PHAB Reaccreditation recognizes health departments that have sustained national standards of performance while continuously adapting to meet evolving public health needs. This accomplishment reflects the dedication of staff, leadership, community partners, and governing bodies who work collaboratively to strengthen public health systems and improve community health outcomes across Wisconsin. We celebrate Oneida County and Racine County for this significant achievement and their ongoing commitment to excellence in public health.

View the full announcement here.

For members that will be in Wisconsin Dells for the conference, please join us in Sandstone 89. For members that are unable to attend in person, a Zoom link is included on the meeting agenda. 

Please reference the meeting packet for the annual business meeting materials and attachments. 

Through the process, the team rebuilt policies and procedures, created a culture of performance management and quality improvement, and secured additional funding for community programming.

SMCHD’s story is an inspiration to other small health departments looking to exemplify public health excellence and strengthen Foundational Capabilities.

View the full story here. 

Both WPHA and WALHDAB recently agreed to sign on to an American Diabetes Association-led coalition letter to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) in an effort to improve access to personal continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices among Medicaid recipients in Wisconsin.   CGMs are effective in helping individuals with diabetes manage their condition and are accepted as standard care for those who have type 1 diabetes and are recommended for people with type 2 diabetes. 

At this time, CGMs are available to Wisconsin Medicaid beneficiaries through the program’s medical benefit, although prior authorization is required.  DHS has recently made a number of changes to expand Medicaid coverage for CGMs, including no longer requiring that an endocrinologist be a member of the patient’s health care team, as well as ending the requirement that the individual test themselves with a blood glucose monitor four times each day.  In addition, the coalition letter requests DHS to do the following:

• Ensure streamlined coverage for those under 21 years of age,
• Expand access to coverage through the pharmacy benefit, and
• Eliminate the requirement for a minimum number of daily insulin administrations.

Any response received from DHS will be shared in a future WPHA/WALHDAB newsletter. 

Legislative Council Study Committee Members Announced

As mentioned in a prior WPHA/WALHDAB monthly newsletter, the legislature organizes study committees in even-numbered years to hold public hearings and perform in-depth reviews of various state policy matters facing Wisconsin.  Legislators and members of the public are members of these committees.  Once these committees complete their series of public hearings in late 2022 or early 2023, they will draft legislation to address these policy areas and submit them to the legislature for possible consideration. 

Three of these committees will likely be of interest to WPHA/WALHDAB members:  the Study Committee on Occupational Licenses, the Study Committee on Uniform Death Reporting Standards and the Study Committee on Increasing Offender Employment Opportunities.  In early June, the legislature selected members of all study committees.  The Occupational Licenses committee includes two members from the health care field – a senior vice president from the Wisconsin Hospital Association and the director of business development from a rural community clinic.  The Uniform Death Reporting Standards committee includes two medical examiners and a public health nurse.  The Increasing Offender Employment Opportunities committee includes the founder and CEO of a Milwaukee organization that helps formerly incarcerated individuals find jobs, a dean at Milwaukee Technical College and two recruitment professionals.

These committees will likely hold their first meeting later this summer.  The committees will hold public, in-person meetings in Madison once per month until they have completed their work.  It is likely that these committee meetings will be streamed live on Wisconsin Eye.  Of course, the WPHA/WALHDAB government affairs team will monitor the work of these committees.  

DSPS Eliminates Fees to Increase Participation in the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program

In early June, the state Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) announced that the agency is no longer charging fees to integrate the Enhanced Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (ePDMP) into electronic health record systems managed by health systems and other health care entities.  The intent is to simplify access for health care organizations, as well as increase wider participation within the health care community.  To apply for a no-monthly fee ePDMP integration or for more information, go to the ePDMP website.

Governor Evers Signs Order to Prevent Infant Formula Price Gouging

On May 26, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers signed an emergency order that states there is a “period of abnormal economic disruption” with respect to infant formula and prohibits retailers in Wisconsin from selling such formula at “unreasonably excessive prices”.  This is enforceable by the state’s price gouging law, which includes fines up to $10,000.  This emergency order is in effect for 90 days from May 26.

For more information on our state’s price gouging law, including how to file a formal complaint, go to:  https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Programs_Services/PriceGouging.aspx

Spotlight--2022 State Legislative Campaign – 19th State Senate District

Starting in this month’s newsletter, we will highlight one notable race for a particular state legislative district.  This month, we will highlight the 19^th Senate District, a Fox Valley district that includes the communities of Appleton, Menasha and Neenah. 

The 19^th Senate District is represented by Roger Roth (R-Appleton), who is currently running for the Republican nomination for Lieutenant Governor. With Senators Roth’s departure, the district could be competitive, as Senator Roth was re-elected to this position in 2018 with a margin of 6.5 percent over his Democratic opponent. However, the August 9 Republican primary will likely determine who will be the next Senator for the 19^th Senate District due to the Republican lean of this district. The following is a brief overview of the two Republican candidates seeking the nomination for the 19^th Senate District, as well as the one Democratic candidate. 

