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The committee on Health reports and recommends:
Relating to training and proficiency in the use of automated external defibrillators for licensure as a licensed midwife.
No action taken.
Leah Vukmir
Chairperson
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Read first time and referred:
Senate Bill 138
Relating to: the regulation of emissions of hazardous air contaminants associated with agricultural waste and the partial suspension of rules promulgated by the Department of Natural Resources.
By
joint committee for review of Administrative Rules.
To committee on Natural Resources and Environment.
Senate Bill 139
Relating to: prohibiting the promulgation of certain rules concerning campaign financing by the Government Accountability Board.
By
joint committee for review of Administrative Rules.
To committee on Transportation and Elections.
Senate Bill 140
Relating to: creating an individual income tax checkoff for contributions to elementary and secondary education, shared revenue, and Medical Assistance, and making an appropriation.
By
Senators
Wanggaard, Moulton and Lasee; cosponsored by Representatives Bernier, Brooks, Jacque, Litjens, Thiesfeldt and Wynn.
To committee on Public Health, Human Services, and Revenue.
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The committee on Financial Institutions and Rural Issues reports and recommends:
Schmalz, Charles,
of Appleton, as a member of the Savings Institutions Review Board, to serve for the term ending on May 1, 2012.
Confirmation.
Ayes, 4 - Senators
Schultz, Kapanke, Lassa and Vinehout.
Spitz
, Thomas ,
of Sun Prairie, as a member of the Banking Review Board, to serve for the term ending May 2, 2016.
Confirmation.
Ayes, 4 - Senators
Schultz, Kapanke, Lassa and Vinehout.
Noes, 0 - None.
Dale Schultz
Chairperson
State of Wisconsin
Legislative Audit Bureau
June 28, 2011
The Honorable, The Legislature:
As required under s.
13.94 (1)(dh), Wis. Stats., we have completed our annual financial audit of the Wisconsin Health Insurance Risk-Sharing Plan (HIRSP) Authority for 2010 and have provided an unqualified audit opinion on its financial statements. The HIRSP Authority provides medical and prescription drug insurance for individuals who are unable to obtain coverage in the private market or who have lost employer-sponsored group health insurance.
Enrollment in the state-based HIRSP Plan increased 15.8 percent to reach 18,965 as of December 31, 2010, and increased another 7.2 percent during the first four months of 2011. At least part of this increase is a result of reduced premiums and improved affordability.
Since its inception in 2006, the HIRSP Authority has maintained a sound financial position. Its net asset balance was $13.7 million as of December 31, 2010, which is slightly higher than its targeted balance of $12.6 million. However, in response to an unexpected increase in large medical claims and prescription drug costs, the HIRSP Authority is increasing most policyholder premium rates for the state-based HIRSP Plan by 15.0 percent effective July 1, 2011.
In July 2010, as part of federal health care reform efforts, the federal government contracted with the HIRSP Authority to operate a temporary high-risk insurance pool for individuals who are uninsured because of pre-existing medical conditions. The HIRSP Federal Plan had enrolled 307 policyholders at the end of 2010 and is expected to operate until 2014. The federal government funds costs in excess of the premiums collected from policyholders.
We appreciate the courtesy and cooperation extended to us by the HIRSP Authority, the plan administrator, and the pharmacy benefit manager.
Sincerely,
joe chrisman
Interim State Auditor
__________________
State of Wisconsin
Department of Administration
June 30, 2011
The Honorable, The Legislature:
This report is transmitted as required by s.
20.002(11)(f), Wisconsin Statutes, (for distribution to the appropriate standing committees under s.
13.172(3), Wisconsin Statutes) and confirms that the Department of Administration has found it necessary to exercise the "temporary reallocation of balances" authority provided by this section in order to meet payment responsibilities and cover resulting negative cash balances during the month of May 2011.
On May 1, 2011, the Medical Assistance Trust Fund cash balance closed at a negative $197.9 million. This negative balance continued through May 31, 2011, when the fund's cash balance closed at a negative $301.2 million. The Medical Assistance Trust Fund cash balance reached its intra-month low of a negative $301.9 million on May 26, 2011.
On May 1, 2011, the Police and Fire Protection Fund cash balance closed at a negative $12.9 million (its intra-month low). This negative balance continued through May 31, 2011, when the fund's cash balance closed at a negative $8.9 million.
On May 1, 2011, the Democracy Trust Fund cash balance closed at a negative $901 thousand (its intra-month low). This negative balance continued through May 31, 2011, when the fund's cash balance closed at a negative $896 thousand.
On May 1, 2011, the Environmental Fund cash balance closed at a negative $10.9 million. This negative balance continued through May 31, 2011, when the fund's cash balance closed at a negative $11.6 million (its intra-month low).
The Medical Assistance Trust Fund, Police and Fire Protection Fund, Democracy Trust Fund and Environmental Fund shortfalls were due to the difference in the timing of revenues and expenditures, were not in excess of the statutory interfund borrowing limitations and did not exceed the balances of the funds available for interfund borrowing.
The distribution of interest earnings to investment pool participants is based on the average daily balance in the pool and each fund's share. Therefore, the monthly calculation by the State Controller's Office will automatically reflect the use of these temporary reallocations of balance authority, and as a result, the funds requiring the use of the authority will effectively bear the interest cost.
Sincerely,
mike huebsch
Secretary
Referred to joint committee on Finance.
__________________
Relating to licenses, certifications, and registrations.
Submitted by Department of Commerce.
Report received from Agency, June 29, 2011.
Referred to committee on Judiciary, Utilities, Commerce, and Government Operations, June 30, 2011
.
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The committee on Labor, Public Safety, and Urban Affairs reports and recommends:
Relating to late renewal and continuing education.
Modifications requested, Ayes 5, Noes 0.
Ayes, 5 - Senators
Wanggaard, Grothman, Lazich, S. Coggs and Wirch.
Noes, 0 - None.
Van Wanggaard
Chairperson
