PAST Legislative Updates
WNA Action on Legislative Bills as of August 7, 2023
Bill Number: 2023 Assembly Bill 17 and 2023 Senate Bill 11
Title: Relating to: expanding the treatment alternatives and diversion programs.
Committee: Assembly Judiciary and Senate Judiciary and Public Safety
WNA Position: Support
Rationale: Increase Wisconsinite’s access to equitable, economical, safe, quality, ethical, and innovative healthcare for all.
Status: No action
Bill Number: 2023 Assembly Bill 32 and 2023 Senate Bill 31
Title: 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.
Committee: Assembly Ways and Means and Senate Universities and Revenue
WNA Position: Support
Rationale: Registered and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses are critical to achieving the goals of improving healthcare delivery and population health in Wisconsin. Includes psychiatric mental health nurse providers.
Status: Public Hearing, Assembly Health Committee, No action in the Senate.
Bill Number: 2023 Assembly Bill 41 and 2023 Senate Bill 43
Title: Relating to: a time limitation for processing sexual assault kits
Committee: Assembly Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety, and Senate Judiciary and Public Safety
WNA Position: Support
Rationale: Promote safe practice and care delivery environments for nurses and patients, including protections for workplace or other types of violence.
Status: Assembly No action. Senate Public Hearing Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety
Bill Number: 2023 Assembly Bill 103 and 2023 Senate Bill 100
Title: Relating to: application of prescription drug payments to health insurance cost-sharing requirements.
Committee: Assembly Health, Aging and Long-Term Care and Senate Insurance and Small Business
WNA Position: Support
Rationale: Increase Wisconsinite’s access to equitable, economical, safe, quality, ethical, and innovative healthcare for all.
Status: Assembly No action, Senate No action
Bill Number: 2023 Assembly Bill 114 and 2023 Senate Bill 110
Title: Extension of eligibility under the Medical Assistance program for postpartum women
Committee: Assembly Health, Aging and Long-Term Care and Senate Insurance and Small Business
WNA Position: Active Support, WNA provided written testimony on March 28, 2023
To view go to: LC Hearing Materials for SB110 on 3/28/2023
Rationale: Increase Wisconsinite’s access to equitable, economical, safe, quality, ethical, and innovative healthcare for all utilizing an educated and competent nursing and healthcare workforce.
Status: Assembly No action, Senate Passed out of Senate Health Committee, ready for scheduling by full Senate.
Bill Number: 2023 Assembly Bill 117 and 2023 Senate Bill 121
Title: coverage of breast cancer screenings by the Medical Assistance program and health insurance policies and plans.
Committee: Assembly Health, Aging and Long-Term Care and Senate Health
WNA Position: Support
Rationale: Increase Wisconsinite’s access to equitable, economical, safe, quality, ethical, and innovative healthcare for all utilizing an educated and competent nursing and healthcare workforce. This bill provides coverage for Medicaid patients that require dense breast tissue mammogram. This bill extends Medicaid and other health insurance coverage for postpartum health care from 60 days to one year. One out of 8 women are diagnosed with breast cancer. This affects over 13,000 nurses per year.
Status: Assembly No action, Senate Passed out of Senate Health Committee, ready for scheduling in the full Senate.
Bill Number: 2023 Assembly Bill 129 and 2023 Senate Bill 133
Title: Relating to: sexual assault by a health care provider and providing a penalty.
Committee: Assembly Criminal Justice and Public Safety, and Senate Judiciary and Public Safety
WNA Position: Support
Rationale: Increase Wisconsinite’s access to equitable, economical, safe, quality, ethical, and innovative healthcare for all utilizing an educated and competent nursing and healthcare workforce.
Status: Assembly Public Hearing, Senate No action
Bill Number: 2023 Assembly Bill 143 and 2023 Senate Bill 160
Title: Relating to: prohibiting statutes and rules examinations for certain professions.
Committee: Assembly, Regulatory Licensing Reform Senate. Licensing, Constitution and Federalism
WNA Position: Support
Rationale: Increase patient access to care through the passage of the APRN Modernization Act resulting in full practice authority for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN). Nurses are taught statue statutes and rule that impact APRN practice. Offering an exam via the state is redundant and costly administer.