The candidates for the 19^th Senate District are Republicans Rachael Cabral-Guevara and Andrew Thomsen, as well as Democrat Kristin Alfheim. 

Rachael Cabral-Guevara is currently an incumbent State Representative, representing Neenah and portions of Menasha and Appleton in the 55th Assembly District.  She is a member of the Assembly Health Committee, in addition to working as a nurse practitioner.  Rep. Cabral-Guevara also operates the Nurse Practitioner Health Services, LLC clinic in Appleton.  Her healthcare platform includes medical transparency and accountability, fighting medical fraud and supporting mental health treatment/rehabilitation programs.    

Andrew Thomsen is a recently retired sales professional and small business owner with experience in the pulp and paper industry.  If elected, he intends to be a full-time legislator.  He is running on a platform that includes a number of issues, including health care policy.  According to his website, he notes the following related views:

• “Healthcare must be patient centered.”
• “Healthcare must adhere to free market principles in order to provide improved service at a reduced cost.”
• “Increased resources and funding for mental health research and treatment.”

Kristin Alfheim is a member of the City of Appleton’s Common Council and has served on the city’s Taskforce on Resiliency, Climate Mitigation and Adaptation.  She is currently a Retirement Income Certified Professional and has worked in the financial services and insurance industry for over 20 years.  In addition, she served as the president of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors in 2019, as well as on the organization’s board of directors.  Her campaign website addresses her view on a number of policy areas, including health care.  In particular, her website states the following:  “We need to reduce the administrative burdens on doctors and nurses so they can spend more time helping their patients.  Kristin also believes alternative medicine options may provide affordable, non-addictive solutions to add to our traditional protocols.”  

With Dr. Jasmine Zapata, MD, MPH

Stay Connected to Purpose to Improve Your Life and Those Around You

The past two years have turned our professional and personal lives upside-down. Early on, maybe we found new hobbies or returned to doing things we loved. As the pandemic elongated, maybe the wind was knocked out of our sails as we dealt with the relentless nature of this pandemic, the grief of losing family members and friends. By Connecting to Purpose, we have the chance to rewrite our story and heal.

My Story

I’ll never forget when I was five years old and announced to my family that I wanted to become a medical doctor. I remember sitting on my grandfather’s lap and telling him about my hopes and dreams to become a doctor and him saying, “Never give up on your dreams.” I promised him I wouldn’t. Despite many obstacles that came my way along the journey, I stayed connected to my purpose. It wasn’t always easy though. On November 17, 2007, I almost gave up. That was the day my younger 16-year-old brother died from a condition called Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP). At that moment, I almost gave up. He died just three months before my medical college admissions test and this was one of the hardest experiences of my life. How would I finish college? How would I support my grieving mother? How would I still get into medical school? How would I be able to go on without him? At that moment, I had two choices: I could give up OR I could keep moving forward. Many people ask what was my secret and how I was able to keep moving forward despite this difficult loss. The answer: I remember my purpose!  I knew me finishing college and going on to medical school was bigger than me. Me reaching my goals was connected to the destiny of so many others. I couldn’t give up!

I eventually made it into medical school, but soon after had another challenge that almost derailed me off my path. While in my second year of medical school, my husband and I learned that we were expecting a second child due on January 2. However, on September 20, I went into labor at just 25 weeks gestation. I’ll never forget hearing silence when my daughter was born. I didn’t know if she was going to live or die. She faced many life threatening complications over her three-month journey in the NICU. I again wondered how would I be able to still reach my dream of entering the field of medicine and public health. I was once again presented with two internal choices: I could either give up or keep going. I ultimately decided to keep going and was determined more than ever to reach my dream of becoming a medicine and public health leader. My daughter is healthy and well today. She is 11 years old and her premature birth was definitely tied into my ultimate purpose and story.  

The two stories above are just a few of the things I have experienced in my life. I made it past a lot of challenges. Because of my faith and staying connected to my purpose, I knew that I must keep going. I knew that everything that was happening to me was connected to some bigger purpose that was bigger than me. My ultimate mission as a researcher, a clinician, a state health leader, a community member, a mother, a wife is to “Heal, Uplift, and Inspire.” I wouldn’t be able to effectively live out my mission without going through some of the obstacles that I did. It now all makes sense now. Everything that I went through was connected with my ultimate purpose. And I still have much work to do!

Overall my journey taught me that there are so many social determinants of health that influences length of life and quality of life. I learned this through personal experiences but also through my work as a practicing physician. Seeing these issues firsthand led me to get my master’s in public health and eventually by board certification in the field of Preventive Medicine and Public Health. My purpose came full circle when I had the honor of stepping into the role of Chief Medical Officer for Community Health at the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. In this role, I am now able to work on some of the very root causes and social determinants of adverse health outcomes that I have seen personally over the years that impacted my own community and my patients. I am walking in my purpose!

Why it’s Important to Live with Purpose

Purpose is defined as the reason for which something exists or is created. Staying connected with a sense of purpose can help us navigate situations throughout our lifetime. Studies show that the more an individual is connected with a sense of purpose, they can live a longer life with decreased fear, and increased happiness and overall quality of life. It also helps people heal and process traumatic situations. (And I would argue that living through the pandemic counts as a traumatic situation).

