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Dear Friends and Neighbors,

 

Wisconsin's 2019-21 state budget has been in the headlines this week. Read on for updates about the budget process, and some information about the potential benefits of Medicaid expansion right here in Dane County, as well as a legislative proposal related to immunization.

 

 Other events in the Capitol this week included a legislative advocacy day for doctors and a rally in support of Governor Evers's proposal to restore immigrants' access to drivers' cards. 


If you have any questions or need assistance with any matter, please feel free to contact my office.


Sincerely,


Lisa Subeck
State Representative
78th Assembly District


In This Week's Update:

Medicaid Expansion


World Immunization Week


Doctor Day


Day Without Latinxs


Fun Wisconsin Fact


Whats Happening?


Contact Me:

109 North, State Capitol

P.O. Box 8953

Madison, WI 53708

Phone: (608) 266-7521

Toll-Free: (888) 534-0078

Fax: (608) 282-3690

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Republican Legislators Plan to Reject Medicaid Expansion

This Wednesday, Republican members of the Joint Finance Committee announced that they plan to eliminate many of Governor Evers’s proposals from the 2019-21 state budget, including his plans to raise the minimum wage, legalize marijuana for medical use, and accept federal dollars to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.

This announcement came just days after new county-by-county data was released by the Department of Health Services on the potential impact of Medicaid expansion. This data makes it abundantly clear that Republican legislators are acting against the best interests of their own constituents by rejecting this federal investment.  

Statewide, Medicaid expansion would provide health insurance coverage to an additional 82,000 Wisconsinites, save state taxpayers $324 million over the biennium, and draw down an additional $1.6 billion to invest into new initiatives to improve health care access and quality. Here in Dane County, over 4,800 residents would gain Medicaid coverage.

Medicaid expansion would also allow for numerous new investments in Dane County, including:

  • $2.9 million to expand access to behavioral health, including crisis intervention and telehealth services
  • $3.8 million to prevent childhood lead poisoning through lead abatement and supporting children with lead poisoning through the Birth to 3 Program
  • $3.6 million to improve access to dental services by increasing payments to dental providers, including those who serve people with disabilities, and expanding the Seal-A-Smile program
  • $5.6 million to enhance Medicaid benefits and services, including support for the new community health benefit and postpartum coverage for new mothers
  • $3.9 million to increase funding for physicians
  • $41.2 million to increase hospital funding
  • $7.4 million to increase funding for providers in long-term care programs and services—including Family Care IRIS, and nursing homes—and boosting personal care worker wages

 

What a difference Medicaid expansion could make for Dane County residents! It is fiscally irresponsible and morally indefensible for legislative Republicans to continue standing in the way of this obvious win-win, but it is not too late for them to put people ahead of politics and accept the federal investment in our Medicaid program. I stand with my Democratic colleagues in support of expanding quality, affordable health care coverage in Dane County and throughout Wisconsin.

 

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World Immunization Week

This week, I pledged support for Assembly Minority Leader Gordon Hintz’s proposal to eliminate the personal conviction exemption for immunizations. It is appropriate that Rep. Hintz unveiled this proposal during World Immunization Week (April 24-30), a week to promote the use of vaccines to protect people of all ages against disease. Wisconsin has one of the broadest exemption criterion in the nation for vaccinations, and is one of the few states that allows for opting out of immunizations for medical, religious, and personal reasons. The personal conviction clause is the only exemption addressed in this legislation.

With recent measles outbreaks in the headlines, World Immunization Week is a good opportunity to re-emphasize the importance of vaccines. In order to protect infants, the elderly, and others who are medically unable to receive vaccines, enough community members need to be vaccinated to preserve herd immunity. The personal conviction exemption threatens herd immunity and places the public health of our communities at risk.

Herd immunity requires a 90-95% vaccination rate to prevent outbreaks from occurring. Over the past 20 years, Wisconsin has jumped from a 1% to a 5.3% opt out rate, which is more than double the national average of 2.2%. Additionally, the country as a whole has seen 704 individual cases of measles confirmed in 2019, nineteen years after the CDC had declared measles to be eliminated.

The fact of the matter is, vaccines work. They save lives, protect our children, and keep us healthy. I stand with parents, health workers, and community members who help ensure we are all protected against disease.

 


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Doctor Day in the Capitol

I always appreciate the opportunity to meet with constituents to discuss the topics that matter to them. Earlier this week, I had the chance to meet with a group of area doctors to discuss issues relating to medical professionals in Wisconsin.

