Gov. Tony Evers said Tuesday night that his administration will issue a standing order to make over-the-counter contraceptives available to BadgerCare Plus patients, adding to Wisconsin's response to address “significant” mental health issues. revealed plans to strengthen the
Evers' announcement was made during the State of the Union address at the Capitol. Republican lawmakers' latest abortion ban proposals, Evers swore a veto. He announced that he will direct the Department of Health Services (DHS) to issue a standing order that BadgerCare Plus can be treated as a prescription to cover over-the-counter contraceptives, including emergency contraceptives.
This decision is partly a response to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration First daily oral contraceptive pill recently approved Can be used without a prescription. The tablets will be available online and in stores later this year. BadgerCare Plus, Wisconsin's Medicaid program for low-income families, currently covers over-the-counter emergency contraception and daily contraceptives, but requires a prescription from a health care provider.
“Everyone in Wisconsin should have access to the health care they need, when they need it. And yes, that includes birth control,” Evers said in prepared remarks. “Once this contraceptive is on the shelves, BadgerCare Plus customers will be able to get the contraceptives they need at any pharmacy. Pharmacies will process coverage using DHS standing orders. That person can walk out of the pharmacy with the medication they need without paying out of pocket.”
Evers again urged Republican lawmakers to take action to expand postpartum Medicaid coverage from the current 60 days to one year after birth.Wisconsin is 1 of 4 states The United States has not accepted and has no plans to expand postpartum Medicaid.
invoice – SB110 — A bill to accomplish this passed the Senate with near-unanimous support, but Congress did not take it up because: Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) disagrees. The bill has a growing list of co-sponsors in Congress, with the addition of Rep. Paul Merotic (R-Grafton) on Tuesday, bringing the total to 59.
“Pregnant women in Wisconsin up to a certain income level are eligible for BadgerCare Plus for the duration of their pregnancy and within 60 days after giving birth. It often takes more than a day,” Evers said. “Tonight, I am appealing to Republicans and Democrats to work together to get this bill across the finish line and to my desk this session. We must get this done. ”
Democrats and supporters I recently recommended it to Voss. They called for the bill to be allowed for a vote, saying it would help address poor birth outcomes and racial disparities in maternal health care in Wisconsin.
Mr. Evers also announced the creation of an interagency council on mental health to address what he called the ongoing crisis. City councils will be tasked with creating a statewide plan to address prevention. Raise awareness. Reduce prejudice. Ensure access and affordability of quality care. and build capacity to address mental health crises among caregivers, health care providers, and community partners.
“I said here last year that I was concerned that the state of mental health in Wisconsin was a silent, burgeoning crisis that, if left unaddressed, would cascade for generations. I still believe it will have a positive impact,” Evers said in prepared remarks.
In his State of the State address last year, Evers declared 2023 the “Year of Mental Health.” Reflecting on actions taken since then, he said some important work around mental health had been accomplished, including a budget passed by Republican lawmakers that allocated $30 million to the Get Kids Ahead program. He said he had signed. The initiative will provide funding to help Wisconsin public and independent charter schools build mental health services.
But Evers emphasized that there is still work to be done.
“We need to remind Congress that last year we requested more than $500 million to help expand access to mental and behavioral health services across the state, but only a fraction of that was approved. No,” Evers said. “It's been a year since we declared the Year of Mental Health, but as governor and as a grandfather, I tell you tonight that my concerns have not changed and my fears have not abated.”
According to the Office of Children's Mental Health (OCMH)'s most recent annual report, children in Wisconsin: Continue to address levels of extreme concern Anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicidal ideation are on the rise, especially among girls, children of color, and LGBTQ youth.
The report found that about 34% of Wisconsin high school students experience feelings of sadness or hopelessness most days, and the number of young people experiencing severe depression has increased to about 6 in 7, up from 1 in 7 last year. increased to Nearly half of LGBTQ youth in Wisconsin have seriously considered suicide, which is higher than the national rate.
“Our state's mental health challenges are serious. Let's do more to make a difference in 2024,” Evers said. “We have to.”
Aside from the statewide plan, the council also plans to review current programs, including those created using federal American Rescue Plan Act funds, and find ways to expand them and make them sustainable. is. It also develops additional proposals to address the root causes of the mental health crisis and develops partnerships to address mental health across state agencies and between local governments, school districts, courts, and other agencies. We also aim to strengthen the
Mr. Evers plans to issue an executive order establishing the council in the coming days.
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