Status: Assembly, Public hearing, Senate, No action
Bill Number: 2023 Assembly Bill 154 and 2023 Senate Bill 145
Title: Advanced practice registered nurses, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, and granting rule-making authority.
Committee: Assembly Health, Aging and Long-Term Care and Senate Health
WNA Position: Active Support
Rationale: Increase patient access to care through the passage of the APRN Modernization Act resulting in full practice authority for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN). This one of WNA major advocacy efforts. For more information go to WNA website: https://www.wisconsinnurses.org/aprn-modernization-act-3/
Status: Assembly No action, Senate Public Hearing
Bill Number: 2023 Assembly Bill 176 and 2023 Senate Bill 211
Title: Relating to: permitting pharmacists to prescribe certain contraceptives, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, granting rule-making authority, and providing a penalty.
Committee: Assembly Health, Aging and Long-Term Care Senate Health
WNA Position: Support
Rationale: WNA and its members are the collective and collaborative voice to advocate for access to equitable, comprehensive, and coordinated healthcare.
Status: Assembly, Passed the full Assembly Senate, Public hearing on Assembly bill
Bill Number: 2023 Assembly Bill 204 and 2023 Senate Bill 193
Title: Relating to: renewal dates and continuing education requirements for certain credentials issued by the Department of Safety and Professional Services and credentialing boards and granting rule-making authority.
Committee: Assembly Regulatory Licensing Reform and Senate Licensing, Constitution and Federalism
WNA Position: Support Senate Substitute Amendment 1 to SB 193
Rationale: WNA supports LPN and RN workforce surveys to be taken at the time of license renewal. Any attempts to change this during this nursing shortage crisis is inappropriate and will be met with opposition from nursing.
Status: AB 204 passed the full Assembly that included removal of the required LPN and RN Workforce Surveys taken at the time of license renewal. This was opposed by WNA. SB 193 had a public hearing, substitute amendment 1 was introduced that maintains the LPN and RN workforce surveys.
Bill Number: 2023 Assembly Bill 249 and 2023 Senate Bill 244
Title: Relating to: expanding Wisconsin Works eligibility for at-risk pregnancy.
Committee: Assembly Health, Aging and Long-Term Care, Senate Mental Health, Substance Abuse Prevention, Children and Families
WNA Position: Support
Rationale: WNA and its members are the collective and collaborative voice to advocate for access to equitable, comprehensive, and coordinated healthcare.
Status: No action
Bill Number: 2023 Assembly Bill 259 and 2023 Senate Bill 263
Title: Relating to: 100-day prescription drug supplies under SeniorCare and amending an administrative rule related to 100-day prescription drug supplies permitted under SeniorCare.
Committee: Assembly Health, Aging and Long-Term Care and Senate Committee on Licensing, Constitution and Federalism
WNA Position: Support
Rationale: Increase Wisconsinite’s access to equitable, economical, safe, quality, ethical, and innovative healthcare for all.
Status: Assembly, No action. Senate: Passed out of committee and waiting to be scheduled for a full vote of the Senate
Bill Number: 2023 Assembly Bill 281 and 2023 Senate Bill 277
Title: Relating to: mental health consultation program and making an appropriation.
Committee: Assembly Mental Health and Substance Abuse Prevention, Senate Mental Health, Substance Abuse Prevention, Children and Families
WNA Position: Support
Rationale: WNA and its members are the collective and collaborative voice to advocate for access to equitable, comprehensive, and coordinated healthcare. The bill requires an organization to administer a mental health consultation program (MHCP) that incorporates a comprehensive set of mental health consultation services and may include perinatal, child, adult, geriatric, pain, veteran, and general mental health consultation services.
Status: No action
Bill Number: 2023 Assembly Bill 317 and 2023 Senate Bill 143
Title: Relating to: the use of certain words and terms that refer to a physician.
Committee: Assembly, Health, Aging and Long-Term Care and Senate, Health
WNA Position: Active Monitoring
Rationale: Increase patient access to care through the passage of the APRN Modernization Act resulting in full practice authority for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) including the right to use Doctor in Nursing Practice (DNP).
Status: Assembly, No action, Senate, Public Hearing, amendments pending.
Bill Number: 2023 Assembly Bill 341 and 2023 Senate Bill 333
Title: Relating to: sexual misconduct against a pupil by a school staff member or volunteer and providing a penalty.
