Health Committee Hearing Focuses on Anti-Abortion Legislation

The Assembly Committee on Health held a public hearing on Thursday to hear testimony on nine bills. These bills included:

+Assembly Bill 593: informed consent regarding a certain abortion-inducing drug regimen and reporting requirements for induced abortions.

+Assembly Bill 539: prohibiting discrimination in organ transplantation on the basis of disability.

+Assembly Bill 36: permitting pharmacists to prescribe certain contraceptives, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, granting rule-making authority, and providing a penalty.

+Assembly Bill 594: congenital condition educational resources.

+Assembly Bill 262: induced abortion reporting.

+Assembly Bill 493: certification of abortion providers under the Medical Assistance program.

+Assembly Bill 528: certification of abortion providers under the Medical Assistance program.

+Assembly Bill 595: sex-selective, disability-selective, and other selective abortions and providing a penalty.

+Assembly Bill 6: requirements for children born alive following abortion or attempted abortion and providing a penalty.

While there were a few bright spots, such as bipartisan bills to expand access to contraception and to prevent discrimination against individuals with disabilities when considering eligibility for organ transplants, the hearing was dominated by proposals to limit or impede access to abortion services.

Before the hearing, I was joined by Dr. Kristin Lyerly, Dr. Kathy Hartke, and OB/GYN residents for a press briefing to address the nationwide effort to restrict women's health care options. We discussed how many of the bills heard by the committee today are a part of the extreme anti-choice, anti-women’s health agenda. Most of these bills are scheduled for a vote in the Health Committee on October 14.

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COVID-19 Update

Public Health Madison & Dane County announced this week that is has extended its Face Covering Emergency Order until November 5. No changes were made to the previous order. Face coverings are still required for people ages two and older when in any enclosed space open to the public where other people, except for members of the person’s own household or living unit, are present and while driving or riding in any form of public transportation.

Also this week, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) announced technology enhancements so that people who have been in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 can be sent a text or email notifying them of their exposure to COVID-19. This new feature is another way to share important information with close contacts in a timely fashion. Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 will continue to receive a phone call from a contact tracer.

This close contact texting and email notification system is different from the Wisconsin Exposure Notification app, which exchanges anonymous signals with other phones that are near it for at least 15 minutes and allows people who test positive to send an alert to other nearby phones. The app is available for download from the Google Play Store for non-iPhone users or can be enabled in Settings on your iPhone.

For more information on contact tracing and close contacts, visit the DHS COVID-19 Contact Tracing and COVID-19 Close Contacts webpages.

As you likely know, the CDC has recommended that people 65 and older and certain populations who are at high risk of COVID-19 who have received the Pfizer vaccine receive a booster shot at least six months after the completion of their Pfizer vaccine primary series. This decision follows authorization by the FDA.

DHS recommends that the following populations SHOULD receive a booster dose of Pfizer at least 6 months after receiving their second dose of Pfizer in order to further strengthen their immunity:

• People 65 years and older
• All residents in long-term care
• People ages 50-64 years with certain underlying medical conditions

DHS recommends that the following populations MAY receive a booster dose of Pfizer at least 6 months after receiving their second dose of Pfizer vaccine, after considering their individual risks and benefits:

• People ages 18-49 years with certain underlying medical conditions
• People ages 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of their job or institutional settings. Occupations at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission include front line essential workers and health care workers.

For more information, view the DHS news release on Pfizer booster shots.

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Domestic Violence Awareness Month

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Domestic Violence Awareness Month was launched nationwide in 1987 as a way to connect and unite individuals and organizations working on domestic violence issues while raising awareness for those issues. Over the past 30-plus years, much progress has been made to support domestic violence victims and survivors, to hold abusers accountable, and to create and update legislation to further those goals.

I have the honor of serving on the Governor’s Council on Domestic Abuse. The Council advises the Department of Children and Families and the legislature on domestic abuse funding and policy issues, while also serving as a sounding board and resource for citizens of the State on domestic abuse issues. The Council on Domestic Abuse is made up of thirteen members who are appointed for three-year terms. Those appointed to the council have a recognized interest in and knowledge of domestic abuse issues.

