Less for Rx Plan to Reduce Prescription Drug Costs

Gov. Evers and I traveled to Wausau on Wednesday to introduce legislation to reduce the high cost of prescription drugs. The Less for Rx Plan was developed from recommendations of the bipartisan Governor’s Task Force on Reducing Prescription Drug Prices.

As a member of this task force, I heard from people across the state who struggle to pay for their medications. No one should be forced to choose between paying household expenses like food, housing costs, and utilities, or purchasing their medications. And no one should have to put their health or life at risk by rationing their medications, but this is exactly what too many patients have to do.

All Wisconsinites need and deserve access to affordable healthcare, including prescription drugs, and the Less for Rx Plan could provide some much needed relief to patients struggling to afford potentially lifesaving medications they or their children need.

Our plan includes the following proposals:

LRB 2313: Creates a prescription drug affordability board.

LRB 3315: Creates a grant program for free and charitable clinics.

LRB 3317: Creates a prescription drug repository program.

LRB 3319: Allows for pharmacist continuing education at free and charitable clinics.

LRB 3331: Creates a generic drug importation program.

LRB 3332: Creates a grant program to establish a pharmacy benefits tool.

LRB 3333: Establishes an insulin copayment cap.

LRB 3334: Establishes drug reimbursement for certain entities under the federal 340B drug discount program.

LRB 3335: Creates a value-based diabetes medication pilot program.

LRB 3336: Creates a fiduciary duty and disclosure requirement for pharmacy benefit managers.

LRB 3337: Establishes licensure of pharmacy services administrative organizations.

LRB 3339: Creates an Office of Prescription Drug Affordability.

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Wisconsin Campaign Integrity Act Introduced

My Democratic colleagues and I announced on Tuesday the introduction of the Wisconsin Campaign Integrity Act. This legislation would restore accountability, integrity, and transparency to our campaign finance system. The 2010 Supreme Court decision in Citizens United, coupled with a loosening of campaign finance regulation and oversight through legislation passed in Wisconsin by Republicans in 2015, has allowed the voices of Wisconsin voters to be drowned out by the disproportionate influence of corporate and special interest money in politics.

Most of us agree that all Americans, not matter who we are or how much money we have, deserve an equal voice and say in our democracy. Unfortunately, big corporations and special interests have an outsized say in what happens in the Capitol because of our broken campaign finance system.

With each election, it becomes clearer that people are fed up with the corrupting influence of unlimited special interest spending on our elections. Our current campaign finance laws have created a scenario where too many elected officials are dependent upon special interest and corporate money, leaving them more accountable to these special interests than to their own constituents. Our proposal would restore trust in our democracy by adding transparency and getting big money out of politics.

The full Wisconsin Campaign Integrity Act package includes the following proposed bills:

Citizens United Resolution (LRB-4226): This resolution places a question on the November 2022 ballot to ask the people if Congress should propose an amendment to overturn Citizens United v. F.E.C.

Communications Transparency Act (LRB-4225): This proposal requires reporting of mass communications and communication coordination within 48 hours of the mass communications, provided the disbursement for the mass communications exceed $500 and the mass communications are made within 60 days of a primary or election.

Contribution Sunshine Act (LRB-4224): This proposal requires any committee that receives campaign finance contributions of more than $100 cumulatively from an individual to report that individual’s place of employment and occupation, if any.

No Corporate Campaign Bribes Act (LRB-4223): This proposal amends Wisconsin State Statutes to prohibit a corporation, cooperative association, labor organization, or federally recognized American Indian Tribe from making contributions to segregated funds established and administered by a political party or legislative campaign committee.

Coordination Control Act (LRB-4222): This proposal places the same financial limits on coordinated expenditures between candidates and groups as are currently in place for direct contributions.

Closing the PAC Loophole Act (LRB-4221): This proposal closes a loophole in the legal definition of a PAC that groups use to bypass donation limits.

Campaign Contribution Limits Act (LRB-4220): This proposal modifies campaign contribution limits to candidates by groups, entities, and individuals.

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Republicans Undermine Health and Safety Measures on UW Campuses

This week, the Joint Committee on Review of Administration Rules, of which I am member, voted 6 to 4, along party lines, to block the UW system from implementing COVID-19 safety measures. The vote was held by paper ballot with no public hearing and no opportunity for debate and discussion by committee members.

The UW System has a responsibility to provide a safe and healthy learning environment for its students and staff. This action is a gross example of micromanagement and putting the politics of the pandemic ahead of health and safety, endangering public health on campus and jeopardizing a smooth return to in-person classes this fall.

I was pleased to see UW Madison announce that masks will be required inside its buildings. However, I remain concerned that Republicans can use their vote this week as the basis for legal action to halt implementation of this and other health measures on campus.

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Gov. Evers Proclaims August as “ABLE to Save” Month

Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) accounts are a way for individuals with disabilities and their families to create a tax-free savings account that will allow them to save for the future without jeopardizing benefits such as their Social Security Disability Insurance. ABLE accounts allow parents of individuals with disabilities to be able to save for their child’s future needs.

I recently re-introduced legislation to require the Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) to implement and administer a qualified ABLE program, either directly or by entering into an agreement with another state or alliance of states, as Wisconsin is one of only nine states that does not operate its own program or collaborate to do so.

For more information about ABLE Savings Plans, visit the ABLE National Resource Center, DFI’s ABLE accounts webpage, the Wisconsin Department of Revenue’s ABLE accounts webpage, and the National Association of State Treasurers. Learn more and get involved in ABLE to Save Month today.

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Eviction Moratorium Extended

The CDC has announced it is extending the eviction moratorium for counties that are experiencing “substantial” or “high” rates of COVID-19 transmission, as the Delta variant has caused an increase in spread of the virus. This includes Dane County and much of Wisconsin. The moratorium will run through October 3^rd.

To learn more, click here.

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A Message from the Department of Health Services about the Katie Beckett Medicaid Program

Katie Beckett Medicaid provides access to Wisconsin Medicaid services for children with disabilities, mental illness, or complex medical needs. Katie Beckett helps some children whose parents have too high of an income for Medicaid, and those covered by private insurance, get a ForwardHealth Medicaid card so they can receive needed services and equipment that might not otherwise be covered.

To apply, families can call 888-786-3246. They will be connected with an eligibility specialist who will explain the Medicaid benefit and help the family decide if they want to pursue enrollment.

Visit the Wisconsin Department of Health Services Website to learn more.

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Wisconsin Fun Fact 

In 1928, Langlade County created the first of Wisconsin’s 28 county forests. The establishment of this county forest was passed via a referendum, and has allowed the Langlade County Forest to grow to over 125,000 acres of protected land. Legislation passed in 1927, called the County Forest Reserve Law, allowed counties to take over land to create county forests. The passage this law and the referendum shows Wisconsinites’ early dedication to conservation. The state now boasts over 2.3 million acres protected as part of our county forests. County forests are an important way to protect the land and ecosystems of Wisconsin, and we have Langlade County to thank for initiating this effort over 90 years ago.

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