Month: October 2011

In a recent interview with Wisconsin Health News, Wisconsin Health Care Association executive director Tom Moore talked about the potential impact of President Barack Obama's proposed Medicare payment cuts to nursing homes, workforce issues, and new legislation that would prevent the facilities from being fined twice for the same violation. (WHN, 10/4)

Large employers and their employees in the Milwaukee area are projected to spend 6.7% more on health benefits next year, according to an analysis by Aon Hewitt released Monday. The estimate is roughly in line with the projected increase of 7% for large employers nationally. The 6.7% projected increase for the Milwaukee area comes after an 8.4% increase in costs this year. (JOURNAL SENTINEL, 10/4)

Reacting to a new state law that requires photo identification for voting, some state and local officials are pushing to waive the $20 fee for copies of Milwaukee County birth certificates. Earlier this year, the Legislature adopted the voter ID law, which says voters must show one of several approved forms of photo identification - such as a driver's license - at the polls, starting next year. For those who don't have a driver's license, lawmakers provided for the state Division of Motor Vehicles to waive fees for state ID cards at a voter's request. But applicants still need copies of their birth certificates to obtain either driver's licenses or state ID cards. And state law sets fees of $20 for the first copy and $3 for subsequent copies. (JOURNAL SENTINEL, 10/4)

The Medical College of Wisconsin has narrowed its dean search to two candidates — the school's interim dean and a prominent surgeon from Johns Hopkins Hospital with ties to the Medical College. Medical College staff received an internal memo on Friday announcing the candidates: interim dean and executive vice president Dr. Joseph Kerschner and Dr. Julie Ann Freischlag, chief of surgery at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore. (MILWAUKEE BUSINESS JOURNAL, 10/3)