Wisconsin Senate Bill SB152

Wisconsin 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/21/25
• Refer: 3/21/25
• Report Pass: 5/5/25
• Engrossed: 6/18/25
• Refer: 6/20/25
• Enrolled: 6/25/25
• Chaptered: 8/11/25
• Passed: 8/11/25

Caption

An Act to repeal 46.87 (5m); to amend 46.87 (5) (a) 3. and 46.87 (5) (b) of the statutes; Relating to: financial eligibility for the Alzheimer’s family and caregiver support program. (FE)

Summary

SB152 would change Wisconsin’s Alzheimer’s family and caregiver support program by removing the current income-based financial eligibility test. Under current law, a household is eligible only if the joint income of the person with irreversible dementia and their spouse, if any, is $48,000 per year or less. The bill repeals that requirement, which would allow more families to qualify for assistance regardless of income. The bill also makes conforming changes to the program’s service provisions so that references to financial eligibility continue to point to the now-repealed subsection. The underlying program remains in place: the Department of Health Services would still allocate funds to local agencies to help eligible families obtain goods and services related to the care of a person with Alzheimer’s disease or another irreversible dementia, including certain individuals in residential facilities and, where applicable, those not eligible for family care benefits in counties with care management organizations.

Impact

SB152 would amend s. 46.87 of the Wisconsin statutes by repealing subsection (5m), which contains the program’s income cap, and updating related references in subsections (5)(a)3. and (5)(b). The practical effect is to broaden access to the Alzheimer’s family and caregiver support program by eliminating the $48,000 joint-income threshold for spouses and individuals with irreversible dementia. This could increase the number of households eligible for state-supported caregiver assistance and potentially increase program costs and demand for services.

Sentiment

No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no direct evidence of debate or formal support/opposition in the materials supplied. Based on the bill’s structure, the measure appears to be framed as an access-expanding change for families caring for people with Alzheimer’s disease or other irreversible dementias. The absence of recorded opposition or amendments in the provided context suggests the bill’s public-facing rationale is straightforward and policy-driven rather than highly contentious in the available record.

Contention

The main policy issue is whether the state should continue limiting the Alzheimer’s family and caregiver support program by household income. Supporters would likely argue that caregiving needs are substantial regardless of income and that removing the cap better aligns aid with need. Potential critics may focus on fiscal impact, arguing that eliminating eligibility limits could expand enrollment and strain program funding or shift resources away from lower-income families. Another possible point of contention is whether universal eligibility is the best use of limited state dollars for dementia-related support.