FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 09, 2024
Contact: Representative Emerson 608-237-9191
Senator Jeff Smith, 608-266-8546

Rep. Emerson and Sen. Smith Statement on Republican Legislation for the Re-Allocation of Unused Funds to Address Hospital Closures

MADISON - Today it was announced that the Republican legislators from the Chippewa Valley have introduced legislation that will re-allocate $15 million of unused funds from the 2021 2022 budget to support emergency departments in the region. This proposed legislation follows Hospital Sisters Health System’s announcement in late January that by April 21st, Sacred Heart, St. Joseph’s, and Prevea Health will close.

Representative Jodi Emerson (D-Eau Claire) and Senator Jeff Smith (D-Brunswick) issued the following statement in response:

“I am disappointed that the Republican legislators in the Chippewa Valley are choosing this moment to play partisan politics and not include Democrats in this bill. This is a time where we need to work together to support our communities. Making sure our constituents have access to medical care should be the priority right now,” said Rep. Emerson

Sen. Smith added, “Republicans have rejected billions of federal dollars in Medicaid expansion money to stabilize our health care systems in Wisconsin for over a decade. Offering a $15 million Hail Mary now for no clear result is insulting to our community. It’s a distraction from the current challenge to come up with creative solutions to this complicated crisis.”

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