Committee: Assembly Education and Senate Judiciary and Public Safety
WNA Position: Support
Rationale: Increase Wisconsinite’s access to equitable, economical, safe, quality, ethical, and innovative healthcare for all.
Status: No action.
Bill Number: 2023 Assembly Bill 369 and 2023 Senate Bill 369
Title: Relating to: newborn infant safety devices under the safe haven law.
Committee: Assembly Children and Families and Senate Mental Health, Substance Abuse Prevention, Children and Families
WNA Position: Support
Rationale: Increase Wisconsinite’s access to equitable, economical, safe, quality, ethical, and innovative healthcare for all.
Status: No action
WNA Action on Legislative Bills as of June 28, 2023
Bill Number: 2023 Assembly Bill 17 and 2023 Senate Bill 11
Title: Relating to: expanding the treatment alternatives and diversion programs.
Committee: Assembly Judiciary and Senate Judiciary and Public Safety
WNA Position: Support
Rationale: Increase Wisconsinite’s access to equitable, economical, safe, quality, ethical, and innovative healthcare for all.
Status: No action
Bill Number: 2023 Assembly Bill 32 and 2023 Senate Bill 31
Title: 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.
Committee: Assembly Ways and Means and Senate Universities and Revenue
WNA Position: Support
Rationale: Registered and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses are critical to achieving the goals of improving healthcare delivery and population health in Wisconsin. Includes psychiatric mental health nurse providers.
Status: Assembly – Public Hearing 3/16/23
Bill Number: 2023 Assembly Bill 41 and 2023 Senate Bill 43
Title: Relating to: a time limitation for processing sexual assault kits
Committee: Assembly Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety, and Senate Judiciary and Public Safety
WNA Position: Support
Rationale: Promote safe practice and care delivery environments for nurses and patients, including protections for workplace or other types of violence.
Status: Senate – Public Hearing 5/10/23
Bill Number: 2023 Assembly Bill 78 and 2023 Senate Bill 72
Title: Relating to: increased penalties for crimes against adults at risk; restraining orders for adults at risk; freezing assets of a defendant charged with financial exploitation of an adult at risk; sexual assault of an adult at risk; and providing a penalty
Committee: Assembly – Criminal Justice and Public Safety and Senate – Judiciary and Public Safety
WNA Position: Support
Rationale: Increase Wisconsinite’s access to equitable, economical, safe, quality, ethical, and innovative healthcare for all utilizing an educated and competent nursing and healthcare workforce.
Status: Assembly- Public Hearing 3/23/23
Bill Number: 2023 Assembly Bill 103 and 2023 Senate Bill 100
Title: Relating to: application of prescription drug payments to health insurance cost-sharing requirements.
Committee: Assembly – Health, Aging and Long-Term Care and Senate – Insurance and Small Business
WNA Position: Support
Rationale: Increase Wisconsinite’s access to equitable, economical, safe, quality, ethical, and innovative healthcare for all utilizing an educated and competent nursing and healthcare workforce.
Status: No action
Bill Number: 2023 Assembly Bill 114 and 2023 Senate Bill 110
Title: Extension of eligibility under the Medical Assistance program for postpartum women
Committee: Assembly Health, Aging and Long-Term Care and Senate Insurance and Small Business
WNA Position: Active Support, WNA provided written testimony on March 28, 2023
To view go to: LC Hearing Materials for SB110 on 3/28/2023
Rationale: Increase Wisconsinite’s access to equitable, economical, safe, quality, ethical, and innovative healthcare for all utilizing an educated and competent nursing and healthcare workforce. This bill extends Medicaid coverage for postpartum health care from 60 days to one year.
Status: Senate- Passed out of Committee 6/27/23
Bill Number: 2023 Assembly Bill 117 and 2023 Senate Bill 121
Title: Coverage of breast cancer screenings by the Medical Assistance program and health insurance policies and plans.
Committee: Assembly Health, Aging and Long-Term Care and Senate Health
WNA Position: Support
Rationale: Increase Wisconsinite’s access to equitable, economical, safe, quality, ethical, and innovative healthcare for all utilizing an educated and competent nursing and healthcare workforce. This bill provides coverage for Medicaid patients that require dense breast tissue mammogram.