Overall, all of us have the ability to connect to our unique purpose and this is so important so that we can create positive change in our lives and the lives of those around us.

Tips for Connecting to Purpose

1. Start small.
2. Notice the things that give you energy. Notice the things that take away your energy.
3. Remember why you came to this work.

Activity: Create a purpose board to remind yourself of your purpose.

1. What is my purpose here at (workplace)?
2. What is my purpose out of (workplace)?
3. Are these two things separate and distinct or are they connected?
4. What is my purpose in this world? Why was I created?

A purpose board can look like a photo collage, a journal entry, or a physical or digital scrapbook. It can include photos of you, your loved ones, your colleagues, and the places that inspire you. Look at this board when you need grounding, inspiration, and a reminder of what remains consistent through both your struggles and joys.

Stay encouraged everyone and always remember you have purpose!

Dr. Zapata is the Chief Medical Officer for community health promotion at the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. She also is a newborn hospitalist at UW Health and assistant professor of pediatrics. When she’s not busy in the hospital or office, “Dr. Jaz” is an author, mentor, and motivational speaker. She loves playing volleyball, swimming and spending time with her family to refresh and recharge.

Watch our video on how standardized terminology in EHR can impact large, medium-size, and small health departments as they address the unique challenges they each face. Video link: https://bit.ly/WALHDAB2022

On December 21, the Wisconsin Supreme Court agreed to hear an appeal of a lawsuit the Wisconsin Institute of Law and Liberty (WILL) – a conservative legal organization – filed on behalf of two Dane County residents against Public Health Madison & Dane County challenging their mask mandate.  Their argument contends that, under state statute, local public health directors do not have the authority to issue mask mandates – only local governmental legislative bodies (e.g., county boards) have the authority to do so.  WILL filed a related lawsuit in November 2020 directly with the Wisconsin Supreme Court but, at that time, the Wisconsin Supreme Court rejected that lawsuit, ruling that the lawsuit needed to be heard at the circuit court level first.  Subsequently, WILL filed such a lawsuit in Dane County Circuit Court and a judge ruled against WILL last summer.  WILL then appealed directly to the Wisconsin Supreme Court, bypassing the court of appeals.  This is the case that the state Supreme Court has agreed to hear.  Attorneys were directed to submit arguments to the court within 10 days of December 21.  However, it is unknown when the state Supreme Court will hear arguments.  According to media reports, the court could issue a ruling by summer 2022. 

Dane County Extends Mask Mandate

Due to high hospitalization rates and concerns regarding the Omicron COVID-19 variant, Dane County recently announced that it is extending its mask mandate until February 1, 2022.  In particular, it requires individuals who are two years old and older to wear a face covering inside while others are present.  The mandate includes an exception if all of the people in the enclosed space are fully vaccinated.  The previously issued mask mandate expired on January 3. 

FEMA Sending Medical Staff to Green Bay for COVID-19 Support

n December 21, Governor Evers and the Department of Health Services announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will be sending additional medical staff to support Bellin Health’s COVID-19 response in the Green Bay area.  Specifically, 20 U.S. Navy medical professionals will be stationed in the Green Bay area to provide this temporary support.

DHS Awards Grants to Promote Equity in COVID-19 Vaccinations

In early December, the Department of Health Services announced that they awarded $8.1 million to non-profit organizations throughout Wisconsin to work towards equity with respect to COVID-19 vaccinations.  The intention is for organizations who are trusted messengers in their respective communities to address vaccine hesitancy and accessibility to the vaccine – with a particular focus on communities of color and other underserved populations.

Evers Administration Announces $30 Million Investment in Food Security

Earlier this month, the Evers Administration announced that they are granting $30 million to the two largest hunger-focused non-profit organizations in the state – the Hunger Task Force and Feeding Wisconsin – to address food insecurity throughout Wisconsin.  In particular, each organization may receive up to $15 million to purchase food supplies and will be allowed to use up to $5 million to address storage and logistics costs.

Legislative Council Interim Study Committees

Assembly and Senate leadership will soon begin reviewing proposals for Interim Study Committees that will meet in 2022.  In even-numbered years, the Legislative Council - the legislature's in-house non-partisan group of attorney advisors - organizes study committees that perform in-depth reviews of various state policy matters facing Wisconsin.  Committees are comprised of both legislators and citizen members.

Study committees hold hearings, during which they hear public testimony – including from subject-matter experts – on state policies that may need to fixed or updated.  Once a committee has completed receiving public testimony, it generally drafts legislation for possible introduction and consideration by the legislature.  Hoven Consulting will keep an eye out for the study committees that are created – it is possible that one or more of the study committees could be of interest to WPHA/WALHDAB.  Also, if WPHA/WALHDAB would like to suggest the creation of a study committee on a particular topic, please let Hoven Consulting know. 

