that must allow an employee to take family or medical leave; allowing a local government to adopt ordinances requiring employers to provide leave benefits; providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures; providing an exemption from rule-making procedures; granting rule-making authority; making an appropriation; and providing a penalty. (FE)

SB 1001 establishes a state-run family and medical leave insurance program requiring employers with 50+ employees to provide up to 14 weeks of paid leave annually for qualifying reasons like caring for a newborn, a seriously ill family member, or a family member on active military duty. The bill creates a dedicated trust fund financed through employee and employer contributions to cover leave benefits and amends statutes to define key terms like "family member" and "serious health condition." It also allows local governments to adopt stricter leave requirements and exempts the program from standard rule-making procedures. This policy directly affects employees seeking leave for family or medical needs and employers meeting the 50-employee threshold.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes payroll tax-funded trust fund for leave program, making an appropriation to cover benefits and requiring employer/employee contributions.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes paid medical leave for serious health conditions, requiring employer contributions to cover care for family members or personal medical needs, directly improving access to healthcare services.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEstablishes paid family leave requiring employer contributions, expanding worker benefits and protecting rights to care for family/medical needs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Paid Leave

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Apr 6, 2026

AB 1044: Relating to: grants for patient lift devices and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 1044 creates a state grant program allocating $300,000 for the 2025-26 fiscal year to help adult family homes, community-based residential facilities, nursing homes, and residential care apartment complexes purchase patient lift devices. These devices must be state-approved, allow independent or staff-assisted operation, and mechanically lift a person. Facilities receiving grants must report usage data, with up to $100,000 of the appropriation reserved for collecting and analyzing this information.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $300,000 state appropriation for patient lift device grants to healthcare facilities, funding essential services per bill's explicit funding language.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $300k in grants for patient lift devices in healthcare facilities, improving patient mobility and safety in care settings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1084: Relating to: dental services for pregnant persons under the Medical Assistance program. (FE)

AB 1084 expands dental coverage for pregnant individuals enrolled in Wisconsin's Medical Assistance program (Medicaid). The bill requires that pregnant recipients referred for dental care must be seen by a dentist or dental therapist within 30 days of referral. It defines "dental therapist" as a licensed professional under existing law and ensures referrals for basic dental services include this option. This directly affects pregnant Medical Assistance recipients who need dental care, guaranteeing timely access to covered services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicaid dental coverage for pregnant people with 30-day referral guarantee, improving access to care under Medical Assistance program.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Apr 15, 2026

SB 1020: Relating to: grants for patient lift devices and making an appropriation. (FE)

SB 1020 creates a $300,000 grant program to help specific healthcare facilities purchase patient lift devices. Eligible facilities include adult family homes, nursing homes, community-based residential facilities, and residential care apartment complexes. Grants cover devices approved by the department that can be operated independently by residents or with staff assistance, and mechanically lift people. Recipients must report usage data, with up to $100,000 of the appropriation reserved for data collection and analysis.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $300,000 in state funds for healthcare facility grants, directly increasing budgetary spending on essential services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $300,000 in grants for patient lift devices in healthcare facilities, directly funding equipment to improve patient safety and care access in nursing homes and residential care settings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1077: Relating to: health insurance coverage of prosthetic limbs and custom orthotic braces. (FE)

SB 1077 requires health insurance plans - including self-insured plans operated by state/local governments - to cover prosthetic limbs and custom orthotic braces when medically necessary for daily activities, job functions, or bathing. It mandates coverage equal to federal standards (42 USC 1395k-1395m), including materials, repairs, and replacement without lifetime restrictions if repairs exceed 60% of replacement costs. The law applies to all covered individuals (enrollees in private plans or government self-insured plans) and requires insurers to provide written explanations for coverage denials based on medical necessity. It also ensures access to at least two in-network providers for these devices.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for prosthetics/orthotics without lifetime limits, expanding patient access to medically necessary devices per federal standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1071: Relating to: testing and labeling related to toxic heavy metals in baby food and providing a penalty. (FE)

AB 1071 requires baby food manufacturers selling in the state to test for arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury (toxic heavy metals) and publicly disclose results. If tested, manufacturers must post metal levels, testing dates, and product details on their website with a QR code on the product label linking to this information. If not tested, they must clearly state this on the label and website with a QR code. The law applies to all baby food (including infant formula) sold in the state, with violations subject to a $100 daily penalty per product. It aims to provide consumers with transparent safety information about heavy metals in products for children under age 2.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates testing for toxic heavy metals in baby food to protect infant health, aligning with public health safety standards under healthcare policy.85% confidence

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