Status: No action
Bill Number: 2023 Assembly Bill 129 and 2023 Senate Bill 133
Title: Relating to: sexual assault by a health care provider and providing a penalty.
Committee: Assembly Criminal Justice and Public Safety, and Senate Judiciary and Public Safety
WNA Position: Support
Rationale: Increase Wisconsinite’s access to equitable, economical, safe, quality, ethical, and innovative healthcare for all utilizing an educated and competent nursing and healthcare workforce.
Status: Assembly- Public Hearing 6/1/23
Bill Number: 2023 Assembly Bill 154 and 2023 Senate Bill 145
Title: Advanced practice registered nurses, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, and granting rule-making authority.
Committee: Assembly Health, Aging and Long-Term Care and Senate Health
WNA Position: Active Support
Rationale: Increase patient access to care through the passage of the APRN Modernization Act resulting in full practice authority for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN). This one of WNA major advocacy efforts. For more information go to WNA website: https://www.wisconsinnurses.org/aprn-modernization-act-3/
Status: Senate-Public Hearing 5/24/23
Bill Number: 2023 Assembly Bill 143 and 2023 Senate Bill 160
Title: Prohibiting statutes and rules examinations for certain professions.
Committee: Assembly – Regulatory Licensing Reform Senate – Licensing, Constitution and Federalism
WNA Position: Support
Rationale: Advanced Practice Nurse Prescribers are required to take a jurisprudence exam as part of being authorized to hold a certificate as an APNP. This is an open-book exam of which the content is already addressed in the graduate educational program.
Status: Assembly- Public Hearing 4/12/23
Bill Number: 2023 Assembly Bill 204 and 2023 Senate Bill 193
Title: Relating to: renewal dates and continuing education requirements for certain credentials issued by the Department of Safety and Professional Services and credentialing boards and granting rule-making authority.
Committee: Assembly – Committee on Regulatory Licensing Reform and Senate – Licensing, Constitution and Federalism
WNA Position: Active Opposition to Substitute Amendment 1 which makes the RN and LPN Workforce Survey voluntary and pay $4.00 to participate.
Rationale: The surveys demonstrate the status of the nursing workforce including opportunities for nurses to share their voice regarding hours of work, physical and mental health status since COVID and reasons for leaving the workforce. Now is not the time to stop the gathering this information when there is a nursing shortage crisis. For more I formation go to: https://www.wisconsinnurses.org/preserving-the-nursing-workforce-survey/
Status: Passed the full Assembly.
Bill Number: 2023 Assembly Bill 249 and 2023 Senate Bill 244
Title: Expanding Wisconsin Works eligibility for at-risk pregnancy.
Committee: Assembly – Health, Aging and Long-Term Care and Senate – Mental Health, Substance Abuse Prevention, Children and Families
WNA Position: Support
Rationale: Reinforce public health infrastructure and programs to promote prevention, health promotion, and response to public health emergencies, while also addressing health disparities.
Status: No action
Bill Number: 2023 Assembly Bill 317 and 2023 Senate Bill 143
Title: Use of certain words and terms that refer to a physician
Committee: Assembly – Health, Aging and Long-Term Care and Senate Health
WNA Position: Monitor
Rationale: Trying to determine if the language prohibits APRNs with a DNP to call themselves doctor.
Status: Senate- Public Hearing 5/24/23
Budget Bill
Budget: Higher Education Aids Board
Title: Nurse Educator Loan Forgiveness
Committee: Joint Finance Committee
Position: Active Support, The Wisconsin Nurse Educator Program is an initiative by the Administrators of Nursing Education in Wisconsin (ANEW) and the Wisconsin Nurses Association (WNA) to support the education of nurses in Wisconsin.
Rationale: This portion of the budget bill allocates $10 million to nurses enrolled in a graduate nursing program with a Master’s degree as a nurse educator, DNP or PhD. The loan will be forgiven if the graduate works as a nurse educator for three years. For more information: https://www.wisconsinnurses.org/increasing-the-supply-of-wisconsins-nurse-educator-workforce/
Status: JFC did not increase the amount requested ($10 million) but extended the continuation of $10 million.
.
WNA Legislative Update – August 3, 2021
WNA’s Public Policy Council meets monthly to review proposed legislation to determine if action is needed. Below are the legislative bills that the Council has taken a position and the status.
