Legislative Update

If you have any questions, related to legislative issues please contact the VP-Governmental Affairs, the WSHA Clinical VPs (Audiology, Health Care, Schools), the President-Elect, and/or the President. 

Wisconsin State Legislature: http://www.legis.state.wi.us/

Health insurance coverage of treatment for autism spectrum disorders: The new insurance mandate went into effect for insurance policies that were issued on or after November 1, 2009.  Resources on the mandate can be found on our homepage.

Health insurance coverage of hearing aids and cochlear implants for person under 18 years of age:  The new insurance mandate went into effect for insurance polices that were issued on or after January 1, 2010.  More information can be found here.

2009 Senate Bill 358/Assembly Bill 553: Licensure of audiologists, creating new grounds for discipline of hearing instrument specialists, audiologists, and speech/language pathologists:

The legislation was signed into law May 13, 2010.  The law amends the minimum education requirements for audiologists from a master's degree to a doctoral degree; improves consumer protection by creating a stronger definition of "deceptive advertising" and by requiring more information on the receipt for sale of a hearing aid; and eliminates several requirements of providers and merchants that are duplicative or not enforced by the Hearing and Speech Examining Board.

ForwardHealth Rate Reform (Medicaid Program):  The 2009-11 Biennial Budget authorized $633 million (all funds) in cuts to the Medicaid program.  The Department of Health Services is in the process of implementing programmatic changes and cuts to meet the shortfall.  To view the PowerPoint presentation on the Department's plan, please click here.  The shortfall in the Medicaid program is expected to grow several hundred million dollars at the end of 2010 if the federal government does not extend an increase to FMAP (Federal Medicaid Assistance Percentages).  States are currently receiving a higher federal match through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).  The higher match is set to expire at the end of 2010.  States are lobbying for a six-month extension to the increase.  Further, on July 20, 2010 the state Supreme Court ruled that a 2007 $200 million transfer from the Injured Patient Compensation Fund to the Medicaid Trust Fund was unconstitutional.  The state will be required to repay the money.  The ruling will likely further impact the shortfall in the Medicaid program.

Fair Funding for Our Future (K12 school finance reform):  State Superintendent Tony Evers is proposing “Fair Funding for Our Future” as a framework for school finance reform in the 2011-13 state budget.  The proposal does the following: a) prioritizes ALL students, b) accounts for family income and poverty, c) provides predictable growth in state support for schools, and d) supports rural schools.  A framework of the plan can be found here.  

2010 Legislative Council Special Study Committees:  The Joint Legislative Council established several study committees to review specific policy items during the 2010 legislative interim.  WSHA will monitor several committees including Heath Care Access and Health Care Reform Implementation.  Click here to view a list of committees.

Political Action Resources
Would you like to be more informed about the political process in Wisconsin or more active in lobbying the State Legislature about bills that impact the professions of speech-language pathology and audiology? WSHA offers Political Action Resources to help members understand how bills become laws, and how they can get involved and interact effectively with legislators.

Legislative Vocabulary (pdf)
Sample Letter (pdf)
The Political Process (pdf)
Tips For Talking To Your Legislators (pdf)
Tips For Writing To Your Legislators (pdf)
WI State Legislature (find your Legislator)
Wisconsin Government Directory (pdf)

Licensure
Department of Public Instruction (DPI)
DPI - General Licensing Information
DPI - Special Education Licenses

Department of Regulation and Licensing (DRL)
DRL - General Licensing Information
DRL - Audiologist
DRL - Hearing Instrument Specialist
DRL - Speech-Language Pathologist

Meet WSHA's Lobbyist
Ramie Zelenkova, a professional lobbyist with Broydrick and Associates, represents WSHA’s professional interests in Madison. Ramie also works with WSHA’s VP of Governmental Affairs and the WSHA Executive Board to encourage the membership to political action.

If you have any questions, related to legislative issues please contact the VP-Governmental Affairs, the WSHA Clinical VPs (Audiology, Health Care, Schools), the President-Elect, and/or the President.  Due to budget constraints we have, unfortunately, had to limit the number of hours that we use our lobbyist.  Having members contact the VP will help us keep track of the time we are using and make the most of the time we have.  We would also like to keep the appropriate board member in the loop for all member questions and concerns.

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