Since 1991, the Council has selected recipients for Outstanding Achievement in Domestic Abuse Issues awards. The awards are presented at a ceremony each year during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This year’s awards will be presented later this month.

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DWD Expands Resources for Employers to Support Employees Working to Overcome Substance Use Disorder

As part of efforts to help Wisconsin employers connect with underutilized talent pools, the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) has expanded resources for employers to help employees working to overcome substance use disorder and attain job stability and security.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a dramatic impact on Wisconsin citizens, especially those with substance use disorder. Through DWD resources, Wisconsin employers can learn about a variety of topics, including:

• Labor market impacts of the opioid epidemic in Wisconsin;
• The cost of substance use in the workplace; and
• Policies and program guidance to support individuals in recovery in the workplace.

DWD will continue to add resources and guidance to this page for employers and job seekers affected by substance use disorder with the goal of removing recovery as a barrier to employment.

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Online Safety Course for Parents and Caregivers Available

Attorney General Josh Kaul, in partnership with the Department of Public Instruction (DPI), announced a free, online course for parents and caregivers on how to help keep kids safe online. The course comes as the Department of Justice (DOJ) and DPI recognize October as Keeping Kids Safe Online month in Wisconsin for the fifth year in a row.

The “Pro-tech-ting Children Online: ICAC Resources and Support” course is led by Wisconsin Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force victim service specialists. The goal of the course is to help parents and caregivers recognize online exploitative behaviors, develop skills to support and empower those impacted by it, and provide resources to continue the conversation about healthy online behaviors.

Wisconsin ICAC Task Force leaders suggest parents talk to their children about online safety early and often. Parents should discuss online dangers and risks with their kids. They should also have an open dialogue about their kid’s online activity, including the websites they’re visiting, the people they’re communicating with, the information they’re sharing about themselves, and any situations that make them feel scared, uncomfortable or confused.

In addition to the online course, resources for parents and caregivers can be found on the Wisconsin ICAC Task Force homepage. The Wisconsin ICAC Task Force also produces the Protecting Kids Online (PKO) podcast. The podcast is designed to inform parents and caregivers about the latest trends and updates on apps, websites and other online activity of children age 17 and younger.

Podcast topics include:

• Wisconsin ICAC Task Force activities
• app of the week
• tips & methods for combating online child exploitation and sextortion
• internet safety laws; cyberbullying
• healthy online habits
• protecting your child from strangers online
• safe sharing tips
• responses to listener questions

Parents and guardians can also subscribe to the Wisconsin Community & Parent email list to receive online safety updates and information by emailing icac@doj.state.wi.us and requesting to be added.

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New Blue Books are Here!

The 2021-2022 edition of the Wisconsin Blue Book is here!  If you'd like a copy please email my office at Rep.Subeck@legis.wisconsin.gov, and I will have my staff provide you with your very own copy.  If you are downtown during normal business hours, you can also stop in to my office (Room 109 N in the Capitol) to pick one up in person (please note that masks are required in my office).

(Pictured is a young constituent who loves reading his Blue Book every night before bed.)

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Wisconsin Fun Fact 

October 8 marks the 150^th anniversary of the Peshtigo Fire. On the same night in 1871 that the famous Chicago fire burned the city, a more deadly fire broke out in Peshtigo, Wisconsin. The fire likely started when small fires that farmers would set to clear forests spread due to winds in the area.

The wind moved the fire west, and burned Peshtigo, Wisconsin, in the process. The fire burned throughout northern Wisconsin, including parts of Door County and even spread into the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. This fire is known as the deadliest fire in history.

While the Chicago fire is estimated to have killed around 300 people, the Peshtigo fire is responsible for an estimated 1500-2500 deaths. The exact number of lives lost in the fire remains unclear because the fire destroyed the town’s records.

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