Bills: 2021 Assembly Bill 23 & 2021 Senate Bill 4
Relating to: Prohibiting certain government officials from mandating vaccination against the 2019 novel coronavirus.
Assigned Committee: A – Constitution and Ethics S- Human Services, Children and Families
WNA Position: Oppose
Rationale: This does not assist health care employers from assuring the safety of nurses and their patients. We would like to see the use of the current statute that allows for medical reason, religious and personal conviction instead.
Status: A 3/23 Passed the full Assembly. 4/14 S – passed the full Senate with other Amendments. Assembly Concurrence. 4/23 Governor Veto.
Bills: 2021 Assembly Bill 25 & 2021 Senate Bill 5
Relating to: Prohibiting mandatory vaccination for employment
Assigned Committee: A – Constitution and Ethics S – Committee on Human Services, Children and Families
WNA Position: Oppose
Rationale: This does not assist health care employers from assuring the safety of nurses and their patients. We would like to see the use of the current statute that allows for medical reason, religious and personal conviction instead.
Status: 3/24 -Passed the full Assembly. Sent over to Senate. Ready for Scheduling
Bills: 2021 Assembly Bill 36 & 2021 Senate Bill 30
Relating to: Permitting pharmacists to prescribe certain contraceptives, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, granting rule-making authority, and providing a penalty
Assigned Committee: A- Committee on Health S -Committee on Health
WNA Position: Support
Rationale: Increase access to care through utilization of pharmacists. Pharmacists must be educated. The Boards of Nursing, Pharmacy and Medicine are required to develop the criteria.
Status: A – No action S- Ready for Scheduling
Bills: 2021 Assembly Bill 66 & 2021 Senate Bill 59
Relating to: Community health center grants and making an appropriation.
Assigned Committee: A – Health S – Health
WNA Position: Support
Rationale: Increase access to care for those populations that are experiencing health disparities and those unemployed due to COVID-19
Status: 2/11 – S Available for scheduling. Assembly No action .
Bills: 2021 Assembly Bill 67 2021 Senate Bill 71
Relating to: Storage and processing of sexual assault kits and requiring the exercise of rule-making authority.
Assigned Committee: A- Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety S – Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety
WNA Position: Support
Rationale: Advocates for quality and ethical health care, forensic nurse practice and supports important information in the criminal courts
Status: 3/16 – Passed the full Senate. Sent to the Assembly. No action.
Bills: 2021 Assembly Bill 87 & 2021 Senate Bill 94
Relating to: Tracking of sexual assault kits in sexual assault cases, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation
Assigned Committee: A- Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety S – Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety
WNA Position: Support
Rationale: Advocates for quality and ethical health care, forensic nurse practice and supports important information in the criminal courts through the establishment of a standardized policy and procedure for storage
Status: S– 3/16 Passed the full Senate. Assembly – No action
Bills: 2021 Assembly Bill 88 & 2021 Senate Bill 87
Relating to: Requiring face coverings in certain situations and providing a penalty.
Assigned Committee: A – State Affairs S – Committee on Labor and Regulatory Reform
WNA Position: Support
Rationale: WNA supports a face mask mandate in those ettings and conditions that can increase the risk of exposure. Nurses are health care professionals that are providng the care in those care settings. They remain the most at-risk for COVID -19 exposure despite being vaccinated. Nurses are emotionally and physically exhausted.
Status: A – No Action. S- No action
Bills: 2021 Assembly Bill 92 & 2021 Senate Bill 86
Relating to: Grant to a hospital for expanding psychiatric bed capacity.
Assigned Committee: A-State Affairs S – Health
WNA Position: Support
Rationale: There is an increased need to provide in-patient mental health care so as to stabilize
Status: 3/31 – A – Public Hearing. 3/19- Senate Passed out of committee. Available for full vote by the Senate.
Bills: 2021 Assembly Bill 128 & 2021 Senate Bill 127
Relating to: Requiring informed consent before performing a pelvic exam on a patient who is under general anesthesia or unconscious.
Assigned Committee: S – Health A – Health
WNA Position: Active Support
Rationale: Supports ethical and transparent health care delivery. There are added costs to the training of medical students. The anesthesia provider charges by time increments, OR staff cannot prep for the next surgical patient due to delays. Prolonging the delivery of anesthesia to patient is not a standard of care.
