Month: February 2014

Gov. Scott Walker signed seven bills Thursday focused on increasing the services available to those suffering from mental illness, especially in rural parts of the state. The Speaker's Task Force on Mental Health originally recommended each of the seven initiatives. (WHN, 2/7)

University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics approved adding $18 million to its budget for constructing the UW Health American Center on the east side of Madison at an authority board meeting Wednesday. (WHN, 2/6)

By focusing on not making money, Prevea Health was able to record its best two years of financial performance, CEO Dr. Ashok Rai told a room full of healthcare leaders at a Wisconsin Health News briefing Tuesday. (WHN, 2/5)

Health insurance exchange premiums in the far western Wisconsin counties of Pierce, Polk and St. Croix are the fourth most expensive in the country, according to a new study from the Kaiser Family Foundation. But the overall rates in the region may not be any higher than the rest of the country, said J.P. Wieske, a spokesman for the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance. (WHN, 2/4)

Sen. Leah Vukmir, R-Wauwatosa, is circulating legislation that would update a Department of Health Services rule regulating hospitals by replacing most of it with the Medicare Conditions of Participation. The proposal is a top priority of hospitals, as they must now comply with different federal and state standards. (WHN, 2/3)