Health
Care
Families or individuals with disabilities, direct care workers, and low-income people have difficulty getting health care because of the lack or high cost of insurance.
- About the issue
- Why does this matter to people with disabilities?
- Are there any proposals that would make a change in this issue?
- Who can I contact with my questions?
- Background Information For This Issue
About the issue: (Top of page)
A lot of people across the nation do not have any health care insurance or have insurance that does not cover their needs. Many people can only get health insurance if they can afford to pay high premiums or deductibles. Without affordable and comprehensive health care insurance, it can be very difficult to get the right care for a disability or chronic condition. Because of the gaps in health care coverage, advocates argue that the system is broken.
Many families and people with disabilities are forced to rely on Medicaid or BadgerCare because private insurance is not available or affordable. People with disabilities who want to work often cannot because they would loose Medicaid coverage. Even with Medicaid coverage, people with disabilities do not always get their health care needs met.
Medicaid does not always pay doctors, dentists, therapists, hospitals, and other providers what it really costs to provide services. Providers can refuse to serve people on Medicaid. This is especially true in the area of dental care, where people often have to travel outside their own cities to find a dentist that accepts Medicaid. Providers that do treat people on Medicaid often charge people with good insurance more to make-up the funding gap and stay in business.
Another concern is the amount of money wasted in the current system. People without health insurance are more likely to use emergency rooms for their primary care. Emergency services are very expensive.
Why does this matter to people with disabilities? (Top of page)
Access to health care services is extremely important to the well-being and quality of life for people with disabilities. If people cannot get the health care services they need, it affects every area of their lives. Lack of comprehensive insurance also limits people’s choices. They cannot work and risk loosing Medicaid, or they can work only for certain employers that can afford to cover their health insurance.
People with disabilities are impacted when their direct service workers cannot get good health insurance coverage. One reason the turnover for direct service workers is high is because many agencies cannot provide affordable, comprehensive health care.
Are there any proposals that would make a change in this issue? (Top of page)
- Assembly Bill 16 - Rare Disease Drug Coverage
This bill requires health insurance policies and plans that cover prescription drugs to cover any drug that is prescribed for an insured by a physician for the treatment of a rare disease or condition, as defined in federal law. [More on Assembly Bill 16 ]
Outcome: Introduced and referred to committee, but no action was taken by the end of the session. - Assembly Bill 24 - Depreciation Calculation
This bill prohibits DHFS from adding any amounts claimed for depreciation to an individual's net taxable farm or self-employment income for purposes of determining whether an individual meets the income limits for BadgerCare or for MA under the AFDC-relat [More on Assembly Bill 24 ]
Outcome: Introduced and sent to committee, but no action was taken by the end of the session. - Assembly Bill 47 - Health Savings Account
This is a companion bill to Senate Bill 18. It creates a non-refundable individual income tax credit for certain amounts relating to health savings accounts that may be deducted from, or are exempt from, federal income taxes. [More on Assembly Bill 47 ]
Outcome: Introduced in the Assembly, hearing held, amended in health committee and passed out of committee, sent to rules committee, amended and passed out of committee. Passed by the Assembly and sent to the Senate, where it failed to get out of committee. - Assembly Bill 94 - Publicly Financed Health Care
Establishes a publicly-financed health care system for Wisconsin residents starting in 2010; creates the Dept. of Health Planning and Finance; creates a Health Policy Board and regional consumer health councils. [More on Assembly Bill 94 ]
Outcome: Referred to the Assembly Health and Healthcare Reform Committee. Never left the committee. - Assembly Bill 133 - Hearing Aids
Requires health insurance coverage of hearing aids and cochlear implants for infants and young children under five years of age. [More on Assembly Bill 133 ]
Outcome: Had a hearing but failed to get out of committee. This issue was addressed by SB 88. See SB 88 for a status update on this issue. - Assembly Bill 150 - Epilepsy Drugs
This is a companion bill to Senate Bill 71. This bill prohibits a pharmacist from substituting an equivalent drug for treating epilepsy or for treating convulsions, unless the pharmacist obtains and documents the consent of the prescribing practitioner a [More on Assembly Bill 150 ]
Outcome: AB 150 was introduced in the Assembly and referred to committee but no action was taken. SB 71 (companion bill) passed the Senate and was referred to the Assembly, where it had a hearing but never got out of committee. - Assembly Bill 185 - Birth Defects
This bill makes changes to the birth defect prevention and surveillance system. Among other changes it allows DHFS to develop primary preventive strategies to decrease the occurrence of birth defects. [More on Assembly Bill 185 ]
Outcome: Hearing held in the Assembly. Passed out of committee and the full Assembly. Referred to the Senate. Hearing held and passed out of committee. Referred to Joint Finance Committee. Failed to get out of that committee. - Assembly Bill 213 - Partnership Plan
