http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/wi-fair-maps-s5.jpgVirtual live hearings have included more than 1,000 people from 65 counties and 245 municipalities, take less than 6 months. Commissioners move into next phase of map-drawing process.

Evers signs Bill to increase transparency in prescription drug supply chain during visit.

WAUSAU — Gov. Tony Evers today visited the Bridge Community Clinic in Wausau to tour their vaccine program and highlight his Badger Bounceback agenda’s investments in affordable and accessible healthcare. The governor also signed Senate Bill 3, which will increase transparency in the prescription drug supply chain by creating licensing and practice requirements for pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) in the state of Wisconsin. 

“The prescription drug supply chain can be a confusing and opaque system that often sends folks jumping through hoops just to access their life-saving medications. That's just wrong. Period,” said Gov. Evers. “PBMs play a critical role in the drug supply chain and determining out-of-pocket costs for patients, but frankly, they don't have a lot of oversight or accountability. This bill takes important steps forward in increasing transparency and looking out for Wisconsin's most vulnerable. 

“I also want to thank former State Representative Deb Kolste for her good work on this bill. While she couldn't join me for the bill signing today, she championed this bill in the Legislature for years and I don't believe it would be on my desk today if it weren't for her early and persistent advocacy for this bill and for the people of Wisconsin.”

Former State Representative Deb Kolste served in the Wisconsin State Legislature representing Wisconsin's 44th Assembly District since 2013. She introduced this bill over multiple legislative sessions before retiring from the Legislature in 2020. 

“Pharmacy benefit managers play an outsized role in patient access to medications and in the health and wellness of our state,” said former State Representative Deb Kolste (D-Janesville). “Despite their ubiquity and importance to prescription drugs, there is virtually no regulation of these businesses in Wisconsin. Thankfully, that changes today. This is an important consumer protection and first step in increasing transparency in prescription drug pricing.”

Senate Bill 3, now Wisconsin Act 9, among other provisions:

• Requires a PBM to be licensed by the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI);
• Requires a PBM to submit an annual report to the OCI regarding the amount of rebates received from the drug manufacturer and what percentage of that rebate was retained by the PBM and not passed down to consumers as cost savings;
• Empowers OCI to require reports or conduct examinations of licensees to prevent misconduct and ensure consumer protections;
• Prohibits PBM gag clauses that prevent pharmacists from informing patients of more affordable alternative options;
• Requires two-weeks notice from a PBM before an audit of a pharmacy and prohibits retroactive claim reductions or denials by PBMs with certain exceptions;
• Prohibits a PBM from charging a copay greater than the amount that the pharmacy would charge a patient not using insurance;
• Requires 30 days written notice of any drug formulary changes that removes the individual's prescription drug from the formulary or that reassigns the drug to a benefit tier with a higher deductible, copayment, or coinsurance; and
• Ensures pharmacies post signage informing customers of legal drug substitutions and how to find the FDA's approved list.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/drug-cost-s5.jpgGovernor hosts roundtable on the rising costs of prescription drugs, says picking up your medications shouldn't break the bank. Many Wisconsinites affected by this crisis firsthand.

Action and Healing Needed in Wake of Increasing Violence Against Asian American and Pacific Islander Communities.

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers announced on Thursday that he will join the #StopAsianHate Virtual Wisconsin Day of Action and Healing tomorrow, Fri., March 26, 2020, and encourages Wisconsinites to participate in support of our Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community and to reach out to their AAPI family, friends, and neighbors.

“Bigotry, discrimination, and racialized violence toward Asian American and Pacific Islander elders, families, and community members is not new in our country. But over this past year, we’ve seen an alarming increase in anti-Asian harassment and violence as individuals even at the highest levels of government have used xenophobic and racist rhetoric to stoke fear around the coronavirus pandemic,” said Gov. Evers.

Anti-Asian incidents and violence against Asian Americans have surged over the past year as there has been increased racist rhetoric surrounding the coronavirus pandemic. Since March of last year, according to Stop AAPI Hate, there have been nearly 3,800 hate incidents self-reported by Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, though those numbers are likely higher due to underreporting. The governor last week echoed President Joe Biden's calls for attacks on Asian Americans to stop. The next day, on March 16, 2021, six of eight people killed in an Atlanta mass shooting were Asian American women. Wisconsinites across the state last week hosted rallies against anti-Asian violence and in support of the AAPI community. The governor spoke with members of the AAPI community as there is more work to be done in partnering to support our AAPI communities across the state.

“The harassment, attacks, and violence against our Asian American and Pacific Islander family members, friends, and neighbors has to stop,” Gov. Evers said. “I call on Wisconsinites to help end this dangerous rhetoric and condemn racist harassment, attacks, and violence. We can all do more.”

