This week we were on the Assembly Floor on Tuesday and Wednesday. I want to take a moment to highlight a couple pieces of legislation that passed on Tuesday aimed at ensuring Wisconsinites have access to affordable health care and prescription drugs.
The first bill, 2021 Assembly Bill 7 (AB 7), requires pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to be licensed through the Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI). The proposal was brought forward following a similar bill that received broad bipartisan support in the Assembly last session.
AB 7 will help lower prescription drug prices and insurance premiums that are often driven up by PBM practices. One provision of the bill will benefit many Wisconsinites who require prescription drugs by ensuring pharmacists are always able to tell their patients when the out-of-pocket cost of a prescription drug is less than they would pay using their insurance. I am proud to co-sponsor this legislation and look forward to seeing the ways it improves the health and lives of Wisconsinites.
The Assembly also passed 2021 Assembly Bill 34 (AB 34), which prevents health insurance companies from refusing coverage or increasing the cost of health care because a person has a pre-existing condition. The proposal also prohibits lifetime limitations on the dollar value of benefits under health insurance plans.
Approximately one out of every six Wisconsinites is living with a pre-existing condition. It is vitally important we ensure these vulnerable members of our communities are protected in case provisions of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) are no longer enforceable or no longer preempt state law. I am a proud co-sponsor of this bill as well.
Both bills passed the Assembly unanimously, so my hope is that the Governor signs these bills into law when they reach his desk.
Vaccine Eligibility Updates
Many of you reached out to me to inquire when it will be your turn to receive the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. I am pleased to share that the Department of Health Services (DHS) has made changes to their guidance, and individuals age 16+ with certain medical conditions will become eligible to receive the vaccine on Monday, March 22, 2021. Please visit https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/vaccine-about.htm to check your eligibility.
Those individuals who are interested and eligible to receive the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine will have multiple vaccination options. You can try contacting your health care provider, local pharmacy, or your local health department. Below is contact information for each health department serving the 21st Assembly District –
Please be aware that this guidance only relates to eligibility for the vaccine. There is not a “timeline” for the vaccine, as this is reliant on supply which is constantly changing.
State and Federal Individual Income Tax Deadline Extended to May 17, 2021
Earlier this week the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced that the federal income tax filing and payment deadline for the 2020 tax year will be extended from April 15, 2021 to May 17, 2021. As a result, our state is extending the Wisconsin individual income tax return filing and payment due date to May 17, 2021. If you would like to take advance of this extension, here are some things to keep in mind:
You do not need to file any extension forms.
Interest and late fees will not begin to accrue until May 18, 2021.
This relief only applies to individual income tax payments for the 2020 tax year.
This has been a tough year for most people. I hope this deadline extension offers some relief to those who need it.
As always, if you have any comments regarding the content of this E-Update, please feel free to contact me.
Rep. Jessie Rodriguez State Capitol, Room 321E PO Box 8953 Madison, WI 53708 Toll-Free (888) 534-0021 or (608) 266-0610 Rep.Rodriguez@legis.wisconsin.gov | |