Status: A – 7/29 Public Hearing. S – No Actio
Bills: 2021 Assembly Bill 184 & 2021 Senate Bill 215
Relating to: Application of prescription drug payments to health insurance cost-sharing requirements.
Assigned Committee: A – Health S- Insurance, Licensing and Forestry
WNA Position: Support
Rationale: Supports access to needed medication using a cost-sharing insurance program.
Status: No Action – A or S
Bills: 2021 Assembly Bill 210 & Senate Bill 253
Relating to: Grants for suicide prevention programming and making an appropriation.
Assigned Committee: A – Mental Health. S – Human Services, Children and Families
WNA Position: Support
Rationale: This is important given the mental health issues that have emerged due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nurses are not exempt and other caregivers will benefit from access to mental health services
Status: 5/5 – A – Passed out of committee. 5/2 – S- Public Hearing
Bills: 2021 Assembly Bill & 215 Senate Bill 247
Relating to: Visitation of a long-term care facility resident or hospital patient by an essential visitor or member of the clergy
Assigned Committee: A – Aging and Long-Term Care S – Human Services, Children and Families
WNA Position: Oppose
Rationale: It is important to maintain restrictions as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to be problematic. The goal is to maintain the health of the residents and the health care providers.
Status: A- No Action. S- No actio
Bills: 2021 Assembly Bill 259 & 2021 Senate Bill 306
Relating to: Coverage of telehealth services
Assigned Committee: A – Insurance S – Insurance, Licensing and Forestry
WNA Position: Support
Rationale: Access to reimbursed mental health services
Status: No Action A or S
Bills: 2021 Assembly Bill 292 & 2021 Senate Bill 312
Relating to: Composition of local boards of health
Assigned Committee: A – Health S – Sporting Heritage, Small Business and Rural Issues
WNA Position: Support
Rationale: Supports public health infrastructure by having a RN on the board.
Status: 7/29 – A – Public Hearing. S – No Action
Bills: 2021 Assembly Bill 337& 2021 Senate Bill 343
Relating to: Use of epinephrine prefilled syringes and standing orders for epinephrine
Assigned Committee: A – Health S-Health
WNA Position: Support
Rationale: This supports access to care that allows APNPs authority to issue standing orders.
Status: 7/29 A – Public Hearing. S- No Action
Bills: 2021 Assembly Bill 348 & 2021 Senate Bill 355
Relating to: Raising the legal age for sale, purchase, and possession of cigarettes and nicotine and tobacco products, providing a legal age for sale, purchase, and possession of vapor products, and providing a penalty.
Assigned Committee: A – Substance Abuse and Prevention S – Judiciary and Public Safety
WNA Position: Support
Rationale: This supports tobacco prevention by increasing the age to purchase tobacco products.
Status: No Action A or S
Bills: 2021 Assembly Bill 396 & 2021 Senate Bill 394
Relating to: Separate licensure for advanced practice registered nurses, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, and granting rule-making authority
Assigned Committee: A – Health S – Health
WNA Position: Actively support
Rationale: WNA has pursued the passage of this legislation over the past three legislative sessions. The bill describes the condition for licensure as an APRN and the ability to work at the top of their license. This supports patient access to affordable, quality and safe care.
Status: A – Public Hearing 7/29; S – Public Hearing 7/28
Bills: Assembly Bill 479 & Senate Bill 340
Relating to: Reimbursement rates for behavioral treatment services for persons with autism under the Medical Assistance program.
Assigned Committee: A- Health S – Health
WNA Position: Support
Rationale: Supports access to care and services for this vulnerable population and their families.
Status: No action in either Committee
Bill: 2021 Senate Bill 8
Relating to: Distribution of COVID-19 vaccines.
Assigned Committee: Human Services, Children and Families
WNA Position: Oppose
Rationale: WNA representative served as a member of the SDMAC. The responsibility to to establish an ethical framework for the allocation of vaccine when there is a scarcity of resources. Priorities for vulnerable and at-risk populations including those aged 65+ are in Priority 1a. The release to the community of incarcerated individuals should be vaccinated due to the exposure rate of COVID-19 within the jail and prison settings.
Status: 2/16 – Passed full Senate. Sent to the Assembly.