State Medicaid Director Resigning

According to media reports, state Medicaid Director Jim Jones will resign this month.  He served for nearly three years in this role at the Department of Health Services (DHS).  Lisa Olson, who currently serves as the Deputy Medicaid Director and previously served as the assistant deputy secretary at DHS, will take over as the Medicaid Director in January 2022.  Prior to her service at DHS, Ms. Olson worked at the Wisconsin Primary Health Care Association. 

Politicians on the Move

In early December, State Representative Amy Loudenbeck (R-Clinton) announced that she will not run for re-election in 2022 and will run for the statewide Secretary of State position instead.  She was elected to the State Assembly in 2010 and currently serves as the Vice Chair of Joint Committee on Finance.

Earlier this year, State Representative Gary Tauchen (R-Bonduel) was the first member to announce that he will not run for re-election in 2022.  He was first elected in 2006 and currently serves as the Chair of the Agriculture Committee.

On December 13, State Representative Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh), who is the Assembly Minority Leader, announced that he will step down from his leadership position on January 10, 2022.  He is a Democrat and was first elected to the Assembly in 2006.  He has not yet announced whether he will run for re-election to his Assembly seat in 2022. 

On December 20, State Representative Greta Neubauer (D-Racine) was elected by her colleagues to serve as the next Assembly Minority Leader.  Rep. Kalan Haywood (D-Milwaukee) was elected to serve as the next Assistant Minority Leader. 

In addition, State Representative Samantha Kerkman (R-Salem) recently announced that she will run for the position of Kenosha County Executive in the spring 2022 election.  She was first elected to the State Assembly in 2000 and currently serves as the Co-Chair of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee.

State Senator Jon Erpenbach (D-West Point) also recently announced that he will not run for re-election in 2022.  He was first elected in 1998.  He is a member of the Joint Finance Committee and the Senate Health Committee.

State Representative Dianne Hesselbein (D-Middleton) has announced that she will run to replace Sen. Erpenbach.  She was first elected in 2012.  She currently serves as the Assembly Assistant Minority Leader and she will step down from that position on February 14, 2022.  She currently serves on the Assembly Insurance Committee, among several other committees. 

State Representative Jeremy Thiesfeldt (R-Fond du Lac) has announced that he will not run for re-election next year.  He was first elected to the Assembly in 2010.  He currently serves as the Chair of the Assembly Education Committee. 

Special thank you to our speakers -  these orientations wouldn't be possible without your willingness to share!

Joan Theurer, Past Health Officer, Marathon County Health Department; Matthew Collie, Angela Nimsgern, and Chris Culotta, Wisconsin Department of Health Services; and Doug Gieryn, Winnebago County Health Department.

On June 15, the legislature’s budget-writing Joint Committee on Finance met to set funding levels for various divisions and programs with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services for the 2021-23 budget biennium.

Despite the hard work and effort of the Joint Public Affairs Committee, WPHA and WALHBAB members, and the Hoven Consulting/Badger Bay team, the Joint Committee on Finance did not allocate new dollars for local public health departments. 

However, the committee did make investments in the following programs:

• Public Health
• Community Health Center Grants: Increase grant funding for federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) by $1,000,000 annually.  

• Grants to Free and Charitable Clinics: Increase grant funding for free and charitable clinics by $1,000,000 annually.  

• Lead Screening and Outreach Grants: Provide $50,000 annually to increase a grant for lead screening and outreach activities provided by a community based human service agency that provides primary health care, health education, and social services to low-income individuals in the City of Milwaukee, from $125,000 to $175,000. 

• Medicaid
• Medical Assistance Cost-to-Continue Estimate: Provide funding of $1,361,991,300 in 2021-22 and $1,258,573,900 in 2022-23. In addition, adjust the cost-to-continue reestimate to provide $25,900,000  in 2021-22 and $51,400,000 in 2022-23, reflecting the impact of the Department's proposed rate increase to managed care organizations providing services under Family Care, PACE, and Partnership, subject to approval by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.  

• Nursing Home Reimbursement: Provide $82,034,300 in 2021-22 and $170,375,400 in 2022-23 to increase reimbursement rates paid to skilled nursing facilities and intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities. 

• Direct Care Workforce Funding: Provide $53,835,800 in 2021-22 and $50,403,200 in 2022-23 to increase funding for the direct care workforce funding supplement.  

• Personal Care Reimbursement: Provide $18,904,300 in 2021-22 and $59,369,300 in 2022-23 to increase hourly rates paid for personal care services to $20.69 on January 1, 2022, and to $22.35 on January 1, 2023. 

• Postpartum Eligibility Extension: Provide $2,500,000 in 2022-23 to reflect the estimated cost of extending benefits, for women enrolled in MA as pregnant women, until the last day of the month in which the 90th day after the last day of the month that the end of the pregnancy falls, instead of the 60th day under current law.

• Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and Child-Adolescent Day Treatment Reimbursement: Provide $6,628,100 in 2021- 22 and $13,256,200 in 2022-23 for a 15% increase to reimbursement rates for outpatient mental health and substance abuse services, effective January 1, 2022; and provide $1,335,600 in 2021-22 and $2,671,200 in 2022-23 for a 20% increase to reimbursement rates for child and adolescent day treatment services, effective January 1, 2022.  

