An Act to amend 49.45 (39) (b) 1. and 49.45 (39) (b) 2. of the statutes; Relating to: payment for school medical services. (FE)
Summary
AB340 would increase the state reimbursement rate for certain school medical services from 60 percent to 100 percent of the federal share of allowable charges. The bill applies to school districts and cooperative educational service agencies that elect to provide school medical services, and it also applies to the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired and the Wisconsin Educational Services Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing through the Department of Public Instruction.
The bill also raises reimbursement for allowable administrative costs associated with those services from 90 percent to 100 percent of the federal share. Existing provisions allowing claims for common carrier transportation costs as a school medical service would remain in place, subject to federal policy, and the bill does not otherwise change the underlying eligibility or compliance requirements for receiving federal financial participation.
Impact
AB340 would amend Wisconsin Statutes section 49.45 (39) (b) 1. and 2. to require the Department of Health Services to fully reimburse eligible school medical service charges and administrative costs at 100 percent of the federal share, rather than the current partial reimbursement levels. The practical effect would be to shift more of the cost burden away from school districts, CESA agencies, and DPI-administered programs serving blind, visually impaired, deaf, and hard-of-hearing students, while increasing state reimbursement obligations. The bill is fiscal in nature and would affect school-based Medicaid-related billing and reimbursement practices.
Sentiment
The available context suggests generally favorable treatment of the bill as a funding increase for school-based health services, but there is limited evidence of debate because no committee transcript or vote record is provided. The bill was introduced with broad bipartisan-style sponsorship across many Assembly members and senators, which suggests support for the policy goal of expanding reimbursement for schools and related educational service agencies. However, the bill ultimately failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1, indicating it did not clear the legislative process despite its introduction.
Contention
The main point of contention is likely fiscal: AB340 would require DHS to reimburse a larger share of school medical service costs and administrative expenses, increasing state expenditures. Any concerns would center on the budgetary impact, the use of state funds to cover school-based medical services, and whether full reimbursement is warranted versus the existing partial reimbursement structure. No specific objections or amendments are included in the provided record, so the exact sources of opposition are not documented here.
Requires the executive office of health and human services to apply to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for a state plan amendment for reimbursement for health services in a school.
Requires the executive office of health and human services to apply to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for a state plan amendment for reimbursement for health services in a school.
Kids' Access to Primary Care Act of 2025This bill modifies payments for Medicaid primary care services. Specifically, the bill applies a Medicare payment rate floor to Medicaid primary care services that are provided after the date of enactment of the bill and extends the payment rate to additional types of practitioners (e.g., obstetricians).The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must conduct a study on the number of children enrolled in Medicaid, the number of providers receiving payment for primary care services, and associated payment rates before and after the bill's implementation.
Reaffirming Wisconsin’s commitment to the strengthening and deepening of the sister ties between the State of Wisconsin and Taiwan; reaffirming Wisconsin’s support for the Taiwan Relations Act; supporting Taiwan’s signing of a Bilateral Trade Agreement with the United States; and continuing support for increasing Taiwan’s international profile.