Evers unveils second COVID-19 legislative package
Gov. Tony Evers unveiled a second legislative proposal aimed at the COVID-19 pandemic on Wednesday.
Republican legislative leaders told reporters they’re looking to reach bipartisan consensus on a plan that doesn’t “spend outside our state’s means.”
Evers’ second plan builds on previous legislation he sent to lawmakers last month that would provide more than $700 million in state spending to address the pandemic.
The Department of Health Services reported Wednesday that there have been 24 deaths and 398 hospitalizations from COVID-19 in Wisconsin. There have been 1,550 positive tests for the illness and 18,819 negative tests.
The plan Evers put forward Wednesday would increase funding for Medicaid providers, establish a fund to reduce providers’ uncompensated care costs and expand a program to attract and retain more nursing home caregivers.
Other parts of the plan would provide more funding for the state’s reinsurance program to defray costs associated with COVID-19 treatment and reduce individual health insurance premiums. Evers also proposed money for health insurance navigators to help people sign up for coverage.
“I’m calling on the Legislature to convene without any further delay to take up these proposals supporting our healthcare providers, essential workers, small businesses and families across our state who need our help during this difficult time,” Evers said in a statement. “These are unprecedented times, but we must remember that we are all in this together.”
Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, said that they’ve already discussed many of the items Evers proposed Wednesday.
“Some appear to be redundant or previously discarded,” Fitzgerald said in a statement. “The Legislature plans to craft and negotiate a plan that doesn’t spend outside our state’s means.”
Kit Beyer, spokeswoman for Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, said Vos and his caucus will review the policy requests, but that the state doesn’t have the money to spend and the governor will have to rely on federal funding.
Before Evers unveiled his second plan, Vos and Fitzgerald told reporters that they’re waiting to hear back from the Legislative Fiscal Bureau on what’s involved in a federal stimulus package signed into law last week. The agency released a memo on the package Wednesday afternoon.
“Certainly, we want to know everything that’s in the federal bill before we decide if we’re going to spend precious state resources,” Vos said. “Our hope is to get a bill that everyone can vote for, that doesn’t have things that would raise serious objections and the goal would be to try to have that as soon as we can.”
Vos said they don’t want to put an “artificial timeline” on it, but that “speed is of the essence.” He said there’s broad support for a temporary suspension for the one-week waiting period for unemployment benefits.
Fitzgerald said they’re hoping to target unemployment and licensure for healthcare workers.
Vos also said he assumes that temporary changes to Medicaid needed to draw down enhanced federal funds, as well as authorization for an emergency 1135 waiver, will be part of the package put forward.
Disability Rights Wisconsin on Thursday called for the Legislature to take fast action on the 1135 waiver. Forty-one states have so far received approval from the federal government on their plans.
“I think we’re on track to take action,” Fitzgerald said of the Medicaid changes.
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