• Medication-Assisted Treatment: Provide $1,224,400 in 2021-22 and $2,448,700 in 2022-23 to increase MA reimbursement rates for opioid treatment providers by 5% and increase rates for opioid-related patient evaluation and management (office visits) provided by primary care providers by $5 per visit.

• MA Dental Reimbursement: Provide $15,432,800 in 2021-22 and $30,865,800 in 2022-23 to increase MA dental reimbursement rates by 40%, effective January 1, 2022. 

• Home Health Reimbursement Rate: Provide a budgeted sum of $473,300 as the state share of payments, and provide the matching federal share of payments, in 2021-22, and by a budgeted sum of $960,200, as the state share of payments and provide the matching federal share  of payments, in 2022-23, for the Department to increase the Medical Assistance rates paid for nursing care in home health agencies for dates of services beginning January 1, 2022. Specify that funding is to support licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, and nurse practitioners in home health agencies that are licensed under s. 50.49 of the statutes.

• Elder and Disability Services
• Birth to 3: Provide $1,125,000 annually in order for the Department to meet its federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) maintenance of effort (MOE) requirement for the Birth to 3 program in the 2021-23 biennium.  

• Community Based Behavioral Health
• Child Psychiatry Consultation Program: Provide $500,000 in 2022-23 to increase from $1,500,000 to $2,000,000 the funding for the child psychiatry consultation program in that year.

• Medication-Assisted Treatment Expansion: Provide $500,000 in 2021-22 and $1,000,000 in 2022-23 in the Joint Committee on Finance supplemental appropriation for medication-assisted treatment.  

• Methamphetamine Addiction Treatment Grants: Provide $150,000 in 2021-22 and $300,000 in 2022-23 in the Joint Committee on Finance supplemental appropriation for training for substance use disorder treatment providers on treatment models for methamphetamine addiction.    

• Substance Use Disorder Treatment Platform: Provide $300,000 in 2022-23 in the Joint Committee on Finance supplemental appropriation for development of a substance use disorder treatment platform that allows for the comparison of treatment programs in the state.  

• Behavioral Health Bed Tracker: Provide $50,000 in 2021-22 and $20,000 in 2022-23 to expand the purposes of the current psychiatric bed tracking system to include information on the availability of space for peer run respite beds and crisis stabilization beds.  

• Behavioral Health Trainee Provider Grants: Provide $250,000 GPR in 2022-23 in the appropriation for treatment program grants, to increase total funding for the program in that year to $750,000. Modify the program to: (a) specify that the Department may expend any available federal moneys received for this program; (b) require the Department to distribute a total of $750,000 per year, beginning in 2022-23; and (c) renumber the appropriation so that it is included as an appropriation under mental health and substance abuse services instead of under public health.  

Additionally, the committee adopted the following funding proposal for a program at the Department of Children and Families:

• Wisconsin Shares Child Care Subsidies: Increase funding for direct child care subsidies by $11,000,000 FED in 2021-22 and by $18,200,000 in 2022-23 so that the reimbursement rates would fully pay the price of at least 65 percent of the slots for children within the licensed capacity of all child care providers. 

The proposals were adopted by the committee on a party line vote of 11-4. While these items will be included in the legislature's budget proposal, they will only be enacted if the budget bill is passed by both houses and the bill is signed by Governor Evers.

WPHA/WALHDAB’s lobbyists, Tim Hoven and Erik Kanter, continue to lobby the legislature to pass the initiatives we support and will provide updates as they are available.

WPHA/WALHDAB Stand Up for Transgender Athletes

WPHA and WALHDAB oppose legislation recently passed the State Assembly barring transgender females from participating in girls sports. Assembly Bill 196 passed the Assembly on June 16 on a party line vote.

Proponents of the bill argue the legislation protects fair competition in women’s sports. Opponents, including WPHA/WALHDAB, believe the legislation unnecessarily marginalizes a small percentage of Wisconsin students and unfairly bars them from participating in sports with their peers. In essence, the legislation fosters a lack of equity in opportunity.

While Assembly Bill 196 passed the Assembly, and may likely pass the Senate, Governor Evers has already stated his staunch opposition to the legislation all but guaranteeing the bill would be vetoed.

Legislature Takes Action on “Vaccination Discrimination”

WPHA/WALHDAB Oppose Measures

In June, the Wisconsin State Assembly too action on five separate pieces of legislation intended to limit the ability of businesses, governments, and other institutions to make requirements regarding vaccines in order to preserve the health and safety of those entities. WPHA and WALHDAB oppose the legislation on the grounds they do not reflect public health best practices.

Assembly Bill 299 forbids governments, businesses, or any other entity in the state from requiring a person to provide proof that the person has received a vaccine against COVID-19 as a condition of receiving any services, transacting any business, accessing any building, or participating in any function. Essentially, the bill forbids “vaccine passports” in the state. The legislation passed the State Assembly on June 16 on a party line vote.

