Rep. Gundrum votes for important reforms to keep health care affordable.

Rep. Gundrum Votes to Improve Health Care for Wisconsinites

For Immediate Release                                                                                           

March 16, 2021          

Contact: Rep. Rick Gundrum                                                                                   

(608) 264-8486

Madison, WI – Representative Rick Gundrum (R-Slinger) voted for several bills today to keep health care affordable and accessible for Wisconsinites. The bills passed with widespread bipartisan support. The representative issued the following statement after passage of the bills:

“Assembly Bill 7 will help lower insurance premiums and gives protection to local pharmacies. It mandates Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) be licensed with the state through the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI) so there is more transparency for consumers. The bill prohibits PBMs from penalizing insurers or pharmacists for disclosing generic, cost of purchase or lower cost alternatives. These unfair business practices should not be allowed to continue.

“Assembly Bill 34 prohibits insurance companies from denying coverage to individuals who have pre-existing medical conditions. It also prevents insurance companies from charging higher premiums based on a person’s health status. This bill gives Wisconsinites who have pre-existing conditions peace of mind when it comes to health insurance if the Affordable Care Act is struck down in the court system. The state legislature passed similar legislation last session and are continuing these efforts again.

“Senate Bill 13 provides dentists the opportunity to administer vaccines for COVID-19 and influenza. In order to qualify as a vaccinator, a dentist will need to complete an eight-hour training. We need to ensure we have enough vaccinators in place as the coronavirus vaccine rollout continues.

“We need to improve Wisconsin’s health care system as we come out of the COVID-19 pandemic. These bills do just that. I’m proud of my constituents in the 58th Assembly District, who persevered during these difficult times.”

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