We discussed the importance of patient access to Medicaid and the need for increased reimbursement rates for physician services. Wisconsin’s Medicaid reimbursement rate ranks near the very bottom for physician payments, and is especially low for emergency room physicians. Our state must work to enhance access to care for Medicaid patients. The investments in the Governor’s budget proposal would be a step in the right direction.

During the meeting, we also discussed the importance of eliminating the personal conviction exception for student immunization requirements, as mentioned in an article above. It is crucial for students attending school to be vaccinated to prevent virulent diseases from spreading rapidly, putting children’s health and even lives at risk.

 

 

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Day Without Latinxs & Immigrants

Despite the chilly weather on Wednesday, I was proud to stand in solidarity with the thousands of people who were at the Capitol for Day Without Latinxs & Immigrants as they rallied in support of Governor Tony Evers’s budget proposal to give immigrants access to drivers’ cards. Governor Evers has included measures to restore driver licenses for immigrants in his 2019-2021 state budget proposal, and numerous advocacy groups and legislators have spoken out in support. Unfortunately, it seems that the Joint Finance Committee plans to remove this provision from the budget.

 Wisconsinites could obtain driver licenses regardless of immigration status until 2007, when a law passed by the legislature the previous year to take licenses away from immigrants without a Social Security Number went into effect.

Rep. Jocasta Zamarripa and I were interviewed at the rally by The Devil’s Advocates Radio Network. We discussed the benefits of the Governor’s proposal, which would strengthen our economy, improve public safety, and help Wisconsin families.  

 


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Wisconsin Fun Fact

On April 30, 1845, Wisconsin’s long history of free public education for its residents began under the direction of Col. Michael Frank after it was passed by referendum in the community of Southport (now Kenosha).  Frank was a member of the Wisconsin territorial legislature, and had introduced bills to authorize a public school system in the Northwest Territory in 1843, 1844, and 1845. In February 1845 he was able to secure authorization for Southport to establish a free school after a close vote of 90 to 79 in the territorial legislature. There was some opposition to the law, but it did pass in the subsequent required referendum. The free school would be supported by property taxes.  The first free school opened in the state on June 16, 1845 in Southport, and was one of only three free schools in the whole country outside New England. Four more free schools opened in Wisconsin by August 1845, all while we were still a territory!

The Wisconsin Constitution, adopted in 1848, provided for free public schools for all children along with funding mechanisms, and established the State Superintendent. Michael Frank was integral in codifying school laws, and in 1849 Wisconsin’s free public school system officially began.  

 

 

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Things happening in the district & around Madison:

Star Wars Day
Saturday, May 4

6:30 am - 3:30 pm
Yola's Cafe

494 Commerce Drive

 

Take part in STAR WARS™ themed fun and be transported to a galaxy far, far away. Costume Contest - prizes awarded for best costumes. Photo Booth - bring your camera! Children's crafts and more...

Free Comic Book Day
Saturday, May 4

10 am - 6 pm
Westfield Comics West 

7475 Mineral Point Dr #22

 

The 18th Annual Worldwide Free Comic Book Day comes to Madison with Free Comic Books for All Ages at Westfield Comics! Attendees are encouraged to wear costumes of their favorite characters and can enter a raffle for gift cards and other prizes! 

UW Arboretum Walk
Sunday, May 5

1 pm
UW Arboretum Visitor Center

1207 Seminole Hwy


Look for wildflowers in Wingra Woods and watch for other signs of renewal. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center. 

The Sun: Our Living Star
May 6th, 7th and 8th 

6:30 pm
Madison Planetarium 

201 S Gammon Rd


This amazing film tells the story of our nearest star, the Sun. Tickets are $2.50 and available online (HERE), by mail, or at the door. Buying tickets in advance is recommended. 

Meadowridge Library Book Sale
Saturday, May 11

9 am - 1 pm
Meadowridge Library

 

The Friends of Meadowridge Library are having a book sale.  Books, DVDs, CDs and puzzles will be available for purchase.

Friday Fun Features: Zootopia
Friday, May 10

6 pm
Alicia Ashman Library


In a city of anthropomorphic animals, a rookie bunny cop and a cynical con artist fox must work together to uncover a conspiracy. 
[PG, 1hr 48min, Animals|Adventure|Comedy, 2016]

   
   

|  | Rep Subeck's Website 

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