Assembly Bill 303 prohibits any business or legal entity in the state from discriminating against any customer, client, or potential customer or client, based on that person’s vaccination record. Assembly Bill 309 places vaccination status into the section of state statute regarding antidiscrimination, essentially getting at the same “vaccination discrimination” idea of Assembly Bill 303. The bill passed the Assembly Committee on Constitution and Ethics on June 9, but has not been brought to the floor for a vote.

Assembly Bill 316 prohibits the state and local governments from discriminating against an individual who has not received a COVID-19 vaccination. Similarly, the bill passed the Assembly Committee on Constitution and Ethics on June 9, but has not received a vote on the Assembly floor.

Finally, Assembly Bill 347 prohibits the University of Wisconsin system from requiring students or prospective students to be tested for, or receive a vaccine against, COVID-19 as a condition of attendance or presence on campus.

The legislation is counter public health best practices. WPHA and WALHDAB support the rights of businesses, governments, and institutions to determine public safety measures for their patrons, customers, and citizens. While only one bill has passed the State Assembly, none of the bills have passed the State Senate. Should one or any of these bills pass the full legislature, WPHA/WALHDAB plans to request a veto and it is unlikely Governor Evers would sign the legislation into law.

Click here for the Legislative Grid

Present your work in the 2021 Virtual Poster Hall

DEADLINE: April 26, 2021

Both the Public Health Conference and then Public Health in Practice Conference will be held virtually this year.  This shift to a virtual format for both conferences allows participants in the Virtual Poster Hall DOUBLE the exposure with the opportunity to have your poster included in the poster hall that will expand the two conferences. 

The Planning Committees are now accepting abstracts for the Virtual Poster Hall. Please consider presenting your work as a poster in the 2021 Virtual Poster Hall.  If selected, participants will need to be able to send a PDF of their poster to the WPHA office to be displayed on the WPHA website.  Details are still being confirmed for poster hall presentation and Q&A sessions during both conferences. 

Consider submitting your abstract for consideration today!

CLICK HERE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION & TO SUBMIT

2021 Annual Public Health Virtual Conference
May 25-27, 2021
Consider presenting virtually at the 2021 Public Health Conference! 

DEADLINE: JANUARY 15

Learn More & Submit your Abstract

Do you have research, a program or presentation you would to share with your WI public health colleagues? Consider presenting at the 2021 Public Health Virtual Conference and share your work and ideas!

Conference Description:
Whether you are a student, new professional, emerging leader, or long-time practitioner, researcher, or trail blazer in public health, this conference is for you! You may be looking forward to new professional opportunities, reflecting back on your career path, or at any point along the way. Throughout this journey, there are so many occasions, just like this conference, to learn something new – either new information about a topic you are deeply immersed in, a new topic altogether, or a topic that challenges your current perspective or practice. As we each focus on different and diverse communities, health outcomes, and determinants of health that fall under the broad umbrella of public health, there are numerous possibilities for collaboration – intentionally and creatively – across disciplines, across geography, and across the political spectrum. Effective public health programs and policies are often only achieved through collaboration and almost always require strong leadership. Leaders exist at all levels, and we can all learn to lead in our current roles or we may envision ourselves moving into new positions as managers, directors, CEOs, or elected officials. Learning, collaborating, and leading together are key actions that will move us closer to our shared vision of health equity for all. 

If you are interested in joining or being considered for the co-chair position please email the WALHDAB Office at WALHDAB@badgerbay.co

While most sitting legislators were either unchallenged or were expected to handily win their primaries, we had our eyes on the following races: 

• 60th Assembly District GOP Primary - Ozaukee County: Rep. Brooks v Chris Reimer
• 82nd Assembly District GOP Primary - Franklin: Rep. Skowronski  v Theodore Kafkas
• 90th Assembly District Dem Primary - Green Bay: Rep. Staush Gruszynski v Kristina Shelton
• 6th Senate District Dem Primary - Milwaukee: Sen. LaTonya Johnson v Michelle Bryant
• 10th Senate District GOP Primary - Northwest Wisconsin: Rep. Stafsholt v Cherie Link

After votes were totaled, the only incumbent to lose was Democrat Representative Staush Gruszynski, who faced a tough reelection bid following allegations of sexual harassment from a legislative staffer earlier this year

Also of note, State Senator and Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald won the Republican Primary in the 5th Congressional District. Fitzgerald is seeking to replace longtime Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner, who is not seeking reelection. Fitzgerald's primary victory essentially guarantees his seat in Congress as the 5th District is overwhelmingly conservative. With Fitzgerald leaving the Senate, the Republican caucus will now be in search of a new Majority Leader, the most powerful position in the State Senate.

The state is now set for the November 3 general election. All 99 Assembly seats are up for election as well as 16 of the 33 Senate seats. For complete primary results, please see here.

Yesterday also marked the release of a new Marquette University Law School poll, which provides the latest insight on voter preferences 3 months out from the presidential elections as well as opinions on handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and popularity of masking.

According to the new numbers, former Vice President Joe Biden leads President Donald Trump 49% to 44% respectively. In June Biden held a six point lead. 

