News & Events
HealthWatch WatchDog Previews the HWW Conference!
The HealthWatch Wisconsin WatchDog kicks off its fifth season with a sneak peek at the HealthWatch Wisconsin Conference. Watch it now!
Congratulations to the Winners of the 2011 HealthWatch Wisconsin Awards!
Thank you to all of the HealthWatch Wisconsin members and subscribers who submitted nominations for this year’s HealthWatch awards. We received more nominations than ever, and with so many outstanding efforts put forth in 2011, it wasn't easy to choose just one winner for each category. But after much deliberation by the HealthWatch Wisconsin Council's Executive Committee, we are pleased to announce our winners:
- Advocate of the Year: Susan Garcia Franz, Well Woman Program Coordinator; Tri-County HealthWatch Coalition
- Outstanding Outreach Effort: The Save BadgerCare Coalition, coordinated by Sara Finger
- Outstanding Media Coverage: Shawn Doherty, The Capital Times
The ceremony to honor these individuals for their outstanding work in the field of public health will coincide with the 5th Annual HealthWatch Wisconsin Conference. Join us Tuesday, February 28, 2012, from 12:45pm-1:15pm at the Best Western Inn on the Park, Hall of Wisconsin Ballroom.
We'll recognize our winners during a special awards luncheon . If you plan to attend the conference, you can register here. If you would just like to come for the awards reception, please RSVP to Adam at ABC for Health (608-261-6939 ext. 204).
UPDATED AGENDA! A new working conference agenda has been released. CLICK HERE
Press Release
The Real Fraud About the "Medicaid Fraud Investigations"
The Legislative Audit Committee will convene a public hearing February 1, 2012 on the Audit Bureau’s Medicaid Audit Report. “While the audit raises serious concerns about the administration of Wisconsin’s Medicaid programs, it also leaves many unanswered questions about DHS operations and motives behind new anti-fraud initiatives,” says Bobby Peterson, public interest attorney and director of ABC for Health. “According to the audit, documented cases of fraud resulted in 2010-2011 recoveries equal to approximately 0.005 of 1% of Medicaid spending,” continued Peterson.
Click here to read the full press release.
The HealthWatch Wisconsin Reporter publication raises additional concerns and unanswered questions related to the Audit.
Agenda Now Available for Our 5th Annual Conference! Register Today!
Madison will be the place to be as we head towards spring! With a Presidential primary looming and "recall fever" is in the air, we'll gather elected officials, candidates, experts and more to discuss our featured topic "Waive Goodbye to Medicaid? Not if We Can Help it!" and get perspectives on the future of health coverage in Wisconsin. Advocates, public health, nurses, social workers and many more health professionals from across Wisconsin are encouraged to attend. CLICK HERE FOR THE AGENDA.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.
What: HealthWatch Wisconsin’s “Waive Goodbye to Medicaid? Not if we can help it!”
When: Monday and Tuesday, February 27-28, 2012
Where: Inn on the Park, Madison, WI
Press Release
Walker Administration Blinks on Threatened Medicaid Cuts for 53,000 People
As expected, Governor Walker and Department of Health Services Secretary Dennis Smith “adjusted” Medicaid budget numbers, and commuted the termination of 53,000 Wisconsin adults from vital health coverage available through the BadgerCare program. “We knew from the start that Walker’s budget cut numbers were inflated for political effect and negotiating leverage with CMS,” said Bobby Peterson, public interest attorney and Executive Director of ABC for Health.
Click here to read the press release.
Click here to read the letter ABC for Health submitted to the Feds on Wisconsin’s proposed cuts.
ABC for Health Submits Comments to the Feds on Wisconsin’s Proposed Medicaid Cuts
On Thursday, December 22, 2011, ABC for Health submitted a letter to the Deputy Administrator of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), urging them to “stand firm against the Walker Administration not request and not be bullied into a premature response.” The letter speaks to the very definition of a Social Security Act section 1115 demonstration waiver, arguing that what Wisconsin’s Health Secretary Dennis Smith has put forward is “not an appropriate wavier request.” In addition, ABC for Health reminds CMS that elements of the request, such as the requirement to count all “household members” income when determining eligibility, differs from the standards of the Affordable Care Act and may be potentially illegal. To read the full letter, click here.
HealthWatch Opens Registration for its 5th Annual Conference!
Madison will be the place to be as we head towards spring! As a Presidential primary approaches and "recall fever" is in the air, we'll gather elected officials, candidates, experts and more to discuss our featured topic "Waive Goodbye to Medicaid? Not if We Can Help it!" and get perspectives on the future of health coverage in Wisconsin! HealthWatch Wisconsin opens registration for its annual conference, bringing together advocates, public health, nurses, social workers and many more health professionals from across Wisconsin. After five years, HealthWatch has much to celebrate. Yet, with Medicaid and BadgerCare being threatened, there's never been a more important time to continue the momentum.
CLICK HERE FOR REGISTRATION INFORMATION.
What: HealthWatch Wisconsin’s “Waive Goodbye to Medicaid? Not if we can help it!”
When: Monday and Tuesday, February 27-28, 2012
Where: Inn on the Park, Madison, WI
Cost: Register Early for an Early Bird Discount! Save up to 15%!!
Discounts apply for HealthWatch Wisconsin members and subscribers. Additional discounts of up to 15% apply to those registering early, by 5:00pm on JANUARY 6, 2012. To view all cost options, see the registration page.
ABC for Health Unveils Its Pathway Plan for 2012 - An Alternative to the DHS Proposal
On Thursday, November 3, ABC for Health unveiled “The Pathway Plan for 2012,” a creative and cost effective public-private partnership and an alternative to Wisconsin’s Department of Health Services proposed, destructive cuts to BadgerCare and Medicaid. Bobby Peterson, public interest attorney, director of ABC for Health and author of the plan implores the Joint Finance Committee to take a smarter approach and examine better alternative to the DHS plan that rips massive holes in the successful BadgerCare pool. Peterson says the Pathway Plan for 2012 could eventually cover all Wisconsin residents while providing high-quality care, continued choice, and strong consumer protections. “While building from a solid foundation, the Pathway Plan for 2012 proposes to expand health care coverage, significantly lower costs, and ensure that all Wisconsinites have access to both coverage and quality medical services.”
Click Here to read the Pathway Plan for 2012
Click Here to read an Opinion Piece on the Pathway Plan for 2012
Click Here to read a Press Release “Joint Finance Must Reject ‘BadgerCare Minus’ Proposal”
Click Here to read a Press Release “DHS Medicaid Plans Panned as Redistribution of Medical Debt”
