I hope this update finds you and your family safe and healthy. The legislature is permitted to distribute information on COVID-19 but limited to COVID-19 because the 2020 election cycle has officially begun...
This e-update outlines Governor Evers' executive response to COVID-19 and the bill that passed through the legislature last week.
For more frequent updates on the COVID-19 emergency, please visit my official Facebook and Twitter pages.
I hope this e-update is helpful. Please do not hesitate to call my office at (608) 266-0645 should you have any questions or if I can be of any assistance to you.
Evan Goyke State Representative 18th Assembly District
Executive Response to COVID-19: The Badger Bounce Back Plan
On Monday, Gov. Evers announced the Badger Bounce Back Plan to safely reopen Wisconsin. This plan is based on the federal Guidelines for Opening Up American Again. The Badger Bounce Back Plan outlines how our state can reopen the economy in phases to ensure that businesses and employees can get back to work safely, and so that our state can stay open after we re-open.
We can all work together to meet the specified benchmarks so that Wisconsin can safely reopen its economy.
Wisconsin's Gating Criteria
Symptoms: Reduction of influenza-like illnesses (ILI) and COVID-19-like cases reported within a 14-day period
Cases: Reduction of positive tests as a percent of total tests within a 14-day period
Hospitals: Robust testing programs in place for at-risk healthcare workers, with decreasing numbers of infected healthcare workers
Core State Responsibilities
Testing: Every Wisconsin resident who has symptoms of COVID-19 can get a lab test
Tracing: Increase staff to trace where people contracted the virus
Tracking: Track the spread of the virus and report on the progress
These criteria are based on federal guidelines, and are in many ways the same, except that Governor Evers is calling for a massive increase in testing.
Before we can start the Badger Bounce Back Plan, Wisconsinites must continue to flatten the curve and reduce the spread of COVID-19 by staying Safer At Home. In order to “turn the dial” on Safer at Home and begin the Badger Bounce Back, we need to:
Increase lab capacity and testing
Increase contact tracing, including support for isolation and quarantine
Track the spread of COVID-19
Increase health care capacity
Procure more personal protective equipment
State Government Response to COVID-19
Last week, I voted in favor of the bi-partisan COVID-19 response legislation. This bill cannot be the end of the Legislature’s response and more relief is needed. Below are a few of the key provisions of AB 1038.
Unemployment
Temporary repeal of the one week waiting period for unemployment compensation benefits.
People eligible for unemployment compensation will receive the extra week and it is retroactive.
This will increase our state’s funding for unemployment benefits by $9.4 million as discussed in this video
Workers compensation benefits for essential workers
Improvements to Wisconsin’s Work-Share Plan
Healthcare
Suspends barriers to Medicaid enrollment provisions in order for Wisconsin to qualify for enhanced federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) dollars.
Individuals will not have to pay co-pays for COVID-19 testing
Prescription drug refills more accessible during the public health emergency
COVID-19 could not be considered a pre-existing condition for every insurance company
Creates equity in cost for individuals who receive services outside of their health network
The Joint Finance Committee can transfer up to $75 million in funds to help meet the needs of the public health emergency (this would not allow the JFC to cut programs, which was originally proposed by the majority party)
Puts Wisconsin in line with federal training standards for nurse aids
Application extension for the low-income energy assistance program. Federal CARES Act provides $8.0 million for the program to support costs associated with home energy bills and weatherization
Flexibility in credentialing for health care providers
For more information on this legislation, check out my latest #NerdPower video.
Necessary Next Steps
As mentioned, I believe the Legislature must do more. We are working to prioritize the needs of our healthcare systems, our local governments, and more broadly our economy.
As an initial priority, I signed on to support the Health Care Heroes Act, which would prioritize state spending to procure and distribute Personal Protective Equipment, hazard pay, fully-paid sick time, and full healthcare coverage. As policy-makers, it is our job to ensure that our frontline workers have the resources and support that they need.
My office continues to be open and available to support ALL Wisconsinites throughout this public health emergency. Please do not hesitate to reach out if there is anything we can help you with.