Trump's approval rating dropped one point since the last poll to 44%. His disapproval rating increased 3 points to 54%.

In his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, Trump's approval rating hit a new low at 40% with 58% disapproving of his handling of the issue.

In contrast, Democratic Governor Tony Evers received a 57% overall approval rating; a three point increase since June. Additionally, his disapproval rating dropped one point to 37%.

Evers' handling of the COVID-19 pandemic also increased three points to 61% and decreased two points to 35% since June.

The poll was in the field after Evers issued his statewide mask mandate. According to the poll, 69% of respondents agreed that masks should be required in all public places versus 29% who disagreed. When those numbers are broken down by political affiliation there is a stark difference. 93% of Democrats agree with masking requirements versus 43% of Republicans who also agree. 

WPHA and WALHDAB are working together to re-organize the Public Health in Practice Conference taking place in Oshkosh, WI, August 11-12, 2020 to be a combined conference with the Annual Public Health Conference. Our goal is to provide attendees with robust conference with timely information and time to network with friends. 

Certainly, there are many details to be worked out. Those currently registered for the Annual Public Health Conference will be receiving a separate email with next steps in regard to their registration and hotel reservations once we have additional details. Please know we are in the process of updating deadlines and website promotions as soon as possible.

WPHA and WALHDAB would like to sincerely thank everyone for their patience and understanding during this difficult time. We would also like to thank all our members for the continued work they are doing in their communities. Additional information will also be sent to speakers, vendors, etc, within the next few weeks as logistics and updates are made.

If you have any urgent concerns or question, please contact WALHDAB@badgerbay.co.

Special thank you to our speakers -  these orientations wouldn't be possible without your willingness to share!

Erik Kanter, Hoven Consulting; Betsy Lawton, Network for Public Health Law; Linda Conlon, Oneida County Health Department; Kate Louther, Public Health Madison & Dane County; Marci Paulsen, City of Madison; Lieske Giese, Eau Claire City-County Health Department; and Joan Theurer, Marathon County Health Department

Highlights included a DPH Leadership Panel and a tour of the Division of Public Health Offices in Madison. 

This session featured graduation of five health officers! WALHDAB wishes you success as a graduated Health Officer!

AZ Snyder, Pierce County Health Department pictured with Tim Ringhand, WI DPH Western Regional Office.	Susan Powers, Door County Health & Human Services pictured with Angela Nimsgern, WI DPH Northern Regional Office.	Elizabeth Townsend, Lafayette County Health Department pictured with Christina Beach- Baumgartner, WI DPH Southern Regional Office
Jacee Shepard, Forest County Health Department pictured with Angela Nimsgern, WI DPH Northern Regional Office.	KT Gallagher, Dunn County Health Department pictured with Tim Ringhand, WI DPH Western Regional Office.

This session was followed by a presentation on Change Management, by Linda Conlon from the Oneida County Health Department.  Linda provided our new local health officers with a number of tools and strategies for navigating the ever changing public health landscape.  

As we continue to try to update and improve orientation session, we were pleased to welcome Bonnie Kolbe, Health Officer for Calumet County and Todd Romenesko the Calumet County, County Administrator.  Bonnie and Todd provided a "new" presentation for this orientation session on Local County Government and the Board of Health Relationship.  They provided helpful insight on the various structures new local health officers may be experiencing in their various jurisdictions and discussed the importance of building relationships within that structure and with your board of health members.  Day one of the orientation then concluded with one of the most popular presentations of the orientation program, Communications Training provided by Ann McCall from the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute and Spencer Straub from the Tobacco Prevention and Control Program, Department of Health Services.  This session allowed attendees to do mock interviews and discuss mapping out messages for media interviews, etc.  

Day two of the orientation welcomed Mary Dorn, Health Officer for Outagamie County.  Mary provided a session on Supervision and Operationalizing Your Budget.  These sessions are always very well received by participants as they provide practical examples and real stories from the field.  Mary co-presented on budget details with Kären Drogsvold and Yvette Smith from the Division of Public to provide attendees with details and specifics on the various systems used by the state to coordinate funding with local health departments.  Doug Gieryn, Winnebago County Health Department and Jed Wohlt, Waupaca County Health Department then provided a presentation on Human Health Hazards.  Doug and Jed provided great examples and resources for attendees (in addition to great pictures). The June orientation concluded with presentations by Christy Vogt and Connie Bell from the Division of Public Health.  Christy and Connie shared resources available for local health departments related to environmental public health tracking and communicable disease. 

Thank you to all of our presenters for making the trip to Stevens Point, WI to present to our newest cohort of local health officers!  If you are ever interested in presenting as part of our new local health officer orientation series, please contact Julie at the WALHDAB office.  These sessions would not be possible without the ability to share the experience of those of you in the field.  Please consider joining us as a presenter at a future session!    

 Congratulations to our most recent orientation graduates!  

Abby Sauer,Dodge County Health Department pictured with Christina Beach-Baumgartner, WI DPH Southern Regional Office.	Dawn Brost,Rusk County Health Department pictured with Christina Beach-Baumgartner, WI DPH Southern Regional Office.
Sarah Miller, Burnett County Department of Health and Human Services pictured with Tim Ringhand, WI DPH Western Regional Office.

