Federal Budget Reconciliation Bill “Devastating” to Wisconsinites’ Access to Health Care, Food Assistance On Friday, July 4, the president signed the budget reconciliation bill (the One Big Beautiful Bill Act), which will increase red tape for FoodShare and Medicaid members and will force 270,000 Wisconsinites to lose health insurance by taking away necessary support for them to afford health care coverage. Gov. Tony Evers and Wisconsin Department of Health Secretary Kirsten Johnson released the following statements: “Republicans’ vote to cut popular programs like Medicaid will have a devastating…

(see release)

lucy.pepin

July 14, 2025

DHS Celebrates 15th Anniversary of Wisconsin’s Smoke-Free Indoor Air Law Saturday, July 5 marks the 15th anniversary of Wisconsin’s smoke-free indoor air law, and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is celebrating the ways it has protected and improved health of our state’s residents. “Whether working a shift at a local restaurant or heading out with family for a Friday fish fry, Wisconsinites and visitors to our state can rest easy knowing they won’t be exposed to secondhand smoke in public places,” said State Health Officer and Division of Public…

(see release)

lucy.pepin

June 30, 2025

Pregnant Wisconsinites Are Ensured Lifesaving Care The Wisconsin Department of Health Services wants to assure Wisconsinites that – under state and federal laws – hospitals must provide lifesaving care for pregnancies under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA), which includes providing abortion care when that is the necessary treatment. This clarification comes following a June 3 statement made by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to rescind July 2022 guidance on enforcing EMTALA as it relates to pregnancy….

(see release)

lucy.pepin

June 16, 2025

Wisconsin Department of Health Services Continues to Recommend Current COVID-19 Vaccine to Protect Against Severe Illness The Wisconsin Department of Health Services continues to recommend the current COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy and for every person 6 months and older to protect from serious COVID-19 illness and to prevent spreading it to others. The current COVID-19 vaccine is safe during pregnancy, and vaccination can protect women and their infants after birth. Newborns depend on maternal antibodies from the vaccine for protection. Wisconsin Medicaid will also continue to cover the current COVID-19 vaccine…

(see release)

lucy.pepin

June 3, 2025

DHS Highlights Impact of Federal SNAP Changes on Wisconsinites Early this morning, the United States House of Representatives passed the budget reconciliation bill with a set of proposals to cut funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), costing Wisconsin taxpayers approximately $314 million each year. The bill will now go to the United States Senate for consideration. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has started to analyze how these cuts would impact all Wisconsinites, including taking food away from families…

(see release)

lucy.pepin

May 22, 2025

DHS Honors Wisconsin Health Care Providers with the Wisconsin BigShot Awards The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has announced its annual Wisconsin BigShot awards, celebrating 90 Wisconsin health care providers for protecting children’s health by ensuring they are up to date on childhood vaccinations, including measles, pertussis, meningitis, and HPV. “Vaccines continue to be the safest and most effective way to prevent many of the diseases that used to cause serious illnesses and deaths,” said State Health Officer Paula Tran. “These awards celebrate the…

(see release)

lucy.pepin

April 22, 2025

New Data Show Congenital Syphilis Increasing in Wisconsin While Other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) Decrease This STI Awareness Week, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is sharing new data to help public health and health care leaders focus prevention efforts and support the sexual health of all Wisconsinites. According to new preliminary 2024 Wisconsin STI surveillance data, STI rates are decreasing overall but continue to be high throughout the state. In 2024, DHS received 31,576 reports of STIs (syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia). Of these infections, over half were reported in…

(see release)

lucy.pepin

April 15, 2025

DHS Highlights Impact of Federal Budget Cuts on Wisconsin Medicaid Members With the U.S. House of Representatives proposing $880 billion in cuts to the federal budget, substantial impacts to Medicaid and other health programs are unavoidable. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has started to analyze how these cuts might impact Medicaid members and providers in our state, including shifting costs to Wisconsin, slashing the Medicaid budget, making services harder to access for working adults, and increasing costs to Wisconsin taxpayers. “Wisconsin’s…

(see release)

lucy.pepin

April 9, 2025

Wisconsin Underage Tobacco and Vape Sales Decreased in 2024 The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) reports a decrease in the rate at which tobacco and vape retailers sold to underage consumers last year, with annual data showing a decline from 13.6% in 2023 to 11.8% in 2024. These results come from the Synar Survey, an annual statewide assessment of the retailer violation rate. In 2019, the rate was 5.5% and reached its highest point in 2021 when the rate was 14.1%. “We are glad to see a decline in overall sales of tobacco and vape products to…

(see release)

lucy.pepin

March 21, 2025

Gov. Evers Makes Critical Investments in Health Care Coverage and Access Today, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) highlights critical portions of Gov. Evers’ 2025-27 DHS budget proposal, which was introduced February 18, 2025. “Building on his declaration of 2025 as the Year of the Kid, Governor Evers’ budget supports health kids, families, and communities across the state,” said DHS Secretary Kirsten Johnson. “This budget makes critical investments in public health, health care access and coverage, mental health, and long-term care, prioritizing the…

(see release)

lucy.pepin

March 4, 2025