COVID 19 RESPONSE BILL Update

The COVID-19 Response Bill that was passed by my colleagues and I goes into effect today. This is a fundamental step as we continue to come together in moving Wisconsin forward. The legislation that was passed with bi-partisan support is expansive, and you can read more details by clicking here.

 A few of the fundamental issues that are addressed are removing the one-week waiting period for unemployment insurance and also requiring health insurers to cover COVID-19 testing. We also ensured $2.3 billion from the federal government to combat the effects of the virus.

When my colleagues and I were together and discussing the legislation this past Tuesday I advocated for Wisconsin to open for business as soon as possible, and I will continue to do so. I was disappointed in Governor Evers’ decision yesterday, and will continue to make sure that Wisconsin businesses are represented, and advocate for their ability to operate.

As businesses do open, we still need to remain cautious. This is a serious virus and we need to remain aware of the facts. Please see below for some information on the status of the 16 hospitals in the North Central region. This is updated in real-time by the Wisconsin Hospital Association. You can visit their website anytime by clicking here.

• Current Hospitalization: 2
• New Cases in the Last 7 Days: 8
• Total Cases in Region: 43

Our region is fortunate to have some of the best medical facilities in the state, and are well prepared to face any challenges. Currently, the Aspirus system is stocked with over 30 day’s worth of PPE. You can read more about the preparedness here.

Additionally, our new testing protocols are giving doctors more freedom to test individuals, such as those with mild respiratory issues. You can read more about this development here.

I’m very grateful to represent such an active community and to have the opportunity to get to catch up with so many of you at the store or at any one of the great community events we enjoy together. If you ever have any questions or comments don’t hesitate to reach out to my office, or on Facebook and Twitter.