“Funding for this event was made possible, in part, by the Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services, nor does the mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.”

This session included graduation of three health officer, Erica Bergstrom from Walworth County Public Health Department,  Diane Liebenthal from Sheboygan County Health and Human Services Department-Division of Public Health and Melanie Tatge from Forest County Potawatomi Health and Wellness Center.  Congratulations to Erica, Diane and Melanie!  WALHDAB wishes you success as a graduated Health Officer!

Special thank you to our speakers, these orientations wouldn't be possible without your willingness to share!

Brittney Bauerly, Staff Attorney, The Network for Public Health Law-Northern Region; Jennifer Ullsvik, Attorney, Wisconsin Department of Health Services; Linda Conlon, RN, BAN, MPH, Oneida County Health Department; Sue Kunferman, RN, MSN, CPM, Wood County Health Department; Elizabeth (Lieske) Giese, RN, MSPH, Eau Claire City-County Health Department; Cynthia H. Johnson, RN, MEd., Kenosha County Division of Health; and Kathy Munsey, RN, Green Lake County.

Also a special thanks to our partners and guests from DPH for joining us to meet our newest local health officers!

Erica Bergstrom, Walworth County Public Health Department pictured with Dawn Mumaw, WI DPH Southeastern Regional Office	Diane Liebenthal from Sheboygan County Health and Human Services Department-Division of Public Health pictured with Christina Beach-Baumgartner, WI DPH Southern Regional Office
Melanie Tatge from Forest County Potawatomi Health and Wellness Center pictured with Christina Beach-Baumgartner, WI DPH Southern Regional Office

This session included graduation of one health officer, Cheri Nickell from Washburn County Health & Human Services and Barb Barczak from Trempealeau County Health Department.  Congrats Cheri and Barb! WALHDAB wishes you success as a graduated Health Officer!

Special thank you to our speakers, these orientations wouldn't be possible without your willingness to share!

Jason Hausler, Community Development Educator, UW- Extension, Marathon County; Carol Quest, Health Officer/Director, Watertown Department of Public Health; David Pluymers, Assistant Director, Rock County Public Health Department; Joan Theurer, Health Officer, Marathon County Health Department; Gary Garske, Health Officer, Health Division Coordinator, Portage County Health and Human Services Department; Patti Wohlfeil, Health Officer/Director, Waushara County Health Department; and Jen Rombalski, Health Officer, La Crosse County Health Department

Spring Graduate, Barb, from Trempealeau County Health Department with Western Region Office Director, Tim Ringhand.		Spring graduate, Cheri, from Washburn County Health & Human Services with Western Region Office Director, Tim Ringhand.

Highlights included a DPH Leadership Panel and a tour of the Division of Public Health Offices in Madison. 

This session featured graduation of two health officers, Anna Destree, Brown County and Laura Conklin,City of Wauwatosa. WALHDAB wishes you success as a graduated Health Officer!

Special thank you to our speakers -  these orientations wouldn't be possible without your willingness to share!

Dan Carpenter, Hoven Consulting; Brittney Bauerly, Network for Public Health Law; Jennifer Ullsvik, Dept. of Health Services; Linda Conlon, Oneida County Health Officer; Jan Klawitter, WI State Lab of Hygiene; Kathy Munsey, Green Lake County Health Officer; Cindy Johnson, Kenosha County Health Officer. 

There were a total of eight new health officers in attendance, four of which belong to a new training cohort. The training was held in Wausau, Wisconsin at the Jefferson Street Inn.

The summer session included a packed schedule that covered the topics of Colors Communication (training refresher), Communication, Human Health Hazards, Board of Health Relationships, Supervision, Budget: Funding and Billing, and Change Management. The new health officers shared enthusiasm for their new roles and acknowledged the value this training provides. 

Special thank you to our speakers Melissa Kono, UW- Extension; Stephanie Richards, Healthy Wisconsin Leadership Institute; Jeff Kindrai, Grant County; Sue Kunferman, Wood County; Donna Rozer, Wood County Board of Health; Mary Dorn, Outagamie County; Patti Wohlfeil, Waushara County; Rob Sommerfeld, DPH; Yvette Smith, DPH; Cynthia Bodendein, Sauk County; Linda Conlon, Oneida County. 

Congratulations to our newest orientation graduate, Jayme Schenk,  from Marquette County!

Event highlights include a colors communication training, learning about stress reduction and collective impact, exploring the new trends for modernizing health departments, diving into local health department budgeting, and learning about the many CHIPP resources available. The training ended with a session on What is it really like to be a new LHO, that provided some perspective as the LHO’s continue on into their first year.

Congratulations to our newest orientation graduate Kathy Ronchi from Douglas County!

Special thanks to our speakers Connie Creighton, UW- Extension; Joan Theurer, Marathon County; Gary Garske, Portage County; Dave Pluymers, DPH; Sara Jesse, WALHDAB/CHIA; Jaime Bodden, Shawano- Menominee.