Lawmakers discuss the $15m for healthcare that is still in limbo
MADISON, Wis. (WLAX/WEUX) – State Democrats also met in Eau Claire today (4/30/24) discussing the $15 million meant to help address the healthcare shutdown. That money has not moved since Evers signed the bill, approving the funds, in February.
Democrats are claiming this funding is in limbo because the joint finance committee is not acting to take it. Republicans say the money can be used too broadly after Governor Evers made line-item vetoes to the bill approving the $15 million.
We asked lawmakers, if there’s such a challenge getting this money approved now, how will they address the shutdown more broadly? Here’s what they said,
Democratic State Senator Jeff Smith, of Brunswick: “We’ve got to change the way business is conducted in Madison. We all have to feel threatened. For that, we’ll lose our job if we aren’t working for people and actually working together with our colleagues on the other side.”
Republican Senator, Jesse James m of Altoona: “We’re all going to have to work together because you know this is something that’s happened extremely fast in our state and we’re going to have growing pains and we’re going to learn from mistakes.”
HSHS Sacred Heart and St. Joseph’s Hospital closed March 22nd and surrounding health care providers have been adjusting to provide that care since then. We reached out to Marshfield Clinic for an interview about Rice Lake’s services and they declined.
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