This bill requires the state Dept. of Health and Family Services (DHFS) to submit to the secretary of the federal Dept. of Health and Human Services an amendment to the state's MA plan that satisfies the requirements of the State Long-Term Care Partnershi [More on Assembly Bill 213 ]
Outcome: Hearing held in the Assembly. Failed to get out of the Aging and Long Term Care Committee. - Assembly Bill 237 - Soft Drink Tax
This bill creates a tax on the sale at wholesale of soft drinks sold in this state and creates the dental access trust fund. The revenue generated from the tax is put into the dental access trust fund. Moneys put into the dental access trust fund are us [More on Assembly Bill 237 ]
Outcome: Referred to the Assembly Health and Healthcare Reform Committee. Failed to get out of committee. - Assembly Bill 279 - Protective Placements
This is a companion bill to Senate bill 153. It makes minor changes to correct incorrect references, etc. to 2005 Wisconsin Acts 264, 387, and 388. These Acts addressed protective placements and protective services, involuntary administration of psycho [More on Assembly Bill 279 ]
Outcome: This bill was passed by both houses and signed into law in early January 2008. It became Act 45. - Assembly Bill 298 - Assisted Suicide
This bill permits an individual who is of sound mind, is not incapacitated, is at least 18 years of age, is a resident of Wisconsin, and has a terminal disease to request voluntarily, in writing, medication from his or her attending physician for the purp [More on Assembly Bill 298 ]
Outcome: Referred to the Assembly committee onJudiciary and Ethics. Failed to get out of committee. - Assembly Bill 392 - Health Care Coverage
This bill would allow certain small employers the ability to have its employees covered under any health care plan offered to state employees. [More on Assembly Bill 392 ]
Outcome: Referred to the Assembly committee on Insurance. Failed to get out of committee. - Assembly Bill 394 - Health Savings Accounts - HIRSP
This bill provides a health savings account option for certain people under the Health Insurance Risk-Sharing Plan (HIRSP). [More on Assembly Bill 394 ]
Outcome: Hearing held in the Assembly. Failed to get out of the Insurance Committee. - Assembly Bill 417 - Autism Insurance
This bill requires health insurance policies and self-insured governmental and school district health plans to cover the cost of treatment for autism, Asperger's syndrome, and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified if the treatment is pr [More on Assembly Bill 417 ]
Outcome: No action was taken on this bill. This issue was addressed by SB 178. See that bill for a status update. - Assembly Bill 430 - Tax Exemption for Nonprescription Drugs
This bill creates a sales tax exemption for nonprescription drugs. [More on Assembly Bill 430 ]
Outcome: Referred to Assembly committee on Ways and Means. Failed to get out of committee. - Assembly Bill 509 - Inpatient Reimbursement Requirement
This bill would change the inpatient facility reimbursement requirements of counties for their residents with mental illness, developmental disabilities, alcoholic, and other drug dependencies. Currently, counties must pay for the full cost of care, but [More on Assembly Bill 509 ]
Outcome: Referred to Assembly committee on Health and Healthcare Reform. Failed to get out of committee. - Assembly Bill 691 - Marriage Penalty
This bill would allow a single person who receives Medical Assistance (MA) under the medically needy category and then marries to have their MA eligiblity determined as if they were still single. It would disregard the income and assets of the spouse. [More on Assembly Bill 691 ]
Outcome: Failed to get out of the Assembly committee on Health and Healthcare Reform. - Assembly Bill 901 - Autism Services
This bill provides over $6 million in the current fiscal year for the autism benefit under the Medical Assistance program. These funds would eliminate the current waiting list for intensive treatment. The bill also requires a treatment plan with appropr [More on Assembly Bill 901 ]
Outcome: Passed the full Assembly and sent to the Senate. It failed to get out of the Senate committee on Health, Human Services, Insurance, and Job Creation. - Senate Bill 3 - Autism Insurance
This bill requires health insurance policies to cover the cost of treatment for someone diagnosed with autism, Aspergers syndrome, or a pervasive developmental disorder if the treatment is provided by a psychiatrist, a psychologist, a social worker or a [More on Senate Bill 3 ]
- Senate Bill 18 - Health Savings Accounts
This is a companion bill to Assembly Bill 47. It creates a non-refundable individual income tax credit for certain amounts relating to health savings accounts that may be deducted from, or are exempt from, federal income taxes. [More on Senate Bill 18 ]
Outcome: Failed to get out of the Senate committee on Health and Human Services. - Senate Bill 32 - Nursing Home Diversions
This bill eliminates the current limit on the number of persons (150) who meet MA level of care requirements and are diverted from entry into a nursing home and for whom an enhanced rate of payment for MA services may be made under CIP II. [More on Senate Bill 32 ]
Outcome: Failed to get out of the Seante committee on Public Health, Senior Issues, Long Term Care, and Privacy. - Senate Bill 40 - Biennial Budget
This bill is Gov. Doyle's proposed budget. It covers all state spending and revenue. [More on Senate Bill 40 ]
Outcome: This bill was signed into law on 10-26-07 and became Act 20. - Senate Bill 51 - Publicly Financed Health Care