Tomorrow, March 26, the AAPI Coalition of Wisconsin is hosting a #StopAsianHate Virtual Wisconsin Day of Action and Healing and joining AAPI organizations and community leaders across the country in a #StopAsianHate Virtual Day of Action and Healing. The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. More details for joining are available here. A day of action toolkit is available here for those who are unable to join the virtual event but who are interested in joining the conversation on social media.

Fourth DHS community-based vaccination clinic to open

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) announced today that the fourth community-based vaccination clinic in the state will open in Marathon County on April 6. The site will be located at the Northcentral Technical College—Center for Business and Industry Building in Wausau.

“Through the dedication of our vaccine team, local public health, and other partners, the first three community clinics have been successful, and Wisconsin continues to be a national leader in using available supply. We are excited to build upon these partnerships and be able to open this vaccination clinic in Wausau,” said Gov. Evers. “These vaccination clinics continue to serve Wisconsin by giving folks more options to get vaccinated. And in doing so, bring us all one step closer to getting back to our Wisconsin way of life.”

Initially, the clinic plans to administer at least 400 doses per day and has the ability to do up to 1,000 doses per day. The number of doses administered will depend on how much vaccine Wisconsin receives from the federal government. The clinic will first schedule vaccinations for those on the Marathon County Health Department’s waitlist with priority for those who are age 65 and older, educators, and child care staff. After those appointments are scheduled, the clinic will then begin scheduling appointments for anyone currently eligible for the vaccine.

The clinic will be open Tuesday through Saturday, from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Individuals must register for an appointment using the Wisconsin COVID-19 Vaccine Registry. After registration, eligible individuals will be notified of the opportunity to schedule their appointment when openings become available. For vaccine-related questions and appointment registration support, individuals can call toll-free at (844) 684-1064. For more information on available COVID-19 vaccination options, visit the Where can I get vaccinated? webpage.

“For seven years, I had the privilege to serve Marathon County as their Public Health Officer and called Wausau home for many years,” said DHS Deputy Secretary Julie Willems Van Dijk. “I want to encourage everyone in north central Wisconsin to get vaccinated as soon as they have the opportunity. These vaccines are not only incredibly safe but they are very effective at preventing illness from COVID-19. And these vaccines save lives.”

The DHS community-based clinic in Marathon County is operated by AMI Expeditionary Healthcare through collaboration with Marathon County Health Department, Northcentral Technical College, area health care system providers, and other local partners. Locations are selected to address gaps in vaccine access and support vaccination efforts. Various factors including population demographics, local health capacity, operations, and concentration of other vaccine providers are taken into consideration when planning for clinics.

Other DHS community-based vaccination clinics include Rock County that opened on February 16, La Crosse County that opened on March 9, and Racine County which opened on March 23. As of March 20, the Rock County location has administered 5,703 total vaccine doses, and La Crosse County has administered 2,021 total vaccine doses.

For up-to-date information about Wisconsin’s COVID-19 response, visit the DHS COVID-19 webpage. We encourage you to follow @DHSWI on Facebook, Twitter, or dhs.wi on Instagram for more information on COVID-19.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/hochunknation-members-s5.jpgBeloit project expected to create more than 1,500 long-term jobs, 2,000 construction jobs.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/women-preparing-lead-s5.jpgIn honor of Women’s History Month, Sen. Smith writes about five inspiring women from west-central Wisconsin.

$5.7 billion of federal American Rescue Plan funds would be controlled by the Legislature, not the Governor, under GOP plan.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/guns-boulder-shooting-dpost-s5.jpgWe must treat domestic terrorism and gun violence as a national crisis, says Agard.

Signs Senate Bill 13 Allowing Dentists to Administer COVID-19 Vaccines

MILWAUKEE — Gov. Tony Evers today signed Senate Bill (SB) 13, now Wisconsin Act 8, while visiting the UW-Milwaukee COVID-19 vaccine site. SB 13 allows dentists to administer COVID-19 and flu vaccines under certain circumstances, including completing an eight hour course of study and training on vaccine storage, protocols, administration technique, emergency procedures, and record keeping and must have in effect liability insurance meeting certain requirements. 

“Wisconsin has been consistently at the top as a leader in the nation in getting available shots in arms, and that's in part because Wisconsinites are always ready to roll up their sleeves and help,” said Gov. Evers. “It's all hands on deck and dentists have the right knowledge and experience to get shots in arms quickly and safely, and we know we can use their help to get this done and to put the pandemic behind us.”

Senate Bill 13, now Wisconsin Act 8, allows dentists to administer COVID-19 and flu vaccines under certain circumstances, including completing an eight hour course of study and training on vaccine storage, protocols, administration technique, emergency procedures, and record keeping and must have in effect liability insurance meeting certain requirements. The bill requires that a dentist update the Wisconsin Immunization Registry within seven days of administering a COVID-19 or flu vaccine. Additionally, it provides that a dentists may not administer a COVID-19 or flu vaccine to a child under the age of six unless it is prescribed and they have completed specific training to do so.