Wisconsin Legislature
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMay 14, 2015

Rep. Dean Knudson, Member, Joint Finance Committee(608) 266-1526
Senator Leah Vukmir, Member, Joint Finance Committee(608) 266-2512
Rep. John Nygren, Co-Chair, Joint Finance Committee(608) 266-2343
Senator Alberta Darling, Co-Chair, Joint Finance Committee(608) 266-5830

JFC REPUBLICANS PROTECT LONG TERM CARE
Remove Governors Proposed Changes, Preserve Self-Directed Care

MADISONOn Thursday, Republican leaders on the Joint Finance Committee (JFC) announced the rejection of Governor Walkers proposed long term care changes, while pursuing limited reforms with strong legislative oversight. Rep. Dean Knudson (R-Hudson) and Sen. Leah Vukmir (R-Wauwatosa) unveiled the changes alongside JFC Co-chairs Rep. John Nygren (R-Marinette) and Sen. Alberta Darling (R-River Hills).

In removing the Governors changes to FamilyCare and IRIS, the legislators proposed giving the Department of Health Services (DHS) limited authority to negotiate with the Federal Government on potential changes to FamilyCare to integrate long term and medical care, with the following requirements:
Require public and stakeholder input before any changes are made.
Require self-directed care with budget authority, to be defined in statute.
Require a regional model with multiple Integrated Health Agencies (IHA) per region.
Require an independent actuarial study to set rates.
Require the acceptance of any willing provider for a multi-year transition.
Preserve ADRC services.
Require final approval of any waiver application by the Joint Finance Committee before submission to the Federal Government.

This plan requires public input, includes a self-directed option, and gives patients choice between competing providers. Integration of care provides better care for customers and doctors, as well as a better value for taxpayers.

Go to the Wheeler Report (www.thewheelerreport.com
<http://www.thewheelerreport.com&gt and see10:53 AMannouncement form Vukmir,Knudsen, Nygren and Darling that JFC has taken the governor's LTC proposalout of the budget.