Establishes a publicly-financed health care system for Wisconsin residents starting in 2010; creates the Dept. of Health Planning and Finance; creates a Health Policy Board and regional consumer health councils. [More on Senate Bill 51 ]
Outcome: Three hearings held. Failed to get out of the Senate committee on Health and Human Services. - Senate Bill 66 - Farmer Health Insurance
This bill would allow farmers to purchase health care coverage through the Group Insurance Board. [More on Senate Bill 66 ]
Outcome: Failed to get out of the Senate committee on Health and Human Services. - Senate Bill 71 - Epilepsy Drugs
This bill prohibits a pharmacist from substituting an equivalent drug for treating epilepsy or for treating convulsions, unless the pharmacist obtains and documents the consent of the prescribing practitioner and the patient or the patient's parent, spous [More on Senate Bill 71 ]
Outcome: Had a Senate hearing, passed out of committee, and passed the Senate. It was referred to the Assembly where it had a hearing but never got out of committee. - Senate Bill 87 - Insurance Deduction
This bill creates an individual income tax deduction for 100 percent of the amount paid for a medical insurance policy that covers the individual, his or her spouse, and the individual's dependents if the individual's employer pays a portion of the cost o [More on Senate Bill 87 ]
Outcome: Referred to Joint Committee on Tax Exemptions. Failed to get out of committee. - Senate Bill 88 - Hearing Aids and Cochlear Implants
Requires health insurance coverage of hearing aids and cochlear implants for infants and young children under five years of age. [More on Senate Bill 88 ]
Outcome: Had a Senate hearing, passed out of committee, and passed the Senate. It was referred to the Assembly where it had a hearing, was amended in committee, passed out of committee, but never had a vote by the full Assembly. - Senate Bill 114 - Partnership Plan
This bill requires the state Dept. of Health and Family Services (DHFS) to submit to the secretary of the federal Dept. of Health and Human Services an amendment to the state's MA plan that satisfies the requirements of the State Long-Term Care Partnershi [More on Senate Bill 114 ]
Outcome: Failed to get out of Senate committee on Public Health, Senior Issues, Long Term Care, and Privacy. - Senate Bill 117 - Soft Drink Tax
This bill would tax the sale of soft drinks and soft drink syrups at the wholesale and manufacturing points. This tax would create a dental access trust fund. This fund would be used to increase fees paid to dentists serving patients using Medical Assis [More on Senate Bill 117 ]
Outcome: Failed to get out of Senate committee on Health and Human Services. - Senate Bill 144 - MA Eligibility Changes
This bill makes a number of changes to assets and divestment rules to conform Wisconsin law to federal law when determining eligibility for Medical Assistance (MA). [More on Senate Bill 144 ]
Outcome: Failed to get out of the Senate committee on Health and Human Services. - Senate Bill 151 - Assisted Suicide
This bill permits an individual who is of sound mind, is not incapacitated, is at least 18 years of age, is a resident of Wisconsin, and has a terminal disease to request voluntarily, in writing, medication from his or her attending physician for the purp [More on Senate Bill 151 ]
Outcome: Public hearing held. Failed to get out of the Senate's Public Health, Senior Issues, Long Term Care, and Privacy committee. - Senate Bill 153 - Protective Services
This bill makes minor changes to correct incorrect references, etc. to 2005 Wisconsin Acts 264, 387, and 388. These Acts addressed protective placements and protective services, involuntary administration of psychotropic medication, guardianships, conse [More on Senate Bill 153 ]
Outcome: This bill passed both houses and was signed into law. It became Act 45 in early January 2008. - Senate Bill 178 - Autism Insurance
This bill requires health insurance policies and self-insured governmental and school district health plans to cover the cost of treatment for autism, Asperger's syndrome, and pervasive developmental disorders if the treatment is provided by a qualified [More on Senate Bill 178 ]
Outcome: Had a Senate hearing, passed out of committee, was amended, and passed the Senate. It was referred to the Assembly, where it never got out of committee. - Senate Bill 206 - Health Savings Accounts - HIRSP
This bill provides a health savings account option for certain people under the Health Insurance Risk-Sharing Plan (HIRSP). [More on Senate Bill 206 ]
Outcome: Failed to get out of committee. - Senate Bill 283 - Alzheimer's Treatment
This bill stops nursing homes, community-based residential facilities, adult family homes, residential care apartment complexes, and hospices from providing special services for persons with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia unless the Dept. of He [More on Senate Bill 283 ]
Outcome: Hearing held in the Senate, amended and passed out of committee and referred to Joint Finance Committee. Failed to get out of that committee. - Senate Bill 375 - Mental Health Parity
This bill requires that insurance policies provide the same coverage for mental health and mental illness as they do for physical, illness or injury. [More on Senate Bill 375 ]
Outcome: Had a Senate hearing, passed out of committee, was referred to the Joint Finance Committee, and never got out of committee.
Who can I contact with my questions? (Top of page)
John Shaw
Wisconsin Council on Developmental Disabilities
201 W. Washington Avenue
Madison WI 53703-2796
Phone: Voice (608) 266-7707; TDD (608) 266-6660
Email: shawj2@dhfs.state.wi.us
Fax: (608) 267-3906
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