CONTACT: Beth Kaplan, (608) 266-1683

STATE BUDGET REFORMS BUILD FOUNDATION FOR SUSTAINABLE, COST-EFFECTIVE HEALTH PROGRAMS

MADISON— The 2011-13 state budget takes important steps to make sure Wisconsin’s health, public assistance and long term care programs are financially stable, provide high quality services to those who need them and are accountable to taxpayers. For the first time in years, more state dollars are being channeled into the various Medicaid programs. Nearly all new revenue coming into the state will be used for programs within the Department of Health Services (DHS). The legislature fulfilled Governor Walker’s request for $1.2 billion in new funds.

“We have laid the groundwork that will keep our Medicaid and long term care programs sustainable and available for our citizens who rely on them,” said Smith. “To keep our programs viable for the long haul, they must be run efficiently and effectively. With the input from Medicaid recipients, providers, and advocacy groups from around the state, we will bring fair, focused, and commonsense solutions to the problems of rising health care costs.”

“To continue to provide these services, we will pursue urgently needed flexibility from the federal mandates that dramatically affect our ability to make Wisconsin’s Medicaid program work for the people who live here,” Smith said. “This budget helps us do that.”

To reassure seniors and those who care for family members that they can count on community programs being there for them, the Department will oversee a thorough review of Family Care before the program expands further. “This program is so important to our vulnerable citizens, and it must be on sound financial footing so all participants receive quality services long into the future,” Smith said. Families should also know that a variety of community services continue to be available during the review period.

The budget also builds a new model for providing public assistance services by combining state and county resources to provide consistent, efficient administrative services while lowering costs. In addition, enhanced support for fraud detection, prevention and investigation will bring additional accountability to the program to preserve resources for those it is intended to serve.

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Last Revised:  June 28, 2011