Wisconsin Health News (9/22) offered comments by advocacy organizations about small steps forward in this year’s budget. Here are excerpts. WHN is a subscription service.
“The Survival Coalition of Disability Organizations said the budget would help eliminate long-term care wait lists for 2,200 children with physical, developmental or emotional disabilities. And they called a 2 percent increase in Medicaid personal care rates “an important first step in addressing the workforce crisis.”
“Wisconsin Health Care Association and Wisconsin Center for Assisted Living Executive Director John Vander Meer lauded the budget for including a 2 percent increase for skilled nursing facilities and a $60 million increase for Family Care over the biennium.”
“Linda Hall, executive director of the Wisconsin Association of Family and Children’s Agencies, said the budget makes a “significant investment” in student mental health by providing $3.25 million in new grants along with Medicaid-funded consultation services.”
On the other hand, WHN also reported that Walker vetoed a resolution passed by the Joint Finance Committee stipulating that the state’s requested Medicaid waiver could not be implemented without its approval. The requested waiver